Zurich Flood Resilience Programme - Entrepreneur
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Authors
Jodi Sugden
Issue Date
2016-03
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Disasters
Alternative Title
Abstract
Practical Action is proud to be a member of the 'Global Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance', which aims to save the lives and livelihoods of the most poor by preventing floods from becoming disasters. The Insurance firm Zurich has brought together a wide and diverse range of organisations and experts with the aim over 5 years to enhance flood resilience in 15 communities in at least three countries and directly improve the livelihood of 100,000 individuals. The alliance aims to become global leaders in enhancing community resilience to floods both in terms of technical knowledge and practice. Practical Action provides technical innovation on the ground in challenging environments, as well as the mechanisms for sharing learning from those innovations. We also have a robust track record in disaster preparedness activities. Our involvement will therefore help to strengthen and refine the alliance and its ability to support vulnerable communities. Our approach is guided by our Vulnerability to Resistance framework. This framework sets out key factors that contribute to peoples' vulnerability: exposure to hazards and stresses; fragile livelihoods; future uncertainty; and weak governance. It provides detailed explanations of the linkages between these factors as well as ideas for action to strengthen resilience. In Bangladesh, the project has implemented an end-to-end Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) in several local communities. The project has helped locals to monitor the river levels. The pictures show a gauge reader who is a volunteer who manually and visually measures the height of the water using a wooden gauge. His work is informed by a weatherboard which helps to predict the water levels. The gauge reader also works in conjuction with a local entrepreneur. This man has made a flood forecasting website which produces flood warnings and agricultural advice. It gives the community 3-5 days warning before heavy rainfall. There is also a Community Disaster Management Committee (CMDC) who are trained to have detailed plans and maps of their villages' capacity during a flood - resources, vulnerable areas and vulnerable people at risk during an emergency. The CMDC has an emergency shelter and equipment such as life jackets to keep their community safe.