This document describes specific activities carried out as part of the pilot projects in Bangladesh, India and Nepal on "Community Approaches to Flood Management" kicked-off in November 2002 with the South Asia Regional Associates of Global Water Partnership (GWP). The manuals provide detailed lists and information on communal organization and activities, actions and suggestions at different stages of floods. The manuals also contain guidelines for strengthening the capacity of the communities to undertake flood management activities in a coordinated and more effective manner.

This synthesis is based on the three country-manuals, and highlights a set of key common responses which provide a broad and generalized framework. It also gives reference to which specific measures would need to be worked out for particular situations in different countries, taking into account the particular situational contexts. During the monsoon season in 2004, the community based flood management manuals were tested in the field, and found to be very useful to reduce loss of lives and property in the communities covered by the pilot project.