New Delhi: A recent survey by a team of experts to assess the impact of Caritas India’s work in flood-affected areas of Bihar has found that the social organization needs a stronger advocacy policy with the state government.
“Without coordination, it becomes virtually impossible for an NGO like Caritas and partners to cover such humanitarian work given its complexity and terrain,” said K.M. Parivelam of Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS).
A team of experts from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and TISS had visited four flood affected villages in West Champaran district of the state from January 20-21 to assess the impact of Caritas India’s community managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR) program.
Visiting senior specialist from NDMA Naghma Firdaus later appraised district magistrate Shridhar C. on the alarming human conditions in the villages with no roads, electricity, school and medical facilities.
She also expressed shock that the district has access to less than 30 against 100 days of work under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Shridhar appreciated Caritas India and partners for the technically sound work in the field of disaster preparedness.
He further expressed the need to improve coordination between the state government, Caritas India and its partners.
He recommended the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign by Caritas in the form of flip charts for wider coverage in disaster management and risk reduction.
Caritas India, which is the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, have earlier oriented government personnel, panchayat raj institution members and other NGO partners during flood safety week.
Working among the flood affected villages for over five years in the district, it has prepared the villagers in forming task forces that take charge of rescuing, first aid, information and sanitation during any disaster situation, especially floods.
In the last two years, Caritas India has opted to implement a far more enhanced program for disaster risk reduction, managed by village communities.
The new program, besides being active and reactive during disasters, is also studying climate change and ways for renovating the shrinking wet lands in India in partnership with the Netherlands Red Cross, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, CARE Nederland, Cordaid and Wetlands International: the “Partners for Resilience”.
Source: press release