Empowering First Responders:
Sri Lanka Boosts Disaster Preparedness with CADRE Training

Sri Lanka is ramping up its disaster preparedness efforts with a significant step toward community resilience, as 26 volunteers completed the Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE) training. Held from October 9th to 11th, 2024, at the Sri Lanka School of Military Engineering in Embilipitiya, the training equips local volunteers with essential skills to act as first responders in disaster situations, reinforcing the country's ability to cope with its high disaster risk.

Sri Lanka faces frequent natural hazards, including floods, landslides, and cyclones, which have devastating impacts on communities. Timely and effective disaster response is critical to minimizing loss of life and property, and community volunteers often play a crucial role in this effort. The CADRE program, part of the larger "Sustainable National Anticipatory Action through Preparedness (SNAP)" initiative in South Asia, is designed to train these local heroes, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to act swiftly and safely when disaster strikes.

The CADRE training, developed under the Program for the Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER), is a comprehensive program that covers a wide range of topics. Participants learn about identifying common hazards, ensuring personal and family safety, organizing emergency responses, providing medical care, and assisting professional responders. This holistic approach ensures that volunteers are well-prepared to handle real-world emergencies with confidence and competence, providing reassurance to the communities they serve.

The 26 graduates, representing diverse organizations such as the Disaster Management Center (DMC), Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, National Youth Corps, and other community networks, are a testament to the inclusivity and community-driven nature of the CADRE program. They will now take their newly acquired skills back to their communities, playing instrumental roles as first responders and strengthening local disaster response systems, making communities more resilient to future disasters.

Given Sri Lanka's vulnerability to natural hazards, this initiative is timely and essential. By empowering community volunteers through hands-on training, the CADRE program not only builds individual capacities but also enhances the nation's collective resilience. The collaboration between the DMC, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), and USAID/BHA underscores the importance of investing in local capacities to foster long-term preparedness and mitigate the risks posed by natural hazards.

In a world where the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly severe, Sri Lanka’s proactive approach to disaster risk reduction is a beacon of hope. Through continued efforts like the CADRE program, the nation is better prepared to face future challenges, protecting lives and livelihoods across the country.