Raising Community Awareness for flash floods Risk Reduction in Abu Sbera (Aswan Governorate - Egypt)

In cooperation with the regional office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Egyptian Government is implementing a project entitled "Urgent Capacity Development for Managing Natural Disaster Risks of Flash Floods".

The specific objectives of the project include assessing the current status of Flash Flood Risks for a pilot hotspot (Abu Sbera in Aswan governorate), developing a risk management plan and enhancing a participatory approach in managing Flash Flood Risks.

In this regard, the Crisis Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Department (CMDRR) at the Egyptian Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), in cooperation with UNESCO and the Ministry of Water Resources and irrigation has designed a program for community awareness for flash flood risk reduction in the area of Abu Sbera in Aswan governorate.   

A two days workshop for raising community awareness has been implemented in the area of Abu Sbera (12 - 13 October 2013) including:

• General background about flash flood risks and its impacts.
• Meetings with the Governor of Aswan and local government officials.
• Open discussions with local community representatives including story telling about previous flash floods in the area.        
• Field visit to a primary school in the area of Abu Sbera including discussions with the students about their knowledge of flash floods.
• Presentation of posters and brochures for the students on how to react pre, during and after a Flash Flood.
• Organising a competition for the students.