Transforming community disaster preparedness: PHEDM model evaluation in Uttarakhand, India

This study presents an evaluation of the PHEDM community‑based disaster and health emergency management model in two panchayats in Uttarakhand, India, with disaster risk reduction at its core. It examines why and how the first two tiers of the five‑tier PHEDM model were implemented across seven phases, using structured risk assessments and capacity‑building activities to strengthen preparedness. The study highlights measurable improvements in the intervention village—such as increased preparedness indices, expanded emergency response teams and enhanced WASH coverage—while the control village showed no significant change. These findings demonstrate the model’s potential for scalable, community‑centred disaster preparedness. 

The study recommends wider adoption of the PHEDM model to reinforce local resilience, emphasising the value of structured training, participatory risk assessment and regular drills. Lessons learned point to the importance of empowering communities, institutionalising CERT structures and integrating WASH improvements into preparedness planning. The authors suggest that scaling the model across similar rural contexts could strengthen disaster readiness and support long‑term adaptive capacity.