Tbong Khmum Province, Cambodia | 26–29 November 2025
Supported by the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF) under the Asian Preparedness Partnership, funded by the Gates foundation, recently trained local trainers conducted a series of echo trainings across four flood-prone communes Prek A-Chi, Svay Khlaing, Tonle Bet, and Chiro Ti Mouy to strengthen community-level disaster preparedness. The trainings reached 92 participants, including 22 women, and were facilitated by Commune Committee for Disaster Management (CCDM) members who had recently completed Training of Trainers under the Cambodia Preparedness Partnership (PPC).
Cascading Preparedness Knowledge at the Community Level
The echo trainings were designed to translate technical knowledge into practical, community-relevant learning. Sessions focused on hazards and disasters, early warning systems (1294), gender-responsive disaster risk reduction, and local flood preparedness, reflecting priority risks faced by Mekong River–adjacent communities in Krouch Chhmar and Tbong Khmum districts.
Each commune training was led by local CCDM trainers using participatory methods, including group discussions, experience sharing, and practical demonstrations. This approach enabled participants to identify local hazards, reflect on past disaster experiences, and better understand the importance of timely early warnings and inclusive preparedness practices.
Commune-Specific Engagement and Participation
Between 26 and 29 November 2025, the trainings were delivered sequentially at commune halls, with participation ranging from 14 to 30 community members per site. Trainers emphasized practical learning, encouraging active participation through small-group work, visual tools, and open discussion. The sessions introduced and reinforced use of the national Early Warning System 1294, ensuring participants understood how to receive and act on warning messages relevant to their daily lives.
Reinforcing Local Ownership and Sustainability
Closing sessions across the four communes highlighted the value of locally led preparedness efforts. Commune authorities and participants acknowledged the importance of building disaster risk management knowledge within vulnerable communities and recognized the role of local trainers in sustaining preparedness beyond project timelines.
By enabling CCDM members to lead and deliver trainings directly at the community level, the ADRF-supported initiative reinforces local ownership and strengthens the capacity of communes to prepare for and respond to recurring flood risks.
Call to Action
To learn more about how ADPC and the Asian Preparedness Partnership are supporting locally led disaster preparedness in Asia and the Pacific, visit www.adpc.net and www.app.adpc.net
