Exploring the Role of Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CBDRM) Interventions in Disaster Preparedness, Response and Sustainable Development at Lower Chitral

Abstract

Chitral is a mountains region and its inhabitants primarily depend on agriculture, livestock, forests, stream water, centuries old glaciers and other natural resources for their survival. The climate change and variabilities in weather results in frequent droughts, torrential rains and devastating floods, decrease agriculture productivity, damage livestock, erase local cultural heritage, economic infrastructure and disrupting the lives and livelihoods of local communities. This paper aims to explore the role of community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) interventions of the Helping Hand for Relief and Development. The study used qualitative design, while the selection of sample was made conveniently using nonprobability sampling technique. Primary data was collected from a sample of 45 participants representing two different categories including members of the village disaster management committees (VDMCs) and general community, through in-depth interviews and FGDs. The collected data was passed through different phases and analyzed thematically to clarify the issue, uncover its different aspects and derive study findings. The study found that climate change has negative impacts on rural agriculture, culture heritage, economic infrastructure and lives of the local communities of Chitral. The CBDRM activities of the Helping Hand for Relief and Development have provided a solid framework for mainstreaming the local communities, enhance their capacity, strengthening resilience against the challenge in terms of adaptation, mitigation and response using a community based participatory model. The study suggests multidisciplinary research, awareness, community driven approach, development of synergies and promotion of climate governance to strengthen community resilience for effective response towards climate change related issues and promote sustainable development.