The JWF is conducting a human resources development project to strengthen community disaster preparedness in Kolkata, India. The project is carried out in collaboration with a local NGO, Society for Equitable Voluntary Actions (SEVA), supported by the 11th TOTO Water Environment Fund.
Background
Asian cities including India are highly prone to various water-related disasters such as torrential rain, flooding, drought, land erosion and typhoon. They have considerable impacts on the lives of individuals and urban socio-economic infrastructure. Meanwhile, we have seen the frequency and the extent of damage of such water-related disasters keep rising due to global climate change and urbanization along with population growth. Therefore, we consider that it becomes ever more important to encourage local communities to understand the risk in the context of rehabilitating areas affected by disasters and its prevention. Furthermore, it is also crucial to launch self-supporting and cooperative schemes.
In order to tackle such issues, the JWF supported the project of human resources development for community disaster preparedness in Kolkata, India by means of the JWF Fund 2014.
For more information, please see:
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/what_we_do/pages/grass_roots/jwf_funds/2014/doc/2_4.pdf
In 2016, the JWF countries to implement the project for investigating the current situation of slums, awareness-raising of local communities, and environmental improvement.
Outline of the Project
1) Title
Human Resources Development Project through Awareness-raising and Improving Water Environment in Slums
2) Country/ Area
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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| India | West Bengal |
3) Period
June, 2016 – March, 2017
4) Local Partner
Society for Equitable Voluntary Actions (SEVA)
http://www.sevakolkata.org/
5) Problems in Project Area
Kolkata is one of the world’s top densely populated cities, and it has the Hooghly River. The city has fluvial geomorphologic features naturally prone to flooding. However, the frequency of flooding is increasing due to changes in the amount and pattern of rainfall. Their deteriorated and undeveloped drainage system hinders proper draining in the entire area of the city. The consequence is worsening the flood damage including the loss of lives, housing, living environment and sanitation system.
Slum areas composing one third population of Kolkata are some of the most vulnerable to flooding and cyclones because of its housing built with fragile construction materials, weak social structure, and the geographical nature of their housing developed along water channels.
6) Activities of the Project
- Baseline survey,
- Community dialogue,
- Cleaning activities by the local youth and adults,
- Learning activities on water, sanitation and water-related disasters for the youth,
- Information gathering and transmission using mobile phone,
- Production of the outputs (e.g. short film) by the youth,
- Community awareness activities using the outputs,
- Presentation of the outcomes to stakeholders in India, and
- Briefing session for the project in Japan.
7) Expected outcome
- Raise the awareness about flooding and their living environment,
- Local residents will learn about flooding and their living environment,
- Local residents will acquire the knowledge about the prevention of flood damage and the method of reducing its impacts, and
- Improving the local water-related environment.
Photographs
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| The current situation of a local water channel | Door-to-door visit to a local resident for baseline survey |
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| Information gathering by mobile phone | Awareness activity using a poster made by the youth |
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to TOTO LTD., the JWF Members and all for your understanding and cooperation. We appreciate your continued support and encouragement.
The project is supported by the TOTO Water Environment Fund.
(Reported by Sae Ishihara)
