DRR Events and Trainings for Stakeholder Engagement

Participation in 6th World Congress on Disaster Management in Dehradun
The 6th World Congress on Disaster Management (WCDM) 2023, held in Dehradun from November 28 to December 01, 2023, emerged as a pivotal global gathering to strengthen climate action and disaster resilience. This dynamic event was a collaborative effort orchestrated by the Government of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), Disaster Management Initiatives and Convergence Society (DMICS), and Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology (UCOST). The overarching theme of “Innovation, Communication, and Collaboration” underscored the urgency of unified efforts in addressing the challenges posed by disasters.
RISE Infinity Foundation’s Participation
Team RISE Infinity Foundation – MahaPECOnet Secretariat proudly contributed to the WCDM 2023, reflecting our commitment to advancing disaster management practices. Our distinguished representatives, Mr. Rajesh Shaiva and Shilpa Shirwadkar, presented a paper titled “Tech-Enabled Disaster Response and Collaboration” during the session on “Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience.” This session specifically delved into the crucial aspect of “Strengthening DRR and Resilient Systems.”
Celebrating 25 years of CYDA’s impactful journey at the WASH Summit – Session II: Technology in WASH.
Karon Shaiva, RISE Infinity Foundation – Secretariat of Maha PECOnet, emphasizes the importance of robust WASH systems in disaster reduction, promoting resilience, and innovative solutions. Discover the global connectivity of SDGs, spanning business, social, and environmental dimensions.
Let’s embrace RISE values and explore opportunities together! 💙🌱


The state level development partners meeting
was organised by UNICEF Maharashtra, where we had a great opportunity to represent the RISE Infinity Foundation and highlight our experience with the UNICEF partnership under MahaPECOnet. RISE Infinity Foundation ‘s MD and the Governing Council member of the MahaPECOnet Secretariat Ms. Karon Shaiva , discussed the Disaster Management project with the UNICEF Representative, Ms Cynthia Mc Caffrey
Demystify Disaster: Three Days residential training by the Resilient Foundation, Palghar
To harness the potential of the youth, MahaPECOnet’s partner organization, The Resilient Foundation, recently organized three-day residential workshop on Disaster Management and Climate Change. The event, titled “Demystify Disaster: Empowering the New Age of Youth,” took place at Grammangal, Aine, from December 22nd to 24th, 2023. A total of 25 young stars from Palghar, Thane, Mumbai and Ratnagiri districts participated in this residential training program including Shilpa Shirwadkar from the MahaPECOnet Secretariat. The shared experiences and hands-on activities in the training served as catalysts for empowering the new age of youth to become resilient leaders in the face of challenges. Special thanks to all participants, facilitators and The Resilient Foundation for making this event a beacon of empowerment for the future.


Drought Management Training in Nashik by Srishti Consultants
In light of the extreme weather patterns, characterized by both excessive rainfall in some districts of Maharashtra and a complete absence of rain in others during the month of July, concerns have arisen about the potential emergence of a drought-like situation in the year 2023. In response to these alarming indicators, a proactive approach was taken to enhance disaster preparedness through a two-day residential workshop on drought mitigation. The workshop was organized by the group experts and aimed at equipping NGOs with essential knowledge and skills to address and mitigate the impending drought challenge effectively. The MahaPECOnet Secretariat participated in a two-day “Drought Management” workshop by Srishti for Resilience on 1st and 2nd July 2023. It was attended by 14 representatives from various NGOs operating in Maharashtra and conducted in Marathi. It was featured by technical experts and a woman Sarpanch from a drought-prone village.
The topics covered under the workshop were as follows:
1] Drought Manual 2020 and Drought GR
2] Identification of drought-prone areas – tools and techniques
3] Multi-sectorial effect and reasons of drought
4] Case Studies of Marathwada and Vidarbha region
5] Grampanchayat level intervention for drought prevention
6] Role of NGOs in drought management
National Seminar on DRR for Resilient Informal Settlements at Bhopal, MP
The National Seminar on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilient Informal Settlements, organized by the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Bhopal in collaboration with UNICEF and other esteemed partners. The event took place on the 15th of December 2023 and it was a significant gathering that brought together experts and professionals in the field of Disaster Management. Distinguished speakers at the seminar included Sarabjit Sahota, a DRR Specialist at UNICEF, who shared invaluable insights on effective strategies and practices to mitigate the impact of disasters in vulnerable communities. Anil Gulati, a Communication Specialist at UNICEF, provided a communication perspective on DRR efforts. Margaret Gwada, Chief Field Officer of UNICEF MP, also graced the seminar with her presence and shared her experiences and strategies for effective field-level implementation of DRR initiatives. Karon Shaiva, a Governing Council member of MahaPECOnet, attended the seminar, further emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the field of Disaster Management. She actively engaged in discussions, fostering opportunities for cooperation and coordination among various stakeholders.
Bridging Knowledge and Action: Disaster Management Fare and First Aid Training at TISS, Mumbai
From December 7th to 8th, the Jamshedji Tata School of Disaster Studies (JTSDS) at TISS Mumbai hosted a dynamic Disaster Management Week, spotlighting crucial themes such as “Roaring Risk” and delving into disaster climate and coastal risk resilience concerning policy, praxis, and research on coastal areas. As part of the festivities, several esteemed organizations were invited to set up informative stalls on the college premises. The RISE Infinity Foundation-MahaPECOnet secretariat was actively involved in the event. Shilpa Shirwadkar and member organization Parivartansheel Sasntha’s Panjabrao Gavai attended a comprehensive first-aid training session facilitated by Abhijit Jadhav (JTSDS). The session covered essential topics, including the emergency triage system, key elements of search and rescue prioritization, fracture symptoms and treatment, and hands-on first-aid bandaging techniques. Discussions on collaboration synergies for conducting college students’ training sessions and establishing an institutional task force within MahaPECOnet were held with Dean Jacquleen Joseph and Prof. Mahesh Kamble.
Participation in IAG Consultation Session organized by Sphere India
In anticipation of the forthcoming Annual Lessons Learned Workshop scheduled for February 2024, Sphere India organized a virtual consultation on December 7, 2023, bringing together Inter-Agency Group Convenors and focal persons. The primary focus of the discussion revolved around the role of inter-agency collaboration in the humanitarian and development sector, particularly in addressing challenges posed by ongoing disasters. Participants, representing 13 diverse states, shared their unique experiences and challenges encountered in their respective regions. The consultation aimed to gain insights into Sphere India’s expectations and foster collaborative strategic planning. Notably, Ms. Shilpa Shirwadkar, representing the RISE Infinity Foundation – MahaPECOnet from Maharashtra, contributed by discussing the key achievements of MahaPECOnet 4.0, challenges faced during implementation, priorities and planning for 2024 and articulated expectations from Sphere India, including the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Decoding COP:28 Session by Sphere India
Sphere India organized an insightful session as part of COP:28, aimed at decoding Disaster Risk Reduction experiences. The session, held on the 20th of December 2023, brought together various stakeholders, experts and members of different Inter-Agency Groups to share their valuable insights. The primary goal of the session was to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of DRR experiences and interventions by creating a platform for diverse organizations, including NGOs and corporate agencies, to share their perspectives. Shilpa Shirwadkar from the secretariat actively participated in this illuminating session, adding depth to the discourse on Disaster Risk Reduction.











