“I express my gratitude to the HEA Ministry Sector, World Vision Bangladesh & BDPC for arranging ‘TOT Course on Disaster Management.’ Through this training I’ve learned disaster related definitions, I’ve gained and understanding of climate change issues and how disaster management relates to Education, Health, Livelihood and WASH sectors, and I’ve developed skills in presentation and training.” Mr. Ujjal Mondal, Project Officer (Disaster Management) of World Vision Bangladesh’s Assasuni Area Development Project
On August 18th, BDPC completed the development of a comprehensive training package on disaster management for World Vision Bangladesh (WVB). The package includes a handbook, three training modules and three flipcharts, each tailored to a different group of trainees (WVB field staff, community based organizations and volunteers, or local government disaster management committees (DMCs)). The package will be utilized by WVB’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs (HEA) sector to provide WVB staff and community people with the necessary skills to facilitate disaster risk management plans and activities at the field level. Two five-day Training of the Trainer (ToT) sessions were held to capacitate WVB staff in effective use of the training materials.
Developing the package: a multi-stakeholder process
Development of the training package commenced with participatory sessions to identify gaps in the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of WVB’s beneficiaries. This included WVB field staff, volunteers and community based organizations, and local government disaster management agencies.
On the basis of the KAP findings and a review of existing manuals, the content of the package was determined. Before finalizing the content, three validation sessions were held, one with the beneficiaries, one with WVB staff and one with national level disaster management practitioners.
After producing the draft package, field tests were conducted and feedback sought from participants. With input and validation from all stakeholders, BDPC was ready to print the training materials and present them to WVB staff members.
In two five-day ToT sessions, WVB staff became familiar with the contents of the package and learned useful techniques for community-level training. This has provided them with the necessary skills to conduct their own training sessions and courtyard meetings using the newly developed materials.
Bringing the benefits to the community
The HEA will be using the package to administer training sessions with local government DMCs, community based organizations and community volunteers throughout Bangladesh. Through WVB’s work, the knowledge contributed by BDPC will be disseminated to vulnerable communities across Bangladesh, enabling them to be better prepared for the hazards they face.
