Building a Resilient Community

Main Topic

Empowerment and Inclusion – Diversity

Additional Topic(s)

Duration

1-2 hours

Implementation Mode

Indoor F2F

Goal(s)

● Develop problem-solving skills.
● Foster collaboration and teamwork.
● Enhance critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
● Gain an understanding of the importance of utilizing local resources in emergency situations.
● Explore strategies for supporting and integrating displaced populations.

Expected Results
● Participants will develop practical action plans that utilize the available resources and infrastructure of their village to support incoming residents during a natural disaster.
● Increased awareness and understanding of the role of local resources in building resilience and providing support to neighbouring communities in times of crisis.
● Enhanced collaboration and teamwork skills as participants work together to integrat

Overview of Activity

Participants engage in developing action plans to support neighbouring villages affected by disasters. They reflect on available resources and infrastructure within their own community and explore ways to provide assistance. Through group discussions and visual representation using sticky notes on a map, participants gain insights into effective response strategies and the importance of utilizing local resources. This activity promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and empathy in addressing challenges faced by communities during disasters.

Description of Activity

1. To start, the facilitator goes over the situation with the participants and tells them that a nearby village has experienced a terrible natural disaster and that its residents are now fleeing to the participants' village (“Our Village”) as a last resort. The facilitator emphasizes the importance of utilizing the existing resources and infrastructure of their village to support the incoming population effectively.

2. The facilitator engages the participants in a discussion about the resources, infrastructure, and services available in their village. Some questions, see notes, should be asked to guide the participants.

3. The facilitator divides participants into small groups or pairs and informs each group to brainstorm and discuss specific action plans that utilize the available resources and infrastructure of the village by encouraging them to consider aspects such as housing, infrastructure adaptation, essential services provision, and social support.

4. The facilitator provides each group with sticky notes and markers and instructs them to place the sticky notes on the map of the village created during the activity called “Our Village”. Each sticky note should represent a specific action or initiative that can be undertaken to support the incoming residents. They can write a brief description or use symbols on the sticky notes to represent their ideas.

5. By allocating time for each group to present their action plan, the facilitator encourages them to explain the sticky notes they placed on the map. The facilitator should allow for questions and feedback from other participants.

6. The facilitator facilitates a group discussion to identify commonalities and synergies between the proposed action plans by asking questions, see notes. Encouraging participants to find ways to integrate the different ideas and create a comprehensive response plan that utilizes the resources and infrastructure of the village effectively is the objective of this step. Participants are then invited to discuss potential challenges and obstacles and brainstorm strategies to overcome them.

7. Reflection and discussion time… The facilitator engages the participants in a reflective discussion using questions, see notes.

Sources & Additional Materials

Large sheets of paper or flip chart paper, sticky notes, markers, drawing materials

Additional Notes

1. Duration of the activity: a. Introduction (step 1): 5 minutes b. Discussion (step 2): 5 minutes c. Group Brainstorming (step 3): 5 minutes d. Action Planning (step 4): 15 minutes e. Presentation and Feedback (step 5): 10 minutes f. Integration and Implementation (step 6): 10 minutes g. Reflection and Discussion (step 7): 10 minutes

2. Discussion on the available resources (step 2) a. What specific resources does our village have that could be utilized to support the incoming residents in the event of a natural disaster? b. Are there vacant buildings or spaces that could be repurposed to provide temporary shelter for the incoming residents? c. How can our existing infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, and communication systems, be utilized to ensure the safety and well-being of the incoming population? d. What essential services, such as healthcare, food, and water, can our village provide to support the immediate needs of the incoming residents? e. Are there any community organizations, local businesses, or social groups that can contribute their resources, skills, or expertise in assisting the incoming residents?

3. Integration and Implementation (step 6) a. What are some common themes or ideas that emerged from the different action plans presented? b. How can we combine and integrate these ideas to create a comprehensive response plan? c. Are there any overlapping actions or initiatives that can be consolidated or streamlined? d. What are some potential challenges or obstacles that we may encounter in implementing these action plans? e. How can we overcome these challenges and ensure the successful execution of the response plan? f. Are there any additional resources or support needed to implement the proposed actions effectively? g. How can we prioritize the action plans based on their potential impact and feasibility? h. How can we ensure coordination and collaboration between different stakeholders involved in the response efforts?

4. Reflection and Discussion (step 7) a. How did considering the available resources and infrastructure influence the development of your action plans? b. What are the strengths and limitations of your village's resources in responding to a natural disaster and supporting incoming residents? c. How can the proposed actions on the sticky notes contribute to an effective response and support the well-being of the incoming residents? d. How does this exercise highlight the importance of utilizing local resources and infrastructure in emergency situations? e. In what ways does this scenario relate to real-world challenges faced by communities and countries?

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