Awantipora, Nov. 3: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA), organized a two-day Training and Capacity Building Workshop on Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM).
The workshop aimed to strengthen community-level resilience and preparedness through participatory learning, focusing on equipping grassroots stakeholders with essential skills to respond effectively during disasters. Participants included panchayat supervisors, religious teachers, ICDS supervisors, community mobilisers from NRLM, panchayat secretaries, VLWs, religious leaders, NGO representatives, and members from the adopted villages of the university under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) who are actively involved in community development and emergency response.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST, as Chief Guest, who emphasized the importance of strengthening local capacities to minimize disaster risks and ensure sustainable community preparedness. Prof. Muzafar Ahmad, former Member, NDMA, was the Guest of Honour for the inaugural session.
During the two-day programme, experts from academia and humanitarian organizations conducted interactive sessions and practical demonstrations covering various aspects of disaster risk management. Dr. Itenderpal Singh Bali, National Level Trainer with the Indian Red Cross Society, led sessions on Basic Life-Saving Skills and First Aid Training during Disasters, highlighting the importance of timely first aid interventions and preparedness at the household and community levels.
Other sessions included a module by Prof. Sarfaraz Ahmad, Dept. of Social Work University of Kashmir on Community Mobilization. The workshop was coordinated by Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Mantaqi Centre for Science and Society (MCSS) in collaboration with the Community Connect vertical of the Dean of Outreach IUST.
