Role of education in rebuilding lives from disasters

1. Role of education in rebuilding lives from disasters Shailaja, R and Kartikeya V. SarabhaiCentre for Environment Education (CEE) Ahmedabad , India

2. Natural disasters and sustainable development • Natural disasters in India have increased the risks of communities - the poor in recent years. • Sustainable development and disaster risk management are mutually supportive goals. • ESD plays a major role in disaster risk reduction to reduce the losses and also in the reconstruction process.

3. CEE Initiatives • Rebuilding Hope - Initiated following the earthquake in Gujarat in the Western India in 2001 - stability and sustainability phase • Rebuilding Lives - Initiated in the Southern India in 2005, following the devastation by the Asian tsunami on 26th December 2004 - rehabilitation phase • Rebuilding Trust - Initiated in Jammu and Kashmir in the Himalayan region following the earthquake on 8 October 2005 - recovery phase

4. Reconstruction interventions Major interventions addressed • Shelter, Livelihood, Water-sanitation and health, Disaster preparedness Stakeholders addressed • Communities, Governmental agencies, Non-governmental agencies • Donors, Educational institutions and youth, Development professionals. CEE has cautiously tried to integrate the principles and the processes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in all these interventions.

5. Approaches adopted • Meetings and focus group discussions • Short term skill and leadership trainings to communities - women in particular • Demonstrations of sustainable technologies and practices • Long term training for young development professionals • Development of information support system, mobile exhibitions, various EE materials • Coordination and networking • Advocacy

6. Tsunami reconstruction A case study 20 villages covering 8 agricultural villages and 12 fishing villages

7. The impact of tsunami Land affected : 650 hectares Soil recovery period : 3 years Habitat destruction: Shore line erosion, Sea water intrusion, flat sand bars, decrease in marine resources Population affected: About 80% Deaths: More than 500 people People displaced : More than 5000 Estimated loss: More than INR 60 corers or 12.5 million $

8. The changing scenario • Emergency response from Central and State governments, Civil societies, International agencies for relief and rehabilitation activities. • Lack of consideration of the concept of sustainable development has resulted in several unsustainable practices changing socio economic structure and also the resource base. • Efforts to restore livelihood of fishermen have resulted in enormous increase in boats and gears leading to over exploitation of marine resources • Catamarans are displaced by Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats due to the perception of donors that catamarans are primitive which are finely evolved safe crafts made of soft wood, unsinkable and good for surf beaten coasts • With dwindling marine resources and increasing fishing craft, further erosion will lead to unsustainable livelihoods • In India, unsustainable interventions in disaster management programmes have disturbed the socio-economic conditions of communities, created disparities and put pressure on the natural resources thus increasing environmental vulnerability.

9. Integration of ESD in reconstruction interventions The objectives • To rebuild hope and confidence in affected people to cope up with and recover from the shocks and trauma of disasters • To strengthen the role of communities to enhance community participation • To influence decisions makers through advocacy for effective policies • To sensitize donors to the need for medium term and long-term goals and continued support to achieve the goals of sustainable development • To network with stakeholders to exchange information and experiences, and better coordination of rebuilding efforts to promote efficient resource use

10. The programme plan • Rapid need assessment to analyse the situation pre and post tsunami • Planning process and practices leading to Sustainable Development. • Identifying educational interventions • Integrating ESD in the plan as a toll to promote SD

11. Reclamation of water bodies Canals / ponds have been desilted, bunded and planted involving community • It has provided livelihood for the affected agricultural families • It has demonstrated draining of flood water to sea and improvement in the irrigation efficiency Reclamation of water bodies today has become a regular activity in these villages from the point of flood control and soil water conservation leading to Sustainable Development

12. Livelihoods Land reclamation salt tolerant paddy cultivation, green manure gypsum application improved seed production and storage technique demonstrations have motivated the farmers to adopt these techniques and speeding up recovery process. Awareness, Meetings and discussions, field demonstrations, skill training, liaison/advocacy with the agricultural department are some of the methods used.

13. Alternate livelihood Facilitating and promoting land and sea based alternate livelihood options for medium and long term food security and livelihood sustainability leading to improved economic conditions and quality of life Activities Jellyfish processing, Manufacturing of Incense sticks, Poultry farming, Seaweed cultivation, Crab flattening. This includes technical Support, Training and capacity building and also some infrastructure support

14. Housing • Multi-hazard proof, environmentally sound houses for safe living in an island • Hygienic disposal of excreta by providing toilets suitable to coastal conditions • Promoting smokeless and fuel efficient cook stoves to reduce indoor air pollution • Promoting waste (solid and liquid) management in the community to reduce ground water pollution • Capacity building to promote construction related livelihood options

15. Water and sanitation Awareness and education programme on health & hygiene practices with special reference to water and sanitation issues using door to door campaigns, demonstrations, simple hands on activities, training • for Schools emphasizing on the sanitation practices • for Community to motivate them to achieve total sanitation in their village • for women Self Help Group members to sustain the practices.

16. Disaster preparedness • These coastal areas are prone to frequent cyclones, storm surges, resulting in significant life, livelihood and property losses • Habitat degradation due to tsunami has also increased the vulnerability. • Preparing community in risk management will minimize the losses and sufferings, and help to speed up recovery and rehabilitation processes. • We plan to strengthen the roles and responsibilities of the local communities, local authorities and other stakeholders in risk reduction through Information, Education and Communication (IEC), planting shelter belts and habitat protection

17. Education for Sustainable Development One of the most difficult and important issues in rehabilitation is how do you help people without taking initiative away from them. It is very easy to come, intending to do good work and make a community which otherwise is entrepreneurial and full of life into a dependent community – Kartikeya Sarabhai • ESD has helped in planning rebuilding processes and disaster preparedness strategies for a sustainable future. • ESD has ensured integrated and community centered approaches thus building up a sense of ownership among people, ensuring self reliance, maximizing community relationships, tapping community knowledge and building local networks. • ESD is imperative for speedy and effective planning, coordination and implementation of immediate, medium and long term recovery and rehabilitation measures in an environmentally sound manner