Ahmedabad-based Mahila Housing SEWA Trust is one of the three winners of the 2019 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Trust was recognised for its innovative and inclusive approach bringing together scientific and indigenous knowledge and empowering women living in slum districts and enhancing the resilience of entire families against recurrent disasters including children, older persons and persons living with disabilities.
Executive Director of the Trust, Bijal Brahmbhatt, received the prestigious award for the work on building climate resilience for the urban poor in South Asia at the 6th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva from May 13-17.
“The work of @mahilahsg has built climate resilience for more than 100,000 people,” tweeted Brahmbhatt, as she received the award.
The other winner from India is Pramod Kumar Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.
Mishra was awarded for a lifetime of dedication to improving the resilience of communities most exposed to floods and drought, and his personal commitment to social inclusion as a critical principle to reduce inequality and poverty, enhancing the safety net of the socially and economically marginalized.
The Sasakawa Award is jointly organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Nippon Foundation.
There were 61 nominations from 31 countries. The jury selected three — two organisations and an individual.
“We received many excellent projects, and the choice was not easy to make but the finalists are the ones who demonstrated the most durable, sustained and comprehensive and inclusive approach towards disaster risk reduction,” said Marcie Roth, jury member.
The third winner was the Department of the Civil Defence of Campinas in Brazil, which was chosen for its unique sustainable community approach towards more inclusiveness, its strong local leadership and the active participation of all vulnerable groups in mapping and mitigating risks.
A total grant of $50,000 is distributed among the winners.
