Transforming DRR into People centered, People led and People owned campaign - Saritsa Foundation way .

The team of Saritsa foundation reaches to the most

vulnerable school children and teachers of Leh in

Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir from

5th May to 10th May 2012

State of Jammu and Kashmir in India is prone to many kinds of disasters. In October 2005,Jammu and Kashmir had a devastating earthquake. Tremors of earthquake are experienced in this region often. Kashmir lies in the area of collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates . The geological activity born out of this collision, also responsible for the birth of the Himalayan mountain range which is one of the causes of unstable seismicity in this region. It is also prone to flash floods, cloud bursts, extreme cold waves and land slides .

Saritsa Foundation has been preparing communities and especially school children to build their capacity in this region to minimize risks from disasters and climate change since 2007.

In continuation of its mission, Saritsa Foundation conducted workshops for 850 school children and 40 teachers from 5 May to 10 May 2012 at Leh in Ladakh division of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh town is situated an altitude of 11500 ft at above sea level. Mostly, altitude is 10000 ft above the sea level. Leh had a major disaster caused by a cloudburst on the night of 5,6 August 2010. The trail pain ,deaths and destruction left behind will be remembered for generations to come. The team of Saritsa Foundation found the school teachers and students highly curious for this kind of natural disaster.

A team of Saritsa Foundation consisting of 8 faculties and volunteers on motor cycles had travelled to Leh-Ladakh across 7 states to raise awareness and impart education to the people of Leh-Ladakh in year 2007. The campaign was started from Ahmadabad on 2nd October 2007. The team faced severe health challenges related with high altitude. There is a saying that only in Ladakh a person who has his head in the sun and his feet in the shade can endure both sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. It is an example of selfless service to the school children of Leh by the team.

Ladakh division consist of districts of Leh and Kargil. It has few distinctive features as under:-

It is largest district of Jammu and Kashmir covering 40,000 square miles. It has population of 1,50,000 people.

It has highest motor able road in the world which passes through Khardungla at height of 18,400 feet to trvel and communicate with NUBRA VALLEY.

It has a highest commercial airport in the world which is located at Leh at height of 11500 Ft.

Highest tank battle was fought in 1948 by the Indian army at the height of 3530m at Zozila pass to drive away invaders of Pakistan army.

Siachen is the highest army post and a battle ground at the height of above 20,000 feet.

It has highest gun positions where army has positions its artillery guns at the height of 5,000m.

It has highest telephone boot with STD at height of 4572m

A Principal welcomes the team of Saritsa Foundation

Youngest volunteer - Ninie being congratulated by the principal after her introduction of Saritsa Foundation to

the teachers and school children's.

A teacher expresses happiness after workshop

School children after the workshop

School children learn to protect from disasters

At highest cafe in the world at Khardungla run by army

Self at Khardungla height 18400ft

Near Khardungla pass - height of 18400ft .

A faculty speaking at the workshop about First Aid in disasters.

A faculty at the workshop with equipment for demonstration and

practice.

Leh town from air

Future of Ladakh

A Ladakhi couple - connecting with the world.

THANK YOU