Disaster Risk Reduction & Heatwave Management

Health-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Planning – Progress

Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) strengthened community preparedness for health emergencies and climate-related disasters through Health-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiatives. SCF organized a series of training sessions to build local capacity in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and community health protection.

Through these efforts, more than 200 community members were trained on Health-Based DRR and emergency response mechanisms. The training focused on raising awareness about disaster risks, first response actions, community coordination during emergencies, and protecting vulnerable populations during health crises and climate-related disasters.

In addition, 30 community volunteers were selected and trained as Community Emergency Response Team members. These volunteers are now equipped to support communities during disasters by coordinating first response activities, assisting in emergency health support, and facilitating communication with local authorities and health facilities.

Community Response to Heatwave Management – Progress

Recognizing the increasing impact of urban and rural heatwaves linked to climate change, SCF also launched community-led heatwave awareness and response campaigns. These campaigns were conducted in District Sanghar, Hyderabad, and Matiari, where rising temperatures have increasingly affected vulnerable communities.

Through community mobilization, awareness sessions, and engagement with youth volunteers, the initiative reached over 3,000 people, providing guidance on heatwave prevention, hydration practices, protection of vulnerable groups, and early response measures.

The campaign also encouraged community participation and youth engagement in addressing heatwave risks. By strengthening awareness and preparedness, SCF aims to contribute to long-term community resilience and climate-responsive planning, ensuring that communities are better prepared to manage extreme weather events in the future.

Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction

Restoring Social Services and Climate Resilience Project

SCF has partnered with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to implement the "Restoring Social Services and Climate Resilience" project in Garho and Bijora, Union Councils in the district of Thatta. This project benefits 50,000 individuals by restoring health, education, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services. It includes infrastructure retrofitting, the promotion of climate-resilient livelihoods, and green electrification. The project also strengthens income and food security, while community training on climate adaptation and DRR enhances preparedness.

The VOs have been instrumental in implementing disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies at the village level. Through capacity-building workshops, awareness campaigns, and practical training sessions, community members have gained the skills needed to identify vulnerabilities, develop local contingency plans, and implement early warning systems. These efforts have strengthened the overall resilience of the communities, enabling them to respond more effectively to climate-related disasters and reduce their long-term vulnerability.

By covering 20 villages in the coastal regions of Bijora and Garho, SCF's initiative has created a model for disaster-resilient development that can be replicated in other vulnerable areas of Sindh. The formation and strengthening of VOs and COs have not only enhanced community preparedness but also fostered a sense of ownership and empowerment among local populations, ensuring that disaster resilience is embedded in the broader framework of sustainable development.

SCF remains committed to expanding these efforts, continuing to work with local stakeholders, government agencies, and international partners to build a resilient future for coastal communities in Sindh.

Community-Based DRR Committees

SCF has established 30 DRR committees across three Union Councils in Taluka Jam Nawaz Ali, District Sanghar and 20 DRR committees in District Thatta. Each village committee consists of 25 members, with two selected members joining the UC-level DRR committee. These committees focus on risk analysis, identifying threats, and developing strategies to address future crises. The committees also aim to foster linkages within the communities and establish roles for disaster preparedness and early warning.

Name of CI	# of CI	Male	Female	Total
Village Level DRR Committee	30	240	510	750

Development of Community-Led DRR Village Plans

SCF actively engaged all members of the DRR committees in each village and successfully developed 30 village-level DRR plans. These plans were formulated through rigorous community engagement, participatory exercises, and in-depth analysis conducted during the DRR training sessions. SCF also developed Village Development Plans in 7 villages of district Thatta.

The village-level DRR plans have been consolidated into Union Council (UC)-level DRR plans, ensuring a coordinated disaster management approach. Additionally, the DRR committees have been linked with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to strengthen future engagement in DRR and disaster management efforts. This connection will enable communities to respond effectively to potential disasters in the future.

School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Activities

Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) has been actively promoting school-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Sanghar and Thatta districts through comprehensive initiatives targeting both teachers and students. In collaboration with the Education and Literacy Department of Sindh, SCF conducted specialized teacher training sessions on School Disaster Management (SDM). These sessions equipped educators with the skills to identify local hazards, develop school preparedness and response plans, and ensure the safety of students and staff in the event of disasters. A key component of the training focused on integrating DRR practices into classroom activities and the broader school environment. In parallel, SCF organized child-focused DRR awareness sessions across schools in both districts, reaching over 3,000 students. These sessions covered key topics such as disaster risk reduction, climate change impacts, early warning systems, and preparedness strategies. To enhance understanding and retention, SCF developed and distributed a Sindhi-language DRR booklet for students and teachers. Students were also actively involved in school risk mapping and the creation of school safety plans, fostering a strong sense of ownership and preparedness. These interventions have significantly contributed to building a culture of disaster awareness and resilience among school communities in climate-vulnerable areas of Sindh.

Teachers' Training in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

In an effort to strengthen disaster preparedness and school safety, Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), in collaboration with the Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, conducted a Teachers' Training in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) at the Main Sindhi Primary School in Beerani, District Sanghar. The training aimed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate disaster risk management into school activities, ensuring a safer learning environment for students.

The training session began with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRR/M). Teachers were guided through an understanding of different types of disasters, their impact, and essential strategies for risk identification and response. The discussions emphasized the importance of preparedness, early warning systems, and immediate actions to minimize risks in school settings.

To facilitate student engagement, SCF introduced a Sindhi-language booklet titled "Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness for School Children." Designed with pictorial illustrations, the booklet covered key topics such as types of disasters, preparedness strategies, early warning mechanisms, climate change impact, and the role of teachers in school safety planning. Teachers received specialized training on how to use the booklet as a teaching tool, ensuring that students could grasp and apply disaster preparedness concepts effectively.

A significant component of the training was risk mapping and school safety planning. Teachers and students worked together to assess the vulnerabilities of their respective schools and develop customized school safety plans. Through interactive exercises, participants identified potential hazards and devised strategies for response and mitigation.

To reinforce learning, SCF facilitated quiz competitions in 15 schools, where 325 students (243 boys and 82 girls) participated. The competition tested their understanding of DRR/M and school safety concepts, with 90 students recognized as DRR/M and climate change champions for their exceptional grasp of disaster preparedness. By the end of the training, 25 teachers successfully completed the program, each outlining actionable steps to incorporate DRR into school curricula and activities. These teachers are now positioned to conduct awareness sessions for students and embed DRR principles into daily school routines, strengthening overall preparedness and resilience. Through this initiative, SCF reaffirmed its commitment to building disaster-resilient schools and empowering educators to create safer learning environments, ensuring that students are well-prepared to face future challenges.

SCF launches District Disaster Response Network

Sindh Community Foundation (SCF), with support from Pathfinder International, successfully trained 102 young people, aged 18 to 29, from 10 villages across Thatta, including coastal areas, in first aid and emergency response skills. The initiative was conducted under SCF's ongoing SURMI Project, which focuses on climate resilience and youth empowerment.

Over the course of four three-day workshops, participants received hands-on training in CPR, bleeding control, burn management, electric shock response, and fire safety, alongside in-depth sessions on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation, and interpreting early warning systems.

"Communities are always the first responders during disasters," emphasized Javed Hussain, Executive Director of SCF, during the closing ceremony. "Training youth equips villages with immediate support mechanisms while creating a bridge with institutions like the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to enhance coordinated response and reduce risk."

Retired Commander Naeem Yousuf, the lead trainer, conducted rigorous drills and simulations, preparing the youth to respond effectively during climate-induced crises such as floods, cyclones, and heat waves now more frequent and intense in Thatta due to climate change.

Senior district officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner-I Ghulam Dastgeer, Assistant Commissioner Shakir Faheem, and Dr. Rahena from the District Health Department praised the initiative. They emphasized the growing urgency for community-based disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions like Thatta.

Humera Ali, SCF's Project Manager, and MB Khaskheli, Cluster Coordinator from Pathfinder International, appreciated the participants' commitment and energy. They highlighted the transformative potential of engaging youth in localized climate action and emergency response.

The culmination of the fourth training batch marked a significant milestone: the formation of the Youth Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response. The network consists of 29 trained young leaders—both male and female—who will now take on formal roles as community-based first responders, emergency educators, and local coordinators for DRR activities across Thatta.

This youth-led network is designed to engage young people in awareness, preparedness, and response actions for disasters and climate emergencies, while fostering stronger linkages between local communities and government disaster management systems. It represents a model for climate-adaptive, community-driven resilience—one that places youth at the forefront of building a safer, more prepared Thatta.

Strengthening local Community Based Disaster Management Response

Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) is systematically strengthening the local capacity of communities to manage disaster risks, respond effectively to emergencies, and reduce human and economic losses. In climate-vulnerable districts such as Thatta and Sanghar, where floods and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, SCF's approach prioritizes empowering communities as first responders rather than passive recipients of aid.

Through the formation and strengthening of Local Disaster Management Committees (LDMCs) and Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) groups at Union Council and village levels, SCF is building structured, community-led disaster preparedness systems. These committees are trained on early warning dissemination, evacuation planning, search and rescue coordination, first aid response, safe shelter management, and protection of vulnerable populations during emergencies.

SCF has also trained and operationalized Emergency Response Teams in six Union Councils of Sanghar and Thatta districts. 200 members (100 community members and 100 youth members). These teams are equipped with advanced knowledge and practical skills in emergency response management, rapid needs assessment, coordination with district authorities, and effective crisis communication. Their enhanced capacity enables immediate, organized action during floods and other climate-related disasters, significantly reducing response time and minimizing losses.

To reinforce preparedness at the grassroots level, emergency response and early warning kits containing essential life-saving items were formally handed over to the respective Local Disaster Management Committees and community representatives. These kits are strategically placed within communities to ensure rapid mobilization when alerts are issued. The official handover process strengthened ownership, accountability, and local responsibility for managing emergency resources.

By combining institutional strengthening, specialized training, and the provision of practical tools, SCF ensures that communities are not only informed about disaster risks but are fully equipped to act swiftly and independently.

This integrated capacity-building model improves coordination between communities and district disaster management authorities, enhances communication channels, and strengthens response timelines. As a result, communities are better prepared to minimize damage, protect vulnerable households, safeguard livelihoods, and take immediate action during emergencies.

SCF's work reflects a strategic shift from reactive disaster relief to proactive, community-centered disaster risk reduction—building resilience from the grassroots and ensuring that local people lead preparedness and response efforts when disasters strike.