Sneha Bhatta
Apr 27,2025
In a significant step towards improving disaster preparedness and resilience in flood-prone areas, the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR), in collaboration with Campaign Nepal and CARE Nepal, launched the Sajag Samaj (SaSa) Project on 25th April 2025. The event took place in Gaur, Rautahat, where local government representatives, community members, and key stakeholders gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening disaster response and promoting women’s leadership in anticipatory action.
The SaSa Project, focused on building resilience in Rajdevi Municipality and Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality, aims to address the challenges of recurring floods. The project seeks to enhance disaster preparedness, improve early warning systems, and empower local women to take active roles in disaster management. Through this initiative, the goal is to mitigate the impact of floods along with ensuring that women are at the forefront of decision-making processes during emergencies.
Local stakeholders shared their insights and concerns on the project, enriching the conversation around how best to improve community resilience. One of the key points raised was the need to address waterlogging issues and poor drainage systems that exacerbate flooding in the region. Vijay, a local stakeholder, called for the local authorities to focus on drainage improvements to better manage floodwaters, emphasizing the importance of technical interventions.
The discussion also highlighted the gender disparity in disaster preparedness. Syed Gajala Amin, the GESI focal person for the project, pointed out that while men in the community are generally more engaged in disaster management activities, women are often left out, focusing mainly on household concerns during emergencies. She expressed optimism that the SaSa Project would provide women with the tools and knowledge to be more actively involved in disaster planning and response, thus promoting gender equality in disaster management.
The event also showcased the project’s commitment to collaboration, with various partners pledging support. Utsav, representing the Agriculture Knowledge Center (AKC), expressed their commitment to assist local farmers by promoting drought-tolerant and flood-resilient crops, which will help strengthen agricultural resilience in the region.
The leaders of Durga Bhagwati and Rajdevi offered positive remarks, emphasizing the importance of the project in addressing their community’s ongoing challenges with floods. They expressed their hope that the project would succeed in creating stronger disaster management systems and a more resilient community.
The SaSa Project, which runs from March 2025 to February 2026, is set to make a lasting impact in the Bagmati River Basin. With its focus on early action, disaster preparedness, and empowering women, the project aims to strengthen both community resilience and leadership capacity, ensuring that the region is better equipped to handle future disasters.
As the project moves forward, the partnership between IHRR, Campaign Nepal, and CARE Nepal will play a critical role in creating a more resilient and empowered community in Rautahat, with a strong emphasis on gender equity and disaster preparedness.
