Disasters are taking a toll on human lives around the globe, with severe implications for society, the economy and the environment. Disasters and environmental degradation create serious problems around the world and are inherently linked. Some disasters occur due to natural causes, while others can be worsened or triggered by human activities. Irrespective of how a disaster occurs, all disasters have negative impacts on the environment, and in turn impact negatively on society.
The effective management of the environment can lead to securing of ecosystem services such as clean water from watersheds and fisheries from the oceans and wetlands which will increase the resilience of the community to withstand the impacts of disasters and reduce their vulnerability.
PROJECT NAME
Green Recovery Program – Bridging the Knowledge Gap and Linking Environmental Management with Disaster Risk Reduction
PROJECT STATUS
Concluded
LOCATION
Central and Uva Provinces
MULTI-SECTORAL NETWORKING AND KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION ON LANDSLIDES
In Sri Lanka, landslides are one of the most common disasters, with several events of different scales reported from various parts of the country each year, causing death, physical injury or displacement. Landslide events are also closely linked to environmental issues, such as the deforestation and clearing of land. In order to improve preparedness, as well as for mitigation and adaptation to landslides, multi-sectoral networking among humanitarian agencies is necessary. It is of utmost importance to bridge any existing gaps between technical, government and humanitarian organizations and communities.
Much of the landslide awareness has been carried out at the top level, and there remains much to be done at the community level, where many rural people live with the threat of disasters. The use of local knowledge in terms of both national technical organizations and communities is an effective method of addressing the challenges of landslides.
The Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL), together with American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Program, NBRO and the SLRCS branches in Matale and Badulla. initiated the landslide awareness programme for SLRCS staff, government, NGO and community members. Landslide and disaster-related materials were distributed to village resource centres.
