Strong community support is better assured through collaboration with local groups. Even in baghs (subdistricts) where shelters were not constructed, community support was strong because of the BNGs established by the project. Community ties nurtured through the BNGs have resulted in knowledge exchange, responsibility-sharing among the herders, and efficient use of BNG revolving funds and disaster risk reduction equipment and tools. BNGs organized various activities that benefited the whole community, such as road repairs and fence-building new fences. BNG funds were also used to buy livestock for vulnerable members, and this helped to strengthen the members' sense of community eventually working together more regularly to promote and sell their agricultural commodities; vaccinate livestock; prevent fires and floods; and shear cashmere, sheep, camel, and yak wool.
Strengthening Community Resilience to Dzud and Forest and Steppe Fires Project