Community capacity building cycles prepare leaders from vulnerable communities to build their safer future.

Local knowledge and community capacities are central to the capacity building activities.

"This training was effective because we could implement what we learn in the class-room, in the field" - Krupaben Acharya.

"For me the message from this cycle is clear. For every child in Kutchh, disaster preparedness is a must" - Lataben Shah.

"Through this training we attained a clear idea of our own moral and ethical responsibility in order to protect the most vulnerable group of our society, the children" - Hemaliben Chauhan.

Balance on community based approaches and scientific knowledge is developed.

"The use of water audit and resource assessment frame-work is effective because it produces results instantly" - Lakhansinh Khokhar.

''I have learned how to prioritize victims who need immediate attention and help" - Kantaben.

"The use of Participatory Risk Appraisal Tools is more effective then any other tool, because it help cross check the collected information" - Ushaben Ganatra.

Community level field reality is in the centre of learning methods. Participatory and innovative learning methods are used.

"The contents of training and presentation styles have given us a clear idea of natural and men made disasters" - Naliniben Kristi.

"We have experienced many disasters but for the first time today we have received knowledge on how to mitigate the impacts" - Jayeshbhai, Madhutra.

So far 242 cycles have reached out more than 6200 leaders from Self Help Groups, CBOs, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Schools staff, NGOs staff, Volunteers and other communities in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and, Jammu and Kashmir.

Topics Covered: Community Based Disaster Relief and Response Community Based Disaster Risk Mitigation Community Initiatives: Lateral learning exposure visit to disaster reconstruction projects Community Initiatives: Risk Transfer Emergency Food Security: Action and Research Emergency Medical Response Grain Bank Geographical Information System (GIS) programme training HIV and Humanitarian Response Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response Incident Command System Participatory Risk Appraisal tools Rural food insecurity Safer Building Construction Scientific Awareness for School safety Understanding Disaster Risk Reduction: Hyogo Framework for Action Urban food insecurity Urban Town Planning and the Poor Urban Water Audit and Resource Assessment Women Led Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness