Baseline Survey Training Report of four community radio stations under the project - Disaster Preparedness through Community of Practice

As per the strategic plan (2015-2021) of COL-CEMCA and its mandate of developing and disseminating learning resources based on flexible and blended model, CEMCA is developing the disaster preparedness skill of communities living in the east coast of India through community of practice (COP). The project aims to create awareness on disaster management and disaster preparedness through COP and thereby raising knowledge level, disaster management and disaster preparedness skills and converting listeners to learners

A baseline study is essential before the content creation of Community Learning Programme (CLP) to give an insight into the development of content and to understand the status of knowledge of the community in in disaster preparedness.  The data obtained from the study will help the community to be on board as stakeholders. In this regard, CEMCA engaged the services of the following Community Radio Stations for the Baseline Study:

• Radio Namaskar, Orissa
• Radio Ala, Andhra Pradesh
• Kadalosai CR, Tamil Nadu
• Nila CR, Puducherry 

The baseline survey was conducted in four CRS with the following objectives:

Objective

• To create awareness on Disaster Management through the COP
• To raise the level of knowledge and skill on disaster management.
• To raise the level of disaster preparedness

CEMCA organised a 5 day training programme for Baseline Survey and Data Entry in the CR stations to collect and enter the data skilfully. 
 

20 participants from each station attended the training workshop prior to the actual data collection.

Ms. Shirley Priya Deepak, Programme Officer – Skills, CEMCA and Ms. Pinky Chandran, Radio Active Bangalore conducted the training workshops at the CRS. 

The training programme covered the procedures and modalities of the Baseline Survey. The training also focussed on data entry techniques using available ICT. 
Trainees were given mock-trials and were deployed in the field for further experience. The supervisors were trained to check and verify the data.  

During the survey, 80 youth (30 Female, 40 Male)  were trained for data collection and data entry, 8 CR practitioners (3 Female, 1 Male) were trained in data verification and supervision during data collection and 1000 people were contacted from the catchment area for data collection.