Disaster Risk Reduction

Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction

Reliance Foundation takes a holistic approach to address the underlying risk factors to prevent and mitigate disaster impacts. For safer communities and institutions, Reliance Foundation aims to embed Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in local planning; equip cities and panchayats for hazard assessments, prevention and mitigation.  

These initiatives aim to integrate Village Disaster Management Plans (VDMPs) with Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for leveraging government resources for localised risk reduction. NbS are promoted to reduce hazard exposure and enhance sustainability through interventions such as mangrove plantations as bio-shields in the coastal region, drought-resilient fodder systems for livestock in arid regions, and the plantation of various shelterbelt species. 

In parallel, the programme emphasises climate-resilient livelihoods by leveraging knowledge resources to strengthen awareness and capacity around adaptive livelihood and crop protection practices, thereby enhancing community resilience, economic stability, and sustainability for long-term rural livelihoods.

Reliance Foundation integrates Disaster Risk Reduction by using both advanced GIS-based tools and community-led hazard, risk and vulnerability assessments. GIS analysis is used to create hazard line maps and digital elevation models that help simulate disaster scenarios and support planning efforts. These insights strengthen community understanding of risks and inform local decision-making.

At the last mile, disaster management planning is designed to be community-led, inclusive and participatory. Integrating these plans with development programmes ensures that DRR is mainstreamed into long-term community development.

Community-led Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HVRA): Using GIS-based macro-level HVRA, hazard line mapping and DEM models, communities participate in analysing historical disaster impacts and the evolving risk landscape. Through participatory rural appraisal techniques, communities assess their exposure to hazards, socio-ecological factors and the resulting vulnerabilities and resilience levels.

Village Disaster Management Plans (VDMPs): Insights from community-led HVRA processes are used to develop and update VDMPs. These plans document the village’s hazard history and current vulnerabilities, and outline preparedness measures to mitigate future risks. VDMPs serve as essential tools for both administration and communities during emergencies, providing clarity on resources and response mechanisms.

Integration into GPDP: Integration of Village Disaster Management Plans into Gram Panchayat Development Plans ensures that disaster risk reduction is embedded within local development priorities and budgeting processes. This alignment strengthens risk-informed governance by enabling communities to proactively address hazards while leveraging government schemes for resilient and sustainable development.

Nature-Based Solutions for DRR

Reliance Foundation promotes bio-shields and mangrove plantation as nature-based solutions to reduce communities’ exposure to hazards. These initiatives are community-owned and community-driven, bringing together experts, technology and local leadership to strengthen resilience.

The programme supports site-specific interventions such as creating bio-shields along ocean and riverbanks, which offer natural protection against cyclonic storms, tsunamis, high winds and soil erosion. Community-led mangrove nurseries, natural regeneration practices to address fodder scarcity in drought-prone areas, and ecosystem-based approaches are used to build socio-economic and environmental resilience.

Awareness on Climate Resilient Livelihoods

The programme places climate vulnerability at the core of its planning and village selection process, prioritising communities that are highly exposed to climate-induced disasters. All project villages are severely affected by risks such as erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, recurrent floods, and rising temperatures, which disrupt traditional livelihood systems and deepen poverty and inequality. Recognising that primary livelihoods are among the most impacted dimensions of climate change, Reliance Foundation emphasises resilience-building as a critical pathway to long-term recovery and economic stability.

Leveraging Reliance Foundation’s extensive outreach and its robust risk communication platform, the programme actively engages scientists, technical experts, and government officials on issues related to agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors during disasters. These partnerships enable RF-DM to translate climate and risk information into actionable insights for communities. Through targeted awareness generation and capacity-strengthening initiatives, the programme promotes climate-resilient livelihood practices that help communities anticipate, adapt to, and recover from climate shocks.

By integrating climate risk considerations into livelihood planning, the programme aims to secure economic stability for households, reduce long-term disaster impacts, and foster resilience that enables communities to withstand future climate uncertainties while safeguarding natural resources.