WAYANAD, Kerala—In an effort to boost grassroots-level disaster resilience in the rural district of Wayanad, Humane World for Animals India (formerly called Humane Society International India), in collaboration with the Kottathara Grama Panchayat, conducted a monsoon preparedness training program to raise awareness of the need to protect animals during disasters like floods and landslides. The session was attended by 35 Kudumbashree members from flood-prone wards of Kottathara. Kudumbashree is a women’s empowerment program implemented by the Government of Kerala.
Located in Wayanad’s floodplains, Kottathara faces frequent floods and landslides. The 2018 floods claimed over 150 animals, highlighting the urgent need for animalinclusive disaster risk reduction.
The event, inaugurated by Panchayat President Shri Raneeesh P P, featured expert-led sessions on basic preparedness measures, hazard mapping, animal first aid, and evacuation. The training’s educational objectives included identifying flood-prone zones, mapping potential temporary sheltering locations, forming a ward-based network of trained ‘animal responders,’ and distributing awareness materials in Malayalam and English.
"A well-prepared community is the strongest defense against disasters. There is much sense of relief in empowering the community, helping them to become first responders to tackle crisis situations. By co-learning with them and respecting their way of life, we build resilience—protecting both lives and livelihoods. Safeguarding animals isn’t just compassion; it’s vital for families who see them as kin and depend on them for survival," says Nayana Scaria, coordinator, disaster preparedness, response and relief at Humane World for Animals India.
“Women play a vital role in farm animal care in India, yet the greatest gaps in animal disaster services persist at the rural community level. This workshop empowered these essential community members to better prepare their families—and their animals—for future disasters,” says Gaia Bonini, senior specialist, international disaster response at Humane World for Animals Indis.
Participants also engaged in role-play exercises, watched an educational short film (Kudukkittu Pokaruthe) and shared real-life disaster experiences. A special session was led by Dr. Ratheesh from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), who demonstrated practical animal care techniques for emergencies.
Self-help groups like Kudumbashree, led by women, are powerful grassroots networks with deep household reach in districts like Kottathara. “Involving them in such programs is vital as they not only grasp new information quickly but also play a pivotal role in translating them into daily practice. Their leadership and influence make them central agents of change in the district,” adds Scaria.
“During the 2018–19 floods, we didn’t know how to rescue our pets, and that had a serious impact on our community in Kottathara Panchayat. But through this workshop, we’ve gained a clear understanding of how to protect animals during disasters. We learned about animal first aid, the disaster-prone areas in each ward, and the safe locations where animals can be relocated,” said Lissy George, a Kudumbashree member who attended the workshop.
