Chennai, one of the 4 metropolitan cities in India has become more vulnerable to disasters both natural and human-induced. It necessitates the culture of preparedness and resilience building at community and school levels to reduce vulnerabilities of the urban slum population. Slums are the manifestations of poverty and human struggle for shelter and security. The community consistently experiences complex and varied forms of oppression that triggers a multitude of setbacks. The manifestation of poverty is seen in unemployment, poor health and hygiene, apathy, indifference and a high prevalence of drug addiction and alcoholism.

Women, children, persons with disabilities and elderly are highly vulnerable to ill-health, poor access to water and sanitation, minimal or no access to education and exposure to children protection risks as well as urban disasters. The Urban DRR project supported to Madras Social Service Society (MSSS)  aims at mainstreaming DRR at micro level namely Ward level and School level planning. This will help reduce loss of life and property contributing towards the wellbeing of the community. The learning drawn from the pilot intervention will help build strategies for future course of action or correction measures to be taken to increase the resilience of the community.

MSSS intervention covers 3 major slums in Little Mount, T.Nagar and Park Town directly reaching out to 11065 households with a total population of 53735.

Sathyavanimuthu  Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Indira Gandhi Nagar are 3 areas in Park Town slum. Located in the heart of Chennai, this slum is inhabited by 8000 families who live in 5000 housing units most of which are measuring approximately 10’x10’sq ft. They are separated from the main stream of city life. The socially backward and economically weaker sections of people, particularly dalits are the inhabitants of this slum.

During the inauguration of Care Centre, the Director of MSSS, Rev.Dr.Patrick I Joseph said that  MSSS adopted this slum with a mission to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the communities,  creating space for the community to  dialogue with different  stakeholders for their rights and entitlements with special focus on DRR, facilitating communities to take decisions for mitigating  the impact of identified risks and to develop DRR informed development  and contingency plans.

The approach seeks to form theme based cadres who will take lead in Early Warning, Search and Rescue and First Aid activities. Improved hygiene behaviour of the community especially of children and menstrual hygiene of women are given importance.  MSSS has started women groups and evening tuition centre for school going children in Park Town explained Raj Bharath, MSSS programme co-ordinator.

Had MSSS been present here prior to 2015,  the impact of Chennai floods-2015 could have been mitigated said Ms.Nirmala who is associating with MSSS as a local volunteer. Those organisations working in our slum at that time were focusing on economic development only and we never thought of preparedness, she added.

Women who mainly employed as casual labourers in the Government General Hospital and Central Railway Station and as domestic workers in the city work on an average 6-8 hours. They reach home around 2.00 PM after their daily work. Then they start their household work and spend more time in fetching drinking water standing in the queue. Children also join parents in fetching water. This affects the regular study of the school going children. Children do not have a conducive atmosphere to study at home, as a result, many of them are failing in their studies. Most of them drop out of schools.

Care centre inaugurated on 12^th March,2019 is an opportunity for 168 children to study in a peaceful environment. This 800 Sq.ft community hall helps the students do their daily homework and clarify their doubts under the guided supervision of special educators appointed by MSSS. Value-based education and awareness on WaSH components are motivating factors to the students to lead a healthy life. They have learned how to maintain the cleanliness of their hands and personal hygiene.

Dr. John Arokiaraj, Thematic  Manager,  Caritas India who gave the motivation talk told the gathering that it is the collective responsibility of  the community both children and elders to maintain the upkeep of the surroundings. “As part of your job, when you maintain the cleanliness in  your place of work, do not wait for others to come and clean your place of living.  What we need is change in our attitude and social outlook” he said.

The programme was attended by more than 150 children, parents who are also members of SHGs and the local leaders. Mr.Jeyaseelan, the administrative manager of MSSS organised this event.