|
|
Vol. 4, No. 1 October 1998
| Editor's Corner | 
|
duryog nivaran...
Disasters & Livelihoods - Intermediate Technology Sri Lanka The Disaster Mitigation Programme of the Intermediate Technology Development Group, Sri Lanka is initiating work on livelihoods and disasters that will focus on the drought prone areas of the dry zone of Sri Lanka with the aim of ensuring water security to communities which are constantly affected by severe drought. The project will introduce appropriate technologies to enhance livelihood options, with particular emphasis on technologies for increasing food and water security for the marginalised communities of the area. The project will emphasise the bringing together of the experience of a variety of organisations working on drought related problems in Sri Lanka in order to work out combinations of practices which can increase food and water security. Among the objectives of the project is to test and demonstrate good practices which can reduce the degree of risk of drought. Sustainable development has been of vital interest in developing the project plan. The need for more sustainable approaches towards disaster mitigation, whereby risk is reduced, and affected communities have access to opportunity, skills and resources to safeguard and recover their livelihoods, is strongly felt by all actors engaged in disaster mitigation and development. Food, water and income security are key factors in a sustainable approach. Therefore, a new approach will include reviving and supporting the livelihoods of the affected communities, and will introduce mechanisms which can enhance the livelihood opportunities during normal times, so that the risk towards disasters, particularly slow-onset disasters, are reduced. The key resources in introducing such an approach will be the knowledge and skills already available within the communities living in disaster prone areas, and other local material resources. A combination of other factors such as updated information, organising skills, training, experiences and knowledge from elsewhere will compliment the available resources within the communities. The project will also have relevance to many other ITSL programmes as their work has been affected by the drought situation. (Publication and Video) The Duryog Nivaran video and publication on gender issues in disasters, titled South Asian Women: Facing Disasters, Securing Life was launched in Islamabad, Pakistan to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8th. The video documentary relates the stories of four South Asian women from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, portraying them as survivors and innovators as they face disasters such as cyclones, epidemics and civil conflict where their strength and determination help safeguard their communities and families. The book is based on the Duryog Nivaran outlook on disasters, which focuses on the "alternative perspective" -- that contrary to popular belief, disasters are an integral part of social development. It also maintains that the structures and relationships in society form gender relations which turn women in to victims. Both the publication and video are aimed at policy makers, practitioners of disaster management and the media, to influence policy decisions and to create awareness on disaster mitigation, with women assuming a more active role. The video and publication can be obtained from the Duryog Nivaran Secretariat.
|
To get announcements whenever this page is updated, please subscribe to adpc-announce-subscribe@egroups.com
by sending a blank email.
| Newsletter | Search Our Site | Forums | Disaster Links | Web Server Statistics | ADPC Home |
|
Information, Research & Network Support  Webmaster |
