Welcome to the Fan site of LEARN-NETWORKING! The LEARN concept consists of two pillars:a module-based training concept and a local networking strategy. The LEARN project is unique in its kind on Sumatra. LEARN is situated at an important interface of the Indonesian DRM structure closing the gap between the local disaster management entities (BPBD), NGOs on the spot, community organizations and mos
t importantly the affected communities. Despite the vast Indonesian DRR efforts, local and regional government officials do not yet have a sound enough knowledge of the complex issues regarding preparedness and emergency response in all its details and they are often too far from the grassroots level. Moreover, due to the LEARN trainings aspects of preparedness and disaster risk reduction are integrated into the daily project work and the resilience of people at the lowest level can be strengthened. This is a particular advantage of the project as the community level has so far not been reached by the Disaster Management efforts of the Indonesian government. Experiences show that behaviour patterns regarding preparedness and the reaction to disaster situations only happens gradually and over time and requires continuous training, simulations and repetition in all parts of society. The knowledge about preparedness and the behaviour during and after disasters all over Indonesia has doubtlessly improved
compared to the time before the devastating Tsunami in 2004 but is still in the beginning of a long pro-cedure. The development of preparedness strategies at the grassroots level is currently mainly supported by NGOs, hence, LEARN can contribute much to the strengthening of this process.
