SPPD’s disaster risk reduction strategies and emergency response planning helped Chennai recover from the devastating 2015 floods, focusing on post-disaster recovery, community resilience, and sustainable relief efforts.

Chennai Floods 2015: Immediate Response

Rapid Relief Distribution: Provided emergency kits to flood-affected families in Teynampet, including:

• Food & Water: Rice, cooking oil, sugar, and clean water packets.
• Hygiene Essentials: Sanitary pads, toiletries (soap, towels, and toothbrushes).
• Livelihood Support: Utensil kits (pots, plates) and carbon emission-free smokeless stoves to reduce indoor pollution.
• Shelter Aid: Mats, mosquito nets, and bed sheets.

Long-Term Rehabilitation (2016–2017):

• Restored access to basic services for displaced families.
• Conducted disaster preparedness training to build climate resilience.

Educational Support for Schools & Children

SPPD’s disaster relief efforts prioritized educational equity and child welfare post-2015 Chennai floods:

School Infrastructure Aid: Distributed essential supplies to four Teynampet schools (*Appadurai, Panagal Park, Vanniyar, Dr. Giriyappa Corporation Primary Schools*):

• Student/staff chairs, mats, file cabinets, and games materials.
• Student Kits: Provided 500+ vulnerable children with:
• Shoes, socks, uniforms, stationery, and ID cards.

Disability Aid Initiatives

To ensure inclusive recovery, SPPD delivered assistive devices to people living with disabilities:

• Mobility aids: Crutches, elbow crutches.
• Hearing aids and adaptive cots for improved quality of life.

Disaster Risk Reduction & Shelter Rehabilitation

SPPD implemented post-disaster recovery programs to rebuild 104 flood-damaged homes in Chennai, ensuring emergency shelter aid and community resilience:

• Renovation Support: Provided construction materials (e.g., roofing tarpaulin sheets, beams) tailored to each family’s needs.
• Safe Shelter: Enabled families to secure durable roofing, protecting them from weather extremes and health risks.
• Grassroots Impact: Strengthened basic needs fulfilment by prioritizing vulnerable households in flood-affected zones.

Community Awareness & Disaster Preparedness Programs

SPPD’s disaster risk reduction strategies empower Chennai’s vulnerable communities through emergency response planning, first aid training, and grassroots resilience-building.

Key Initiatives

1.Large-Scale Training Programs

• Immediate first aid and emergency sanitation.
• Roles, team coordination, and community communication touch points.
• Rescue techniques for children trapped in collapsed structures.
• Conducted 47 programs for 2,556 participants, including children and older adults.

2.Adult Disaster Response Clubs (ADRC)

• Assist adults with disabilities during disasters.
• Mobilize rapid response teams for flood-prone slums.

3.Child-Centric Disaster Preparedness

• Taught children whistle-based distress signals and evacuation protocols.
• Simulated rescue drills for students in demolished buildings.

Partnerships & Methodology

• Mr. Palani (Chairman) and Mr. Lawrence (Disaster Demo Lead) facilitated training.
• Mr. Subramaniyan (First Aid Trainer) led hands-on workshops.
• Focused on participatory learning, with interactive Q&A sessions on disease prevention and crisis management.

Impact & Outcomes

• Enhanced Preparedness: Communities now prioritize flood resilience and post-disaster recovery plans.
• Youth Engagement: Children actively share knowledge on sanitary measures and rescue tactics.

Support for Gaja Cyclone-Affected Communities

SPPD, in partnership with Global Giving and National Mother & Child Welfare Organization, delivered disaster relief efforts and post-disaster recovery programs to communities devastated by Cyclone Gaja:

1.Emergency Relief Distribution: Provided food security kits and clean water to 268 families to combat hunger and malnutrition.
2.Agricultural Rehabilitation:Replaced lost tools for 70 women farmers, enabling sustainable agriculture practices and restoring livelihoods.
3.Disaster Risk ReductionConducted 5 community training programs on disaster preparedness, emergency response planning, and climate resilience strategies.

Support for People Affected by Kerala Flood

With the support from Global Giving we have tried our best to assist the victims of the Kerela floods. As per the interventions following activates were conducted.

- Food & water packets were distributed to 275 families<
- Provisions and cleaning materials.
- 7 families were provided with proper shelter through renovation of their houses damaged in the flood.
- 5 training programme on disaster preparedness were conducted for the community