1. People from 60 new flood prone villages, situated at the mid-zone of river Ganges and Padma near India-Bangladesh border, were identified for CBDP training. These villages were selected in consultation with PRI members, Government officials, and on our experience.
2. To compare the pre and post CBPP Intervention, vulnerability reduction and capacity enhancement, village level surveys have been conducted in all the 60 villages.
3. Capacity Building Programmes have been organised for PRI members at Panchayat Levels. The Panchayat Pradhans and elected members of Tentulia, Barshimul, Jugolkishore and Bahirgachhi Gram Panchayats participated in this programmes.
4. CASA, as an active member of the District Level Disaster Management Committee participated in various government programmes on CBPP and also sent resource persons to CBDP Programmes organised in different Panchayats and Blocks.
5. CASA attended the Public Hearing Programme and “Right to Food” and “Right to Work” by the District Level NGO Network where CASA is on the advisory board.
6. CASA also participated in a national level workshop on CBDP organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in New Delhi for formulation of future strategies at the national level.
7. The DMTF volunteers and Site Leaders of CASA facilitated a Mock Drill during a Disaster Risk Management Programme by the Panchayat at Bhagabangola-I Block in Murshidabad District.
8. DMTF members of Naya Mukundapur catchment area organised a Blood Donation Camp at Khodarampur village.
   

CHALLENGES

1. To involve and make the local community participate in CBDP Programme.
2. Encourage thewomen of Murshidabad (with 86% Muslim population) in CBDP Programmes.
3. Toconduct CBDP programme for people left with no means of livelihood following severesoil erosion and submergence of their land under the Ganges and Padma rivers.

IMPACT

1. Panchayats, Blocks and District Administration are showing greater concern to mitigate future disasters.
2. Panchayats as well as the Blocks have enlisted the DMTF members in their list of resource persons.
3. SHGs of various villages have gathered sound knowledge of building linkages with different Banks.
4. The trained DMTF members are duly recognised and the Government has issued them Identity Cards.
5. A good number of women volunteers have joined the DMTF teams.

LESSONS LEARNT

1. Clarity of programme amongst the villagers ensures its success.
2. Empowerment of villagers encourages them to participate and own the programmes.
3. Communicated can be motivated by offering ownership of the programmes.
4. Motivating the youth makes the programmes more purposeful, easy and effective.
5. Regular communication with Government authorities have increases their interest in the programmes.
6. haring of knowledge and skills of villagers is fruitful for their full participation in the programmes.
7. The PRA/PLA approach with the community, and networking and advocacy with the PRI and government authorities can be used as a main tool in the development process.