The ‘Resilience, Education, and Disaster Understanding for Community Empowerment (REDUCE) – Disaster Preparedness with Reference to Flood Disaster’ project was successfully implemented from September 2024 to March 2025 in the flood-prone districts of Darrang and West Karbi Anglong, Assam, with generous support from the Don Bosco Network, New Delhi. The project aimed to build community resilience through extensive awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness, conducted in collaboration with school authorities and local leaders. A series of training sessions, awareness programmes, and hands-on demonstrations equipped communities with the knowledge and skills to anticipate, respond to, and mitigate flood-related risks.

Key focus areas included early warning systems, emergency response planning, and sustainable flood management practices. In coordination with district disaster management departments and local stakeholders, BRO identified urgent needs and handed over essential rescue equipment to the Local Council Authority of both of the two districts, including 8 life buoys, 20 life jackets, 20 gumboots, 2 torch lights, 2 fire safety blankets, 20 pairs of hand gloves, 10 raincoats, 4 rescue knives, 2 ropes, a chainsaw, a tent, 2 manual sirens, and a wooden boat. An agreement was signed to ensure their proper maintenance and use during emergencies.

A notable outcome was the strong engagement of community leaders, youth, and volunteers, who now serve as first responders. The project has empowered communities with the tools and confidence to face future disasters effectively.