“The training content is very useful for people with disabilities (PWDs). I have difficulties with mobility, so I have had few opportunities to participate in the community. Now, I have a chance to join this training and learn how to prepare for a disaster and where to find people who can help me. Because I do not leave my home very often, I didn’t know much about everything. I have had a lot of good knowledge since I joined the training. This is my first time participating in a training like this.” Ms. T.T.Q from Le Mon Village, Gio Phong Commune shared.

Mr. N.D in Lan Dinh hamlet, Gio Phong commune, is a relative of PWD and had the opportunity to attend the training. He commented, “It is exciting and there is a lot of thorough information that helps people to understand how to help themselves and people with disabilities. The content is easy to understand and everyone is involved”. He encourages people with disabilities and their relatives to participate in order to better help themselves and others.

These are stories shared by participants of the “Disaster risk reduction with disability integration” training held by the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development. With collaboration from the steering committee of the project, “Empowering people with disabilities”, the training took place on September 29th-30th in Gio Linh district.

The training was attended by 20 PwDs and 38 of their relatives. These participants were from Gio Chau and Gio Phong communes, Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province, where affected by frequent storms, floods and droughts. The goal of this training course is to enhance the resilience and integration of people with disabilities and their relatives in community-based disaster risk management and to minimize risks and damages. The training teaches participants about common disasters and how to be better prepared for them. Some of the activities include creating an evacuation plan and drawing a village hazards map. Highlighting evacuation roads, safe shelters, and safe household planning is also part of the training.

At the end of the 2 day-training, 100% of participants agreed that the content was absolutely relevant. Many people expressed their eagerness to share the training content with friends and family members in order to share their safety plans. Additionally, there is a demand for more training sessions so that these strategies can be further shared within the communities.