The Saritsa Foundation conducted disaster risk reduction workshops from May 5-10, 2012 for 850 school children and 40 teachers in Leh, Ladakh, India. Leh is located at an altitude of 11,500 feet above sea level and had experienced a devastating cloudburst flood in 2010. The workshops aimed to build the capacity of communities in the region, which is prone to earthquakes, floods, landslides, and extreme temperatures due to its geology and climate, to minimize risks from disasters. In 2007, Saritsa Foundation had traveled by motorcycle across 7 states to raise awareness and provide education in Ladakh, facing health challenges from the high altitude environment.

1. 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

2.  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.

3.  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.

4. 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

5. A Principal welcomes the team of Saritsa

6. Youngest volunteer - Ninie being congratulated by the
principal after her introduction of Saritsa Foundation to
the teachers and school children's.

7. A teacher expresses happiness after workshop

8. School children after the workshop

9. School children learn to protect from disasters

10. At highest cafe in the world at Khardungla run by army

11. Self at Khardungla height 18400ft

12. Near Khardungla pass - height of 18400ft .

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

14. A faculty at the workshop with equipment for
demonstration and practice.

15. Leh town from air

16. Future of Ladakh

17. A Ladakhi couple - connecting with the world.

18. THANK YOU