Cultural Heritage and Disaster Risk Reduction Case Studies from Sri Lanka

Kamani PereraRegional Centre for Strategic Studies

Sri LankaK_vithana@yahoo.com; kvithana@gmail.com

Coverage• Introduction• Frequent Disasters• New Technology use for Disaster Management• Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka• Disaster Risk Reduction• Role of Media• Coastal Communities in Sri Lanka• Training Programs for Community Awareness• Natural and Human – made

Disasters – Evidences from Sri Lanka

IntroductionWhat is Disaster?• Serious disruption• Human losses• Property losses• Environment

losses

How to Mitigate Disasters?• Preventive

measures• Awareness

programs• Training for DRR

http://practicalaction.org/disaster-risk-reduction-old/

Frequent Disastersin Sri Lanka• Floods

• Droughts

• Cyclones

• Landslides

• Coastal erosions http://redcross.lk/news/red-cross-continues-to-help-families-devastated-by-floods/

New Technology use for Disaster Management

• Remote sensing system

• Geographical information system

• Global positioning system

• Warning and forecasting system

• Internet

• Communication technology

Main Activities of DMC, Sri Lanka

Vision • Disaster risk management for safer communities and

sustainable development Broad Mission• Create a culture of safety among communities and the nation• Systematic management of natural, technological and man-

made disaster risksHow they protect the community?• Early warning system • Effective communication system• Awareness programs such as disaster preparedness,

evacuation and rescue

Main Activities of DMC, Sri LankaTools used for Early Warning System

• Telephones• Radio• TV channels• Mobile phone networks• Police and military communication systems

Disaster Risk Reduction • Hazard Mapping and Risk Assessment • Information and Data Collection• Research and Analysis • Building Technology • DMC Website • Long term Disaster Risk Reduction • Specific risk reduction projects to reduce specific identified risks that

can cause future disasters • DRR integration in Development • Long-term action planning

Main Activities of DMC, Sri LankaEarly Warning

• Have systems in place for receiving forecasting and early warning

• Forecasting of impending disastersEarly warning and Dissemination

Emergency Operations in Case of a Disaster • Establishment of National Emergency Operation Centre• Establishment of Emergency Operation Rooms at provincial,

district and divisional levels• Carrying out Emergency Operations, coordinating with armed

forces, police and other related agencies at national and all sub levels

Main Activities of DMC, Sri LankaHow to Educate Social Community on DRR? • Informal Education• Formal Education

Informal Education • Dissemination of written materials• Creative educational materials• Culture and performing arts• After school safety clubs, scouting badges and project

activities• Public awareness through posters, manuals, calendars,

leaflets, arts and drama

Main Activities of DMC, Sri LankaFormal Education • School curriculum

• University education (undergraduate/postgraduate courses)

• Information network

• Annual media award

• TV Regular program on DRR

• Establishing DRR centers regional basis (DMC, SL)

Role of Media• Make awareness among

larger community

• Stimulate more participation activities

• Share information on DRR

• Communicate more effectively via social media tools – e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Messenger, Skype etc.

• Facilitate to access pictures, sounds etc.

http://irevolution.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/social-media-emergency-

lg.jpg

Coastal Communities in Sri Lanka• Major income – coastal fisheries• Vulnerable to the resource

conditions• Highly depending on natural

resources

Development Activities• Defining the target area• Community entry and integration• Assessment of resources, needs

and opportunities • Education and capacity

development• Rehabilitation plan • Long-term sustainability plan• Adaptive learning through

monitoring and evaluation

http://www.fisheriesdept.gov.lk/vision_english.html

Training Programs for Community Awareness

Points to be considered• Emphasize the importance of participation e.g. especially

women for training programs • Discuss important steps • Give strengthen to keep positive mind sets • Teach simple way. Use informal community language.

Community language is easy to • understand for particular community • Give examples, successful stories, successful survivors

regionally and globally • Check whether the whole community is trained well. Repeat if

needed • Be friendly. Let them to ask questions. Do rehearsals

Natural DisastersDisasters such as coastal erosion, tidal waves, floods, soil erosion, increased storm intensity, species migration, fire and explosions which can be damaged to human lives as well as cultural heritage.

Case Studies – natural• Tsunami 2004• Cyclone no name 2013 • Floods 2013 (natural/man-made)

http://www.ukfgsrilanka.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/tsunami-devastation/

ttsunami.jpg

http://pcolman.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/sri-lanka-escapes-tsunami-april-11-2012

/

Galle Bus Station After Tsunami 2004

26 December

ConclusionHuman-made disasters Disasters that created by man purposely or accidently (due to lack of awareness or knowledge) by way of accidents, negligence, human design etc. which make significant damage to livelihoods and cultural heritage. Case Studies – human made• Bomb attack to sacred Tooth

Relic Temple of Lord Buddha

http://www.umarlankatours.com/sacred-temple-of-the-tooth-kandy.html

http://www.defence.lk/LTTE/20110520MOT.aspAfter the Bomb Attack1998 January