Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)

Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)

Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) is an approach and process of disaster risk management in which communities at risk are actively engaged in the identification, analysis, treatment, monitoring and evaluation of disaster risks in order to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance their capacities to prevent and withstand damaging effects of hazards. CBDRM contributes to progressive realization of safety, disaster resilience and development of all.
The program was officially started in 2014 in Maldives. Since then, the government and development partners have strengthened the resilience of many island communities. In 2018, CBDRM program has been modified and contextualized to cater the need of effective planning that intends to reduce local risks in a cost-effective approach for a geographically-isolated island communities in the country.

The current program includes:

Developing Island Disaster Management Plan

  • Island Disaster Management Plan is a all of community inclusive participatory process, where through participatory community risk assessment (Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment and mapping) a Community Disaster Risk Reduction plan is developed.
  • The plan will help identify Community Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities in Disaster Management, develop necessary SoPs that will guide disaster and emergency response in the community.
  • A two-year Community Disaster Management Action Plan is developed through this process.
  • To ensure all of community involvement, an all-inclusive community validation process is to follow before finalizing the plan. This includes participation of youth, children and women in the community.

Establish Community Disaster Management Committee and EOC

  • Based on the Island Disaster Management Plan a Community Disaster Management Committee would be established. The functions and responsibility of this committee would be elaborated in the Community DM Plan.
  • This committee would implement the CBDRM programme in the community. Providing guidance to the Programme focal point in programme delivery. The committee will produce quarterly reports of community CBDRM activities and share with NDMA.
  • During an emergency, members of this committee will take up the core functions of the Community Emergency Operations Center. The Community DM plan will outline the roles and responsibilities of the EoC.

Establish Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

  • The main purpose of Community Emergency Response Team is to establish community-based, trained emergency humanitarian responders in each island community who will take up immediate emergency response roles.
  • These teams will be managed at island level by the Local Island Councils / Community Disaster Management Committee.
  • CERT comprises of volunteers, trained in preventing any emergency from escalating into a major disaster. CERT members will undergo various response related trainings from CERT training partners; MRC, MNDF (FRS and Cost Guard) and Police.

Carry out Community Awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Carrying out community awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction is essential to keep the community prepared and ready in time of Emergencies and crisis. DRR education and awareness can save property and life, while at the same time increase community resilience.
  • Learnings from the Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment / Mapping are important information that the community be made aware of. Community should also be made aware of crucial information such as evacuation routes and safe shelters.
  • Making community more aware on mitigation and preparedness measures ensures risk informed community growth and development.
  • Through the CBDRM 2.0 programme, each community would be required to carry out at least one awareness activity every quarter.

Integration with other island level sectors (SEOP, Emergency SoPs)

  • Through the CBDRM 2.0 Programme, communities are encouraged to integrate DRR strategies and measures in all island level sectors.
  • These include ensuring Schools have necessary School Emergency Operations Plans in place, hospitals and/or health posts, other public offices and community institutions have the necessary Standard Operating Procedures in place.
  • The plan will help identify Community Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities in Disaster Management, develop necessary SoPs that will guide disaster and emergency response in the community.