Trainer’s Guidebook

The project to develop the “Community-Based Disaster Risk Management for Community Health Workers” focuses on equipping Lady Health Workers (LHWs) with the knowledge and skills necessary to play an active role in disaster risk reduction and community health responses. Developed by the National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Network (NHEPRN) with financial backing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and technical support from the Network of Disaster Management Practitioners (NDMP), the project was aimed to strengthen the capacities of community-based health workers across Pakistan.

This comprehensive resource is part of WHO’s broader “One UN Joint Program on Disaster Risk Management,” which emphasizes community and local-level risk reduction. It offers a structured framework for training community health workers in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and recovery. The Trainer’s Guidebook is designed to accommodate the diverse educational and professional backgrounds of health workers, ensuring accessibility while addressing a wide range of community health challenges associated with disasters.

The guidebook plays a crucial role in developing a pool of master trainers who can cascade training to local health workers, enhancing disaster resilience. It provides clear guidance through lesson plans, methodologies for session delivery, and the tools required to facilitate effective training sessions.

Key features of this trainer’s guidebook include detailed training modules that cover topics such as hazard assessment, health-based risk reduction planning, psychosocial support, emergency response management, and integration with district-level disaster management committees. It also emphasizes the use of participatory tools, such as mapping and risk assessment matrices, enabling health workers to assess community vulnerabilities and capacities effectively.

With a focus on practical application, the guidebook includes facilitation guides for trainers, participant activity sheets, and assessment tools to ensure the learning objectives are met. The ultimate goal is to empower health workers to act as first responders and facilitators in disaster situations, contributing to resilient and healthier communities.