Climate resilient action plans for Coastal urban areas in Sri Lanka ...

LessonsLearntAcknowledgementThis report has been prepared by the project team of the Climate resilient actionplans for Coastal urban areas in Sri Lanka (CCSL).We acknowledge the Nordic Climate Facility (NCF) for funding the project. NordicClimate Facility (NCF) is financed by the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) andimplemented jointly with the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO).His worshiping deputy mayors, commissioners of Batticaloa Municipal Council andNegombo Municipal Council, staff of both municipalities are greatly acknowledgedfor their support extended to successful implementation of the project activities.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal2

LessonsLearntContentsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................ 1ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................. 2PROJECT TEAM ......................................................................................... 4ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................... 6INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 71. ACTIVITY 1.2:Water resource management, and especially drainage and sanitation impactsfrom more intense rainfall events, supported by a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) forfunding support from the SIDA supported City Development Initiative for Asia(CDIA)..................................................................................................... 82. ACTIVITY 1.3:Multi-purpose green belt (12 km in length of BMC coast) established to protectthe lagoon and coastal areas, restore mangrove eco-systems & coastal biodiversity................................................................................................ 133. ACTIVITY 1.4:GIS-based Rapid Response System (RRS)& Knowledge Management centre forclimate exacerbated disasters established at BMC & NMC with training (1 monthfor selected 50 participants) and equipments (building, Software, 20 computers,10 GPS, printers, scanners, broadband facilities) ......................................... 204. ACTIVITY 1.5:Disaster resilient; energy efficient; low-cost shelter adaptation training,supported by local resource based- livelihood diversifications options for 100participants live in vulnerable areas ........................................................... 26Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal3

LessonsLearntProject teamUniversity of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Sri LankaProf. P.K.S.MahanamaMr. Thilak HewawasamMr. Amila B. JayasingheMs. C. Chethika AbenayakeDean, Faculty of ArchitectureTeam Leader, UoMConsultant (Livelihood Development)Infrastructure Planner & GIS SpecialistEnvironmental PlannerMr. Chathura De Silva Project Secretary and Consultant (UrbanPlanning)Ms. Suharsha KumarasingheMr. Kirshan Stanis BarthelotMs. Dileka BandaraMs. Laleema SenanayakeProject Associate (Environmental Planning)Project Associate (Participatory Planning)Project Assistant (Environmental Planning)Project Assistant (Environmental Planning)Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA), NorwayDr. Isabel SiefertMs. Silje HolenMs. Line BarkvedProject Manager (NIVA)Research Scientist (NIVA)Research Scientist (NIVA)Batticoloa Municipal Council (BMC), Sri LankaMr. K. SivanathanCommissioner, Batticaloa Municipal CouncilNegombo Municipal Council (NMC), Sri LankaMs. Mallika FernandoMs.V S VijieCommissioner, Negombo Municipal CouncilTechnical Officer, Negombo Municipal CouncilLessons Learnt Training Manual4for Sri Lankan Coastal

LessonsLearntUN Habitat, Sri LankaMr. Laxman PeraraNational project Coordinator, SLSupportive TeamMr. Raj KithsiriMs. MadhushiMr. Lasantha BandaraMs. E. ShirominiMs. T. JezanTechnical officer(Faculty of Architecture, UOM)Administrative officer(Faculty of Architecture, UOM)GIS, Workshop and Field Survey Assistant(Dept. Of Town & Country Planning, UOM)GIS, Workshop and Field Survey Assistant(Dept. Of Town & Country Planning, UOM)GIS, Workshop and Field Survey Assistant(Dept. Of Town & Country Planning, UOM)Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal5

LessonsLearntAbbreviationsIPCCEM DATCREDUNNGOLSSSLDRNGISQGISGNBMCNMCGPSKMC: Intergovernmental panel on climate change: Emergency events database: Center for research on environmental decisions: United Nations: Non-Governmental Organizations: Logistics Support Systems: Sri Lanka Disaster Resource Network: Geographical Information Systems: Quantum Geographical Information Systems: Grama Niladari: Batticaloa Municipal Council: Negombo Municipal Council: Global Positioning System: Knowledge Management CenterDS Division : Divisional Secretariat DivisionPFMPGISCRSCCSLCRASSAPLIDARDTMSAR: Participatory Flood Mapping: Participatory Geographical Information Systems: Coordinate Reference System: Climate resilient action plans for coastal urban areas of Sri Lanka: Climate Resilient Adaptation Strategies & Supporting Action Plans: Light Detection and Ranging: Digital Terrain Model: Synthetic Aperture RadarLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal6

LessonsLearntIntroductionThe 4 CRASSAPs under the project titled Climate Resilient Action Plans forCoastal Urban Areas are; Water resource management, and especially drainageand sanitation impacts from more intense rainfall events, supported by a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for funding support from the SIDA supported CityDevelopment Initiative for Asia (CDIA); A multi-purpose green belt (12 km inlength) was established to protect the lagoon and coastal areas, restoremangrove eco-systems & coastal bio-diversity in BMC area; GIS-based RapidResponse Systems (RRS) & two Knowledge Management centers for climateexacerbated disasters were established at BMC & NMC with a training (1 monthfor selected 50 participants) and equipments (building, Software, 20 computers,10 GPS, printers, scanners, broadband facilities); and Disaster resilient; energyefficient; low-cost shelter adaptation training, supported by local resource basedlivelihooddiversifications options for 100 participants live in vulnerable areas.When implementing these activities at ground level, the project team learntvarious lessons. These lessons consist of appreciation factors as well as factors tobe improved. This document consists of these factors in a descriptive manner.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal7

LessonsLearntMain Activity:Assess the drainage and sanitation impacts during the intensiverainfallsSub Activity 01: Drainage network and a waste water treatment plant in BMCDescription After analyzing the last 40 years rainfall andtemperature data of BMC area, the impacts frompossible changes of the temperature and rainfall on thedrainage and sanitary condition were assessed; The entire activity was divided into 3 main phases; i.reconnaissance survey (to identify the specific locationsthat the problem severely occurred), ii. Stakeholderconsultation (the responsible persons, institutions andorganizations which deals with the matter), iii.Household survey (to identify the exact problem at theground level);After analyzing the collected data and information, itwas identified that the most parts of the Batticaloa Townis inundated during floods because of the poor drainagenetwork which has constructed without considering therequired capacity and gravity as well as due to the poormaintenance;The next identified issue was that there is no pipedsewerage in Batticaloa (except at teaching hospital andprison) which leads to severe problems during the rainyseason as sewage contamination to fresh water sourceswhich is most important as well as rare resource toBatticaloa; andLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal9

LessonsLearntAfter identifying above two as main issues, the teamdecided to introduce a detailed design for the drainagenetwork and for a waste water treatment plant in BMC.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsDesigning a proper drainage network and a waste watertreatment plant was identified as an option for existingdrainage and sanitation impacts at the intensiverainfalls;Before we are going to start a detail investigation, aproper case study area should be selected that canexperience the acute problem;When selecting a case study area the availableresources to perform the action should be ensured, suchas time allocation, labour requirement and availability,budget allocations;The stakeholder consultation is the most important partof this kind of project since these types of activitiesmostly deals with the community and the communityshould be benefitted by these activities. Hence, all thestakeholders who are responsible for the activity have tobe identified, coordinated and incorporated to theactivity at the all levels (municipal officers, NGOs, otherrespective organizations, general public); andBefore initiating household survey, the survey team hasto have general idea about the existing situation at thefield by conducting a reconnaissance survey. Then, thesurvey team will be able to conduct and collect therelevant information at the field as they have basicunderstanding about the magnitude of the context ofthe issue.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal10

LessonsLearntSub Activity 02: Improved sanitary facilities for a low income communityconsidering the effects of climate change in NMC.Description In case of the NMC with regard to climate change, thesanitation issues are at considerable level as it is also acoastal town;As a model village to investigate the actual situation,‘Monako gama’ located within the NMC domain wasselected. All together there were about 88 houseslocated in the village and all the toilets are simple squattype toilets which connected to 18 septic tanks. Thelocation of the septic tanks is inaccessible for amunicipal gully-sucker;In rainy seasons these septic tanks overflow and mixwith the Lagoon waters of the Negombo Lagoon andeven flows in the drainages of the area. Therefore theresidents in ‘Monako gama’ have found ways to handleoverflowing septic tanks by their own by constructingindividual tanks. Hence, this situation seemed as apotential risk for health problems as well as thepollution of the lagoon, caused by the contamination ofuntreated wastewater; andHence, it was decided to introduce and implement drytoilets with simple principal: Don’t mix! human urineand faeces; faeces and water. By keeping urine andfaeces, it can reduce or even eliminate problems of badodder and fly breeding. Then facilitate to storagetreatment and transport.Lessons learnt Before implementing any project, it should aware thefocus community regarding the project intension andgive a proper and complete idea on what is going to beLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal11

LessonsLearntdone under the project. If it is a completely new conceptto the community, then that concept has to beconvinced to the community in a strategic manner;In the case of ‘Monaco Gama’, it was identified that themain causes for the hesitation for accepting the drytoilets, were the less promotion, education and trainingof the intended users. Thus, proper plans have to beprepared to make familiarize the concept to the peoplebefore the implementation of such concepts;The other factors were that cultural factors, ethics andbeliefs also influenced the acceptance of the introducedconcept;Personal or cultural response to the fact that humanfaeces are malodorous and potentially dangerous.Mostly this comes with the culture of different societies.Especially in the Asian context, it is hard to change thetraditional methods of cleaning of human excretawithout mixing water with the excreta; andMostly, addititive materials which want to be use afterusing the toilet as ash, burned paddy husk, lime etc ishard to find in urban context. Finding of ash alsobecome difficult since majority is using gas for cookingpurpose. Hence, these adititive materials seem to be aproblem to them in terms of availability.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal12

LessonsLearnt2. Activity 1.3:Multi-purpose green belt (12 km in length of BMC coast)established to protect the lagoon and coastal areas, restoremangrove eco-systems & coastal bio-diversityRedesigning of the multipurpose green belt was identified as the activity 1.3 of‘Climate resilient action plans for Coastal urban areas in Sri Lanka’ (CCSL)project. Redesigning of the multipurpose green belt is the first CRASSAPformulated under the above task which was implemented exclusively on BMC.Presence of green network could significantly contribute in reducing thevulnerability to local communities with the impacts of the natural disastersexacerbated by climate change. The project concept and the need of greennetwork for Batticaloa were evolved by the opinions of local stakeholders duringthe previous project titled ‘City Development Strategies to respond climatechange in coastal urban areas of Sri Lanka’, undertaken by UN-Habitat, Sri Lankain partnership with University of Morattuwa in 2010. Owing to the importance ofthe coastal areas, redesigning the green belt of the 12km coastal belt in BMCarea was demading action.After reviewing the present vegetation pattern in the area, the redesigning of themultipurpose green belt action plan was initiated its activities adhering to thedesign considerations of resilience to multi-disaster situations, facilitate thecommunity activities through spatial re-arrangements, enhance the Bio diversityof coastal eco-systems, protect the coastal beaches and other geo-morphologicalforms from sudden wind and wave processes, strengthen the economic benefittransfers to local community.Redesigning of the multipurpose green belt, CRASSAP is based on a series ofrapid assessments including Plant inventory of coastal belt, Land cover mapping,activity survey and a comprehensive local stakeholder consultation process. Thefindings of baseline studies the coastal belt of the area revealed mismatch areasof existing green belt particularly there were some stretches where the greenLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal13

LessonsLearntbelt discontinued and some other stretches have disturbed after tsunami (2004)and flood (2010/11).Need of redesigning of the green belt was well recognized by local stakeholders.Five sites along the 12 km stretch were selected to undertake pilot projects. Theproject prepared five action plans with detailed designs of the green belt forPoonachchimunai, Kallady, Thiruchchendur, Dutch Bar and Navallady areas.The detailed designs were prepared after consultation with the local communitiesand the designs were verified at a multi-stakeholder validation meeting with thecommon consensus supported by local political will and commitment on wayforward. This text comprises with the summarized project process and designsolutions validated at the participatory approach of the project implementation.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal14

LessonsLearntMain Activity:Multi-purpose green belt (12 km) established in BMC area to protectthe lagoon and coastal areas, restore mangrove eco-systems &coastal bio-diversitySub Activity 01: Formulation of the activity 1.3 based on a technical analysisDescription A technical analysis carried out by the UOM projectteam revealed that changes recorded in the climaticconditions in the BMC area. Basically the reconnaissancesurveys and the stakeholder mapping was carried out atthe initial stage. Focus group discussions and thetechniques such as Delphi techniques were adoptedlater.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsMulti-purpose green belt is a defense mechanism toreduce exposure to climate exacerbated disasters asfrequent storm surges and strong winds, sea level riseand coastal floods. It reduces the exposure; and aims tostrengthen the adaptive capacity of local communitythrough incorporating economic-benefits into theproposed green belts. Further, the ecosystem resiliencecan be considered as the recent trends evident rapidloss of bio-diversity and disturbance to coastal habitats.Therefore, the green belt reduce the intrinsicvulnerability to climatic disasters aiming at a resilientcoastal cityLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal15

LessonsLearntSub Activity 02:Formulating the project concept for the redesigning amultipurpose green beltDescription The necessity of actions deal with the climate changeimpacts were discussed with the stakeholder groups inBMC at the workshop held on 12.12.2011 at the Libraryauditorium, Batticaloa. Further considering thepublished literature on the subject, project teamformulated the project concept for the redesigning themultipurpose green belt.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsDifferent techniques such as reconnaissance survey,stakeholder mapping, focus group discussion and delphitechnique were used to develop a better project conceptrather than using one technique.Sub Activity 03: Analyzing the green network in Batticaloa and theformulation of green planDescription Identification of the most important sections of the greennetwork in BMC was done by conducting a brainstormingsession among the project team. The team considered theexposure to the impacts of climate change, sensitivity tothe impacts of climate and adaptive capacity to theimpacts of climate.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsBy using the brainstorming technique, a set of criteriacould be developed to identify the most importantsections of the green network; andIn the selecting samples to conduct the survey, thesampling should be based on proper set of criteria.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal16

LessonsLearntFactors to be improvedOnly a 500 m belt along the shoreline was studied in thisactivity. If a large area could have been studied theresults would be much better.Sub Activity 04:Studying the 12 km coastal green beltDescription Green network of BMC was studied by conducting fieldreconnaissance Survey/ windscreen surveys/brainstorming sessions among the project team, studyof the activities, stakeholder workshops / localcommunity and developing a plant inventory for thecoastal belt between 01 st December 2011 and 31 stJanuary 2012.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsTo develop a better result and document on the greenbelt on BMC, public participation was a key factor.Primary data collection based on field reconnaissanceSurvey/ windscreen surveys and consultation with thelocal community and officials were conducted to developa proper document. Adaptation of different channelsfor the primary data collection enabled the validation ofgathered information and could grasp some nativeinformation specific for particular group of people; andThe study was carried out by the experts of the field, togenerate.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal17

LessonsLearntSub Activity 05:Selecting sites for detailed participatory designs and thepreparation of designsDescription A detailed activity study was conducted by the projectteam between the 01st Jan 2012 to 25th Jan 2012 toobtain an in-depth understanding on the 12km coastalstretch. Further, by considering the study findings withthe project concept, 5 sites were finalized for detailparticipatory design. Sessions were conducted with thekey government agencies, namely Batticaloa MunicipalCouncil, Coast Conservation Department, CentralEnvironment Authority and the Forest Department tounderstand on future initiatives that each institutionkeen to take in future.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsIdentification of right stakeholders was much importantrather considering only an immediate stakeholder in theselecting sites.Factors to be improvedIf the activity study was conducted to the total area, thestudy could have been more successful.Sub Activity 06:Study on the vegetation pattern in Batticaloa with respect tothe concept of ‘green networkingDescription After analyzing the present green network in the area,the green plan was prepared adhering to the projectconcept.Lessons learntAppreciation factors Multi stakeholder participation is important whendeveloping a green planLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal18

LessonsLearntauthority officials were a major constrain in conducingthe training program;Low capacity of the officials to adopt new technologies;andQGIS 1.5 software did not facilitate some of theexercises of the training program. For an instance,spatial data projection couldn’t be done using the QGIS1.5 software. Therefore, the officials were taught byusing QGIS 1.7. The computers at BMC did not supportthe installment of QGIS 1.5. Setup issues occurred whentrying to install QGIS 1.5. Instead QGIS 1.7 wasinstalled and taught to the officials.Sub Activity 02:Establishment of two Knowledge Management Centers atBMC and NMCDescription This center consists of hardware, software andhumanware.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsExistences of a center for knowledge management notonly facilitate to response climate exacerbated disasters,but also facilitate the availability of knowledge andinformation on local level; andThe incorporation of knowledge which lies with differentstakeholders of local authorities could be successfullydone by using this type of a center.Factors to be improvedDue to the unavailability of a carder position to maintainthe KMC the centers were not properly maintained afterit was handed over to the local authority of BMC, visualpresentations were the most effective mode ofcommunication rather than other modes.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal22

LessonsLearntSub Activity 03:Conduct participatory flood mapping technique in BMC toproduce the maps and database of vulnerability to floods inBMC and NMCDescription Participatory flood mapping technique was conducted toa selected case study in BMC to develop a spatialdatabase to respond climate exacerbated flood disasterin a successful manner.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsThe knowledge which lies with the local community withregard to past and existing floods could be extracted ina proper manner;To increase and enhance the accuracy and validity ofdata, they should be gathered using several techniques;In a low elevated study area where no information onthe floods is available, the adopted PGIS technique wasmost suitable to map the flood hazard of the study area;Conducting a survey to the total population of the studyarea is time and resource consuming. Therefore,selection of a proper sample to ease the survey shouldbe done; Random discussions with the individuals, furthervalidates the survey conducted;The lessons learnt in the use of GIS software inconducting participatory GIS based flood mapping:Elevation/ coordinate change and attribute change whenextracting GPS points to ArcGIS: When extracting GPSpoints to ArcGIS, the exact geographical location wherethe coordinates were taken was not clearly shown onthe map. Therefore, original GPX files gathered in theGPS was extracted to Google earth as a KML file. ThenLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal23

LessonsLearntthe exact location where the GPS points were taken wasshown in the Google Earth;Attribute change in extraction of GPS points to ArcGIS:The KML to SHP converter was used to convert this filebecause when converting these files using GPS plugin/GPS tool in GIS, in the attribute table, and the statistical/ numerical data subjecting to change;Coordinate change when opened the converted GPSpoints (shape files) in ArcGIS: When the convertedshape files using the KML to SHP converter was addedto the GIS database and opened in the map layer, acoordinate error occurred. This error was about 100mdistance error from the exact geographical location. Toreduce this error and to bring the shape files to theexact location on ground, spatial adjustment tools andediting tools of GIS were used. This error adjustmentcouldn’t be done using the coordinate systems of GIS;Misplaced GPS data: Each and every GPS point whichwas taken on field wasn’t available as shape files whenopened as a GIS layer. Research team recognized thatthis could be due to an error in the GPS equipment orthe KML to SHP converter used for the file conversion;andThe data entering format of the excel sheet: The datashould be entered in number format when entering tothe excel sheet. Otherwise, further analysis of this datain GIS to create elevation maps using flood heightscannot be done.Factors to be improvedThis technique can’t be used for flood modelling due toinaccuracy of data.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal24

LessonsLearntSub Activity 04:Use of social media and networks to aware community onproject activities and to use them as modes of disasterresponseDescription Facebook and twitter network was used to facilitateresponse and awareness on climate exacerbateddisasters to youth generation. Furthermore, a webpagewas developed by the project team to facilitate theaccess of the community to information on projectactivities and climate change.Lessons learntFactors to be improvedThese types of networks are only accessible to aseparate social class. The youth 30 - 45 are notaccessible by these networks. Therefore, target group ofthis sort of action should be only the youths andinformation technology accessible population.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal25

LessonsLearnt4. Activity 1.5:Disaster resilient; energy efficient; low-cost shelter adaptationtraining, supported by local resource based- livelihooddiversifications options for 100 participants live in vulnerableareasDisaster resilient; energy efficient; low-cost shelter adaptation training,supported on a local resource basis - livelihood diversifications options for 100participants living in vulnerable areas was identified and mentioned as theactivity 1.5 of the project on ‘Climate resilient action plans for Coastal urbanareas in Sri Lanka’ (CCSL). It was understood that the importance of theawareness about the vulnerabilities of the local communities to the impacts ofthe natural disasters exacerbated by climate change.The main focus of the activity 1.5 is to raise the awareness on impacts of theclimate change within the local communities and find out the low costadaptations practices for the impacts of the climate change through thecommunity. There are two types of programs within the activity 1.5 which wereconducted in Batticaloa Municipality in Eastern province and NegomboMunicipality in Western province of Sri Lanka.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal26

LessonsLearntMain Activity:Disaster resilient; energy efficient; low-cost shelter adaptation training,supported by local resource based- livelihood diversifications optionsfor participants live in vulnerable areas by conducting an inter schoolcompetition at NMCSub Activity 01:Preparation of key activities for the programDescription Selection of schools and teachers (selected 36 schoolslocated within the NMC limits);Informing the schools about the program and relatedactivities;Selection of a place to conduct the meeting; andInviting medical officers and resource people to makethem aware about the post health hazards (dengue).Lessons learntAppreciation factorsWhen conducting this type of program, informing thezonal education department and the other relevantstakeholders are important to facilitate successfulcompletion and smooth flow of the project.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal27

LessonsLearntSub Activity 02:Teachers awareness programDescription Organization of a meeting for 36 school teachers and toaware them about the program (Discussion about theimportance of climate change and the relationship withthe post health hazards, discussion about theimportance of adaptation and mitigation to response theDengue, discussion about the competition which launchat the schools, discussion about the issues andclarifications)Lessons learntAppreciation factorsThe teachers are important when conducting a schoollevel competition. Therefore, when conducting this kindof a project, aware the teachers about the project isimportant to successfully carry out the project.Sub Activity 03:Monitoring the progress of the competition and coordinationDescription Monitoring the progress of the competition by themembers of MOH office, PHIs and UOM team membersfortnightly.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsIf the project activities are not successfully monitoredand evaluated, the activities may not take place and theprogram will not deliver the best results. Therefore,monitoring and continuous evaluation is important forbetter results.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal28

LessonsLearntSub Activity 04:Organization of a ceremony to select best schools which hasbeen most creative in their practices and ideas to convenethe massage about dengue awareness based on the selectedcriterionsDescription Distribution of the prizes to schools; Use of the outputsfor project activities.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsAt least 3 months should be allocated for this typeof activity for the flow and continuation When preparingthe presentations to the students, those should besimple, attractive and understandable to the students.The explanations should be short and scheduled to 20 -30 minutes.Factors to be improvedThis kind of competitions should be aligned withthe school curricular. it must be thoroughly keep inmind to organize at the terms which they do not havebusy schedules. (End of the year is academically busiestperiod in schools in Sri Lankan context) so theorganizers have to organize their works and activities,after considering about the school terms; andPanel of judges for this kind of competition should befrom the outsideLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal29

LessonsLearntMain Activity:Disaster resilient; energy efficient; low-cost shelter adaptation training,supported by local resource based- livelihood diversifications optionsfor participants live in vulnerable areas by conducting an inter schoolcompetition at BMCSub Activity 01:Preparation of key activities for the programDescription Selection of schools and teachers (selected 12 schoolslocated within the BMC limits); Informing the schoolsabout the program and related activities; Selection of aplace to conduct the meeting; and Invitations toresource people to make them aware about the climatechange adaptation and mitigation.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsWhen conducting this kind of a program, informing thezonal education department and the other relevantstakeholders are important to facilitate successfulcompletion and smooth flow of the project.To be improvedOnly 1 AB and 1 C schools were selected to thiscompetition. Because of this other schools weremarginalized and they did not participate in thisprogram. When conducting this kind of a program, allschools should be selected; andDisaster Management Center was not involved in thisprogram.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal30

LessonsLearntSub Activity 02:School awareness meeting (Principal and teachers)Description Organizing a meeting for two (2) school teachers andthe principals of the selected 12 schools to aware themabout the program (Discussion about the importance ofclimate change, adaptation and mitigation anddiscussion about school level competition to raiseawareness among school children about climate changeadaptation and mitigation in BMC); andOrganizing a second meeting only for the responsibleteachers to select a theme to carry out the project. (Thethemes are: preparation for disaster, use of indigenousknowledge, save energy at home and school, safehome/ schools for disasters, using tree plants forclimate change adaptation and post disaster healthhazards).Lessons learntAppreciation factorsThe active participation and support of the teachers andprincipal are important when conducting a school levelcompetition. Therefore, when conducting this kind of aproject, aware the teachers about the project isimportant to carry out the project successfully andcontinuously; Appointing a committee of 8 - 12 students and 2teachers to carry on the project within a schoolpremises facilitated fruitful implementation andsustainability of the projects; andFacilitation of developing innovative activities based onthe given 5 themes and guidelines.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal31

LessonsLearntTo be improvedTeachers were appointed to facilitate the project andguide the students to successful implementation of theproject. When teachers try to do the project theawareness, the focus of the project collapse;Restriction of 5 thematic areas restrained the studentsto carry out more activities; andAppointing a 8 - 12 committee made other childrenirresponsible for the project activities.Sub Activity 03:Monitoring the progress of the competition and coordinationDescription Monitoring the progress of the competition by themembers of zonal education department, BMC, UNhabitat and UoM team members fortnightly.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsBy conducting continuous evaluation, project team canensure a successful implementation of the program; andEvaluation of the project activities through severalstakeholders made biasness of the program minimized.To be improvedIf the project activities are not successfully monitoredand evaluated, the activities may not take place and theprogram will not deliver the best results. Therefore,monitoring and continuous evaluation is important forbetter results; andDifferent schools carried out different activities. Someschools did dramas, some produced flood maps, somedeveloped story books. The evaluation of these activitieswas difficult as they took a heterogeneous character andvalues. Therefore, proper evaluation criteria should havebeen developed.Lessons Learnt Training Manual32for Sri Lankan Coastal

LessonsLearntSub Activity 04:Organization of a ceremony and final evaluation to selectbest schools which has been most creative in their practicesand ideas to convene the massage about dengue awarenessbased on the selected criterionsDescription Distribution of the prizes to schools; Use of the outputsfor project activities.Lessons learntAppreciation factorsThis kind of competitions should be aligned with theschool curricular. it must be thoroughly keep in mind toorganize at the terms which they do not have busyschedules. (End of the year is academically busiestperiod in schools in Sri Lankan context) so theorganizers have to organize their works and activities,after considering about the school terms;Panel of judges for this kind of competition should befrom the outside. These members should have athorough knowledge about the particular study area;Parties/ Schools who/which showed a dedication fromthe beginning of the program won the competition;By giving a presentation criteria and guidelines for thepanel presentation and allocation of a time for schoolsto present their activities helped the successfulcompletion of the final program;Children were given a chance to present their activitiesin their mother language. Therefore, they werecomfortable and presented confidently in the finalsession;Providing an encouragement fee of Rs. 3,750/= helpedthe students to carry out the program well; andLessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal33

LessonsLearntBy appointing a committee, sustainability of theprogram to carry out and develop a resilient city couldbe attained.To be improvedConducting a 10 minutes presentation constrained theschools from presenting the total activities they did inthe project;When conducting this kind of a program, it should bepublished and the people should be aware and shouldbe published in the local language media; andAll the participant student in the projects and programshould be participated in the final event. This couldn’tbe done during this program due to resource limitations.Lessons Learnt Training Manualfor Sri Lankan Coastal34