Forecast Based Anticipatory Action (FbAA)

Project Overview:

The project aimed to enhance the community’s resilience through several key interventions:

1. Early warning systems: Communication of the forecast from LEOC to CDMC so that CDMC could act beforehand the disaster occurred.
2. Community Training: Conducting workshops to educate villagers, CDMC members on interpreting early warnings, emergency preparedness, and response strategies
3. Infrastructure Development: Strengthening River embankments to create temporary flood barriers with the extensive use of bioengineering to protect homes and farmland from floodwaters.
4. Emergency Preparedness: Preparing go-bags with the essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medical kits in strategic locations for quick distribution during emergencies.

Project Objectives

• Enhance community resilience and disaster preparedness through the development of key systems, including SOPs, contingency plans, and warehouse management
• Integrate DRR measures in school curricula
• Promote Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programs
• Establish climate-resilient livelihood systems
• Embed these initiatives into local government plans to ensure long-term sustainability

Key Project Outcomes:

The successful implementation of the anticipatory action significantly improved the community’s resilience. The villagers were better equipped to handle flood, and the reduced damage helped them recover more rapidly. The positive outcomes have inspired other communities within Jhapa to adopt similar approaches, demonstrating the effectiveness of forecast-based anticipatory action in enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience.