Anticipatory Actions and Disaster Risk Reduction Program – Kalutara District Vivekananda Tamil Vidyalaya, Maragahadenia, Baduraliya

Kalutara District is the most disaster prone district in the Western Province. Baduraliya Divisional Secretariat of Kalutara District is an area prone to natural disasters such as landslides and floods due to geologic reasons and The Kalutara District Branch of the National Building Research Organization has identified Maragahadeniya, Baduraliya Vivekananda Tamil Vidyala premises and nearby area as a moderately disaster sensitive area.

Therefore, Provincial Climate Unit of the Western Province organized an awareness program for school children and parents about disaster risk reduction and anticipatory actions to be taken in such a situation at Baduraliya Vivekananda Tamil Vidyalaya, Maragahadenia, on 05.11.2024. This program was organized with the intention of educating the people living in high risk prone areas of the province due to impacts of the climate change regarding adaptations to climate impacts and disaster risk reduction.

Participants to the program were provided a practical training on how to evacuate a disaster site in an emergency through an evacuation drill. Furthermore, they were made aware on the impact of climate change, the importance of waste management, landslide hazard- risk identification and mitigation measures, identification & mapping of hazard prone areas and validation.

The panel of Resource personnel contributed to this program comprised of Mr. Sumudu Silva –  Institutional Officer of Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Mr.Dhanushka – Kalutara District Officer of the National Building Research Institute, Mrs. Niranja Jayasena – Kalutara District Manager of Western Province Waste Management Authority, Mr. Menaka Wijesinghe – Senior Technical Advisor of Save the Children Organization, Mr. Nimal Silva – Program Officer of Sri Lanka Red Cross and Mr. Chandimal of Kalutara District Disaster Management Unit.

Provincial Climate Unit of the Western Province is planning to provide much needed guidance and support to Maragahadeniya, Baduraliya Vivekananda Tamil Vidyala for the implementation of effective Waste management system and disaster migratory measures in collaboration with the stakeholders of the unit such as GGGI, NBRO, WMA in consultation with the Provincial Climate Board.