Duryog Nivaran Secretariat c/o Janathakshan, No 5, Lionel Edirisinghe Mawatha, Kirulapone, Colombo 00500, Sri Lanka

Aims and Objectives

Aims

Duryog Nivaran aims to enhance community resilience across South Asia by addressing vulnerabilities to disasters and conflicts. Through collaborative efforts with regional organizations, rigorous research, and advocacy for innovative approaches, we strive to influence policy makers and promote sustainable development practices

Reduce the communities susceptibility to disasters and conflicts in South Asia

Integrate disaster mitigation guidelines into national development plans, akin togender and environmental issues.

Aims to change media portrayal of disasters to foster societal change and resilience.

Focus on research, advoacy, and netwoking to promote alternative perspectives on disaster managment.

Objectives

Capacity Building and Collaboration

Facilitate national and regional organizations across South Asia to enhance their capabilities in disaster mitigation and development. This will be achieved through collaborative information sharing, mutual learning from diverse experiences, and providing supportive networks that bolster each other’s activities.

Advocacy for Alternative Perspectives

Advocate for innovative approaches in disaster management by critically analyzing current interventions. Through rigorous research and practical demonstrations, Duryog Nivaran aims to challenge conventional paradigms and promote more effective strategies.

Influencing Decision Makers

Engage in targeted efforts to influence policy makers in government, donor agencies, and non-governmental organizations. By showcasing evidence-based practices and advocating for policy changes, Duryog Nivaran seeks to foster a more resilient and proactive approach to disaster preparedness and response across the region

Themes
Disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and strategies formulated at national and regional levels are often not aligned with the unique needs of the communities they aim to assist. Local entities such as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local authorities, operating in close proximity to affected areas, possess valuable insights and lessons learned in building greater resilience. However, they lack appropriate platforms to share and amplify this valuable knowledge and their recommendations at higher national and regional levels. Consequently, the experiences and needs of communities most susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change and disasters remain insufficiently represented or addressed in high-level policies and practices.
DN facilitates knowledge sharing among regional governments and at-risk communities, enhancing community resilience through collaborative efforts and capacity-building initiatives. Our approach emphasizes inclusivity and effective communication to bridge gaps in DRR governance
Vulnerabilities to disasters are influenced by a complex interplay of factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and various aspects of identity. These intersecting elements can exacerbate risks and significantly impact how individuals and communities cope with and recover from disasters. Ensuring equitable disaster risk governance necessitates systematically integrating these factors into the discourse of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), with gender intersectionality emerging as a crucial aspect.
DN champions an inclusive approach to disaster resilience, focusing on gender and intersectionality within South Asia. Through research and advocacy, we highlight the unique vulnerabilities faced by diverse communities during disasters. DN conducts gender audits and regional studies to inform policy and practice, advocating for gender-responsive strategies in disaster preparedness and recovery. DN also heads the gender stakeholder group for UNDRR We collaborate with stakeholders to integrate gender perspectives into regional frameworks like the Sendai Framework, ensuring that resilience-building efforts are equitable and socially inclusive. By developing training modules and facilitating dialogue, DN
Effective governance in disaster risk reduction (DRR) is crucial as it determines how resources are allocated, policies are formulated, and responses are coordinated during crises.
At DN, we promote accountable and inclusive governance in disaster risk reduction across South Asia. Acting as an observer DN focuses on promoting regional cooperation, engaging with disaster authorities to monitor progress and advocate for effective governance practices. DN facilitates knowledge exchange among DRR stakeholders, addressing emerging challenges such as cross-border disaster impacts and regional cooperation. Through forums and studies, we encourage governments to adopt effective policies that mitigate risks and enhance resilience. DN’s efforts aim to strengthen regional resilience through informed governance and collaborative action.