As one of its strategy in building community resilience to future disasters, Caritas initiated Community led Risk Management TOT trainings in 15 wards of Matobo district. The strategy was part of the Complementary Livelihood related activities implemented by People Assisted (Pas) in the Lean season support programme. TOTs were used as drivers of change in all the operational wards of Matobo. The trainings promoted community engagement, risk assessment and drafting of the action plan. For Nobuhle Dube from ward 4 Ratanyane, Community Led Disaster Risk Management (CLDRM) rekindled lost hope of a good harvest hampered by recurrent droughts which engulfed the district for the past 3 years. ‘I didn’t attend the trainings, my friend a TOT from Ndabankulu capacitated me on the impact of small grain and early planting as a mitigatory strategy to food insecurity”.

Community LED DRM enables communities to identify problems affecting them and come up with solutions for those problems as well as preparing them for future disasters. “Community Risk assessment was an eye opener in ensuring that my planning for this agricultural season is on point.” “Small grain production was prioritized in my action plan and now it’s showing signs of a good harvest.” 

 Nobuhle Dube in her small grain field

“Timely preparedness before each agricultural season is very important, it give communities better yields especially under the unpredictable climatic conditions.” “l planted Tsholotsho beard which is favorable to our climatic conditions of Matobo, it is no affected by birds thanks to the advice l got from Community Led DRM TOT during risk assessment. Impacting people with skills and knowledge on how to mitigate risks and hazards strengthens community preparedness at household level.

Tsholotsho beard pearl millet planted as a mitigatory strategy to food insecurity

Community engagement in Building resilience to future disasters is unavoidable given the challenges that are related to climatic change.  The cascading approach has amplified community preparedness and resilience to future disasters.