Disaster Risk Reduction  Project:

The project area is situated in Sandeshkhali II Block under the district of North 24 Parganas. Sandeshkhali is surrounded by the rivers like Raimangal, Kalagachi, Choto Kalagachi etc. 90% of land of this block is three to six fit below from the sea level. So it is considered as one of the disaster prone blocks in the District of North 24 Parganas. The area is documented as one of the most disaster prone district of West Bengal by different government and non-governmental sources. An attempt was made to rate this district, using vulnerability matrix of West Bengal districts. It was revealed that this district belongs to in between high vulnerability and extreme vulnerability.

The aim of this project is to change the mind set among the vulnerable people and enhance capacity of the community to cope with disasters and enable Community to access Government Resources for Disasters Mitigation- so that loss of lives and livelihoods in times of disasters may be minimized.

Objectives

Reduce community vulnerability caused by recurrent Cyclone & Flood and  Enhance livelihood option among the most vulnerable population in 25 Gram Sansads in 4 most vulnerable Gram Panchayets namely Sandeshkhali, Jeliakhali, Bermajur I & Bermajur II under Sandeshkhali II blocks in the district of North 24 Parganas, Sundarbans.

Achievement:

• Building up good relationship with the PRI members and targeted families of project areas.
•  Community people identified there hazard, risk, vulnerability, capacity through the Participatory Learning and Action  and  prepaid the Plan of Actions for disaster mitigation.
• 12 farmers groups have been formed with 178 marginal farmers and they are taking initiative for linkage with ADA (Assistant Director of Agriculture) of Sandeshkhali  Block II
• 80% of women regularly participating  keeping of FSK (Family Survival Kit) during monsoon period.