©InfoLaxmi Koirala, 44, is a farmer from Kamal community. Most people from Laxmi’s community are poor and vulnerable to a number of disasters including river floods, fires and snakebites.
The community has faced these problems for many years without any knowledge or skills on how to prepare for disasters, even without basic pre-warning systems.
Then three years ago, the Nepal Red Cross started a community-based programme, to reduce the risk of disasters. Laxmi says: “Things changed when the disaster risk reduction programme came to Kamal. Before the programme started there was no co-ordination among us, we preferred to wait for others to try and solve our problems.”
A new approach
The disaster risk reduction (DRR) programme introduced a different approach to addressing disaster: it increased the ability of community members to be able to address their own common problems. Laxmi said: “The DRR unit encouraged the community to hold meetings and work together. We began to realise we could do a lot to solve our own problems.”
As part of the programme, a community committee was set up to prepare for and reduce the risk of disasters. The Red Cross gave 15,000 rupees [£200] to the committee fund for increasing economic activity within the community, by providing loans for income generating projects. Although this is a relatively small amount of money, in Nepal it can go a long way to making a difference to people’s lives.
Laxmi, who received a loan, says: “Before the DRR unit introduced the community fund, my economic status was very low and I was too poor to afford a loan from other places as the interest repayments were too high for me to afford.”
Rearing goats
“With the loan I bought two baby goats. Once both goats had matured, I sold one off at a profit,” Laxmi explains. “I have already repaid the loan and am continuing my animal rearing activities so I can generate more income and hopefully expand.” Laxmi has also received training from an organisation called Sahara Nepal, which teaches communities how to look after livestock.
“The Red Cross has made us aware that we can do things for ourselves,” Laxmi continues. “Now we have new skills and we work together as a community, co-ordinating with others where possible to get the most out of our efforts.
“Like others, I have had opportunities to participate in training in first aid and disaster management. My community has been strengthened, we have become very active and united, responding not just to our individual problems but also common problems.
“Our awareness about disasters and social harmony in our community has increased. Awareness is very important and without it there can be no success.”
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