Shearing Meeting in Nepal

30 September-2010,Lalitpur, Nepal

District level sharing meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction and climate change adaptation was successfully completed.

Sharing meeting was jointly organized by JCYCN, HRELIC, HIMAWANTI, Hoste-Haise and WCDF. In the sharing meeting different people from different organization were participated. 14 people from NGOs based on Bangladesh.  Nepalese journalist, political leaders, Government officers, social workers including other total 70 people were participated in that meeting.

During the meeting participants share their best practices of adaptation process on climate change. Meeting conclude climate change issue is our global issue so we should work together.

The meeting was conducted by the chairman ship of Kamala Sharma of HIMAWANTI, welcome speech and topic clarified by Tilottam of JCYCN and the program announce by Ramesh Prd. Timilsina of HRELIC Nepal.

Report of the training on (CMDRR) and (PDRA) in Nepal

28th November 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal

           Five days (24 to 28, November) Community Manage Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) training was successfully completed.

The training was organized bye Concern Universal Bangladesh in the support of Cordaid Netherland and local management support from JCYCN.

         13 participants from different five NGOs (JCYCN, HRELIC, HIMAWANTI, WCDF, HOSTE-HAINSE) are participated in the training.

           In the Opening ceremony of the training, President Ramesh Prd. Timilsina of Hrelic Nepal and President Tilottam Paudel of JCYC-Nepal welcome and thanks to participants and facilitators.

          Human development and education Head of Concern Universal, Abdul Hamid, Training Officer, Sabrim Sultana, Vice President of JCYCN, Radha Dhakal and vice Treasure of Hoste Haise Sarmila Ranabhat had played facilitator role on the topic of CMDRR and PDRA.  Abdul Hamid told that CMDRR is the best and long term process by the community to reduce risk of disaster. Sabrim Sultana stress this is a participator method and people use utilized their local resources. Similarly Radha Dhakal and Sarmila Ranabhat also share some idea to find the risk assessment.

          During the training session facilitators and participants share their ideas and experience like how to motivate community people, government, political leaders and others. To make training more fruitful participants did the group discussion/work, entertainment. To reduce risk of disaster participant make some strategic plane and action plane according to their group division.

After certificate distribution the program was formally end by Tilottam Paudel.

Report Prepared by

Bhisha Kafle

A Tale of Sona Fakir

‘Bahirchar Lathimara’ is the name of a village which is located on the edge of river Bishkhali. Almost two thousand families reside there. Of them Sona Mia is a fisherman, who became a legend of this village. He comes of a family where spiritual practice and humanitarian activities were the sole aim. His father Hossain Ali was a man of philanthropic activities. He was incomparable to all in his spirit. That is why he was well known as ‘Fakir’. The paternal belief tradition and activities have made a deep impression on Sona Mia in his nature.

On last SIDR, Bahirchar Lathimara was greatly damaged. Water level rose above 15 feet or more and destroyed all the belongings of nature and society. Since then there was none to extend rehabilitation & reconstruction activity. Sona Mia came forward and emerged as a legend of human being. He could realize that it was the moral responsibility to stand by the distressed people and to extend helping hand in these evil days. He took the responsibility of repairing the damaged roads and re-excavates the cannels.

After being trained as Radio Spot Manager under CBDRR project, he became more enthusiastic. He made realized to all through the monthly meeting of CLC and has become successful in repairing some roads. He also constructed temporary bridge made of the timber of Cawra and Data plant over two cannels. Thus he managed walking facilities for the people. Though he is a fisherman in profession, he sometimes became so much involved in social welfare that he cannot even go for fishing. Being a man of 50, he bears a very energetic impression in his body and mind. He is seen carrying the heavy bar of timber.

If he is inquired he replied smilingly and said indicating to his father’s benevolent activities that he was following the footprint of his father and was trying to reduce the suffering of the people. He said’ there is great mental peace in serving people”. He also remarks that he has worked for raising homestead of 11 houses since has received training. He also inspired for making portable oven and specially enjoys the activity of disseminating the early warning messages to the community people. 

Sona Mia believes that it will be followed then these would be no suffering during and after disaster. He wants to be immortal like his father and to live forever in the memory of the community people for his good work.

 

Reported by,

Md.Jahangir Alam

Coordinator, Disaster Management Unit
Dhaka Ahsania Mission

A determined advocate fighting for gender equality in the community

 The district of Patharghata, at the extreme end of the coastal belt of Bangladesh, is not only one of the most vulnerable areas to cyclones and tidal surges but it is also located in a very conservative part of the country. This combination has led to an unacceptable price in lives paid by young girls of the surrounding villages during cyclones. When a cyclone is about to hit the coast of Bangladesh, the community-based early warning system enters into action to mobilize all villagers and organize movement to the nearest cyclone shelters. Due to lack of awareness of local authorities on gender and child protection, the shelters are not a safe place for young girls: poor lighting, no separation of sleeping spaces and latrines, and absence of a security system all combine to create an environment where abuses are widespread. Many fathers prefer to leave their young girls at home, completely exposed to the winds and tidal surges, rather than risk taking them to the shelters.

Satu is aware well of this reality. A 14 year old girl and a student of class IX, she has already experienced two major cyclones in her lifetime. She recalls that when she took shelter in the school-cum-shelter close to her home with all the surrounding villagers, it was a very uncomfortable time for her and the other women and young girls. “In the shelter, other girls and I were repeatedly harassed by groups of boys, but when I complained to the leader, he did not listen to me”. She also observed discrimination against women and girls in the distribution of relief items and emergency services, which were always managed by men. Satu does not want to have to choose between her safety and her dignity: “it is not fair that some girls are left behind because their families are too scared taking them to the shelters”.

From the day she has been enrolled as a student brigade member in the Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) project, Satu has been waiting for the opportunity to raise her concerns to the authorities of her Union and to finally be heard. The project works with communities to better understand and plan around the risks they face. In doing so, the project emphasizes the participation of women, children and people with disability as being the most at-risk groups when a disaster hits. In October 2009, Satu represented the students in a Risk Assessment and Planning workshop organized by the CBDRR project in coordination with the local authorities of her Union. Not only did Satu share her preoccupations with the assembly, but she insisted that her recommendations towards enhancing the protection and participation of girls be included in the official Risk Reduction Action Plan and demanded to become a permanent member of her Union Disaster Management Committee – the mandated body for shelter and emergency response management at local level.

With continuous support from the CBDRR team, Satu is now a full member of her Union Disaster Management Committee and a powerful advocate for the rights of women in disaster. She took part in the First aid, search and rescue training representing as a member of Union Disaster Management Committee. In the training, trainer asked the participants: How do you make the community more aware of and more able to act during disaster?

“There are lots of similarities in the way of accidents, injuries, as well as illnesses. It is also observed the needs for first aid also having some common features in the country. When we consider all these things it is possible to come up with a common kit that will suit to all the communities and we need to mobilize the people more on that context” Satu replied.

            Now she is working as a change agent in the community playing legendary role for making women aware especially for disaster risk reduction. Moreover she also believes that she has more capability to deal with the vulnerable people with enough confidence.

Reported by,

Md.Jahangir Alam

Coordinator, Disaster Management Unit
Dhaka Ahsania Mission
Phone:(880-2) 8119121,Ext-145
Mobile:01710-231671

Meeting with Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the Honorable President of NEPAL

“Capacity Building of Local NGOs in Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation” project funded by Cordaid (Netherlands) capacitating 67 local NGOs in Bangladesh, India and Nepal

        On 1^st of December 2010 Concern Universal, Together with the 24 representative from seven local NGOs from Bangladesh (Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Friendship, Fight for Hunger based in Chittagong, Integrated Development Association of Bangladesh (INDAB) based in Barisal, Palli Gono Unnayan Kendra (PGUK) based in Barisal, PIDIM Foundation and Voluntary Association for Rural Development (VARD) based in Sylhet) and, five NGOs from Nepal (Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resources Management (HIMAWANTI), Hoste Haisne, Jagrati Child and Youth Concern Nepal, National Committee of Human Rights Education Club (HRELIC), Women and Children Development Forum) met with Dr. Ram Baran Yadav the President of Nepal at Rastrapati Bhawan (President Palace) in Katmandu, Nepal.

        During one hour meeting the discussion topic was around disaster risk reduction and changes from climate. The President of Nepal has been very cordial and interested to discuss the effects of climate change which are already severe on the Himalayan Chain. The President ensured to support to the NGOs.

        The meeting took place in the frame of the project “Capacity Building of Local NGOs in Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation”, funded by Cordaid (Netherlands) working with 67 local NGOs in Bangladesh, India (Assam and Meghalaya), and Nepal.

Reported by,

Abdul Hamid
Head - Organisational Development and Education
Concern Universal

Districts Level Sharing Meeting in Assam

   

  

 As a partner of Concern Universal, Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM) organized a districts level sharing meeting at Nalbari districts, Assam in India on 02 November 2010 in GVM conference room. Representative from district administration, disaster management department, several non-government organization, civil society organization and community people are attend in that meeting.

Reported By,
Sabrin Sultana
Project Officer, Training
CU- Bangladesh.

Training on CMDRR and PDRA in Assam

Training course on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) in Assam- India:

Concern Universal – Bangladesh organized a 5-day residential training cum workshop on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) from 26 – 30 October 2010 in Hotel ALANKAR, Guwahati, Assam, India. Representatives from 5 Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) that is Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM), Rural Volunteer Centre (RVC), Impulse NGO Network, Morigaon Mahila Mehfil (MMM) & Global Organisation for Life Development (GOLD) joined in that training.

Reported By:

Sabrin Sultana

Project Officer – Training

Concern Universal- Bangladesh.

First Coordination Meeting of the Partner NGOs of West Bengal

Minutes of the Meeting

Date: 02 November 2010

Organised by: Concern Universal, Bangladesh

Venue: Sanlaap, 38B, Mahanirban Road, Kolkata

Participants:  1. M. Mandal  , SLARTC, 2. Sutapa Ghosh, PRISM, 3.Kamalesh Mandal -   RLSK, 4.  Roshan P. Lakra, ABCD,  5.  Aniruddha Dey,PRISM, 6.   Indrani Sinha -   Sanlaap, 7.   Himani Bose, WIF, 8. Debasish Mandal, Bandhan, 9. Md Zahed Nowaz  -CU, B’Desh, 10. Abdul Hamid,CU, B’Desh, 11. Kanika Chakraborty,CU, B’Desh

Meeting started with small notes on backgrounds of the partner organisations.

Discussion:

1. All partner NGOs of West Bengal will join the State Inter Agency Group – West Bengal and help their partner organisations also to become members of the same.
2. The possibility of promoting a CMDRR forum with like-minded organisations needs to be discussed and necessary steps to be taken to materialise it.
3. Co-ordination meetings will be organised at least once in three months where the senior management of the seven organisations will meet. It was proposed that this could be taken as an opportunity for the partners and could be divided into two sessions – first, a technical session, so that members would be benefitted from sharing the experiences and knowledge of others and second, discussion on the agenda of coordination meeting.
4. It was also proposed that there should be similar coordination meetings every month where the field level staffs / second line leaders could meet and exchange their experiences.
5. A Blog – ‘Learning with the community’ has been developed through which members can share their best practice examples to Blog Manager, Shri Nilangshu Gain of PRISM. Blog Link: http://commulearning.blogspot.com/
6. Members will share their plans and activities on a regular basis and develop a habit of sending reply mails.
7. Its time for the group to think about other activities/programmes on DRR and climate change issues, formulate projects, form consortium and try to generate resources/funding.
8. Regarding Sharing Meetings – Responsibilities of the partners to share the project and activities with the government departments at different levels was discussed. Partner NGOs of West Bengal will share with the district and state level government departments, similarly the partner NGOs of Assam and Meghalaya will share at their respective districts and state level government departments. Then there will be sharing at the national level in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Thereafter sharing at the international level will take place within the project period.
9. It was decided that on 09 February 2011 Second Co-ordination meeting would be held at SLARTC office, P/112 Lake Terrace, Kolkata – 700029, Mobile: +919433454183.
10. Agenda for the Sharing Meeting on 03 November 2010 was also discussed, which were as follows:

a)      A small note on the project by CU, B’Desh for setting the perspective

b)      Self Introduction – Name, Organisation, Major Focus/Thrust areas

c)      Project briefing by CU, B’Desh

d)     Accomplishments so far

e)      Open discussion

Finally the participants thanked Indrani di and all members of Sanlaap for hosting the first coordination meeting and thanked the members of Concern Universal, Bangladesh for all their efforts and also for giving us an opportunity to work together. 

Reported by

Dr Aniruddha Dey,

PRISM

Report of the training on (CMDRR) and (PDRA) in Kolkata

          Concern Universal – Bangladesh organized a 5-day residential training on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR) and Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) from 26 – 30 October 2010 in Seva Kendra, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Representatives from 7 Non Governmental Organizations(NGO), BANDHAN, Association of Bengal Collaborators for Development (ABCD), Professional Institute for Development & Socio Environmental management (PRISM), Ramakrishna Loka Seva Kendra, SANLAAP,

Socio-legal Aid Research & Training Centre (SLARTC) and Women’s Interlink Foundation (WIF) joined in that workshop. Each day, we started our days with a chorus and a recap presentation of the last day’s issues and wherever we felt fatigue with R=(H x V)/C, Rushi (from WIF) spell bounded us with her enchanting melodies.  It was so colourful and vibrant symposium that both the trainees and facilitators enjoyed a lot. It was also became a zone of cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh.

Day I(26^th October ,2010):

The session was started at 9.00am. Manbendra Mondal, Dr. Aniruddha Dey, Fr. Shyamal were present in the opening session. Kanika chakroborty from CU-B’desh told us about the Concern universal activities in Bangaldesh and their CMDRR and Climate change adaptation project networks in Bangladesh, Nepal and India. All the participants introduced themselves and wrote 2-3lines about their expectations from the training. Trainees were divided in to three groups – Golap, Rajani Gandha and Palash.

Inaugural speech by Mr. Manabendra Mondal

After tea, there were detailed discussion on Disaster Risk reduction(DRR), Evaluation of DRR, Hazards, Vulnerability, Capacity , Risk, Duration, Early warning, forewarning, warning, frequency, period of occurrences, Speed on set disaster, Survivability, CMDRR vs CBDRR etc. After lunch, the subject of discussion was climate change and its effects on us. At the end, we got the interrelation between Disaster and Development.

Day-II (27^th October, 2010):

Always helping !!!

We met Mr. Hamid and got ideas of his activities in Bangladesh. He also told us about the administrative structures of his country. We had a series of discussion on community’s role and our and their (community) perceptions and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA). We did group works with 8 PRA tools in many charts and posters were made. There were discussions (arguments also !!!) on these charts and posters. After tea, there was session on Hazard assessment and also had group works to assess Hazards.  

Day-III (28^th October, 2010):

Saira Banu didi explaining her chart

We had some confusion on assessing Hazards but were cleared after discussing with Mr. Hamid and Kanika Madam. We had detailed discussions on vulnerability , Two fold Capacity Measurement- To cope with Hazards and To cope with Vulnerability. Also learnt that in CMDRR perspective capacities are divided like these: -Hazard prevention and mitigation capacities (capacities addressing hazard) Survivability and community readiness capacities (capacities addressing vulnerability). We had group works on vulnerability and capacity assessments (prevention and mitigation). We displayed our works and it became quite interactive.

Day-IV (29^th October,2010):

Group work going on - Rushi is serious !!

We spend whole day in learning strategy development for CMDRR and to draw appropriate Action plan.  We had lot of group works on it but never felt disgusted. Mr. Tarapada Babu ( from SLARTC) persuaded Fr. Raggi( Heah of Seva Kendra) to arrange a special lunch for us!! Big hands for him !!!

Day-V (30^th October,2010):

Tarapada da you are simply amazing !!!

Fr. Shyamal, Manabendra Nath Mondal, Dr. Aniruddha Dey, Zahed( from CU-B’desh) joined with us. All the groups presented their report on Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA). There was a question answer session on it. After that, we had discussion on documentation, case story writing and sharing. After lunch, we had a serious discussion on Participatory Monitoring Evolution and Learning (PMEL) and connecting CMDRR with the Govt. policies. Mr. Mondal and Dr. Dey also joined with Mr. Hamid. The end session was on self sustainability of CMDRR in the community. At the end of the training representatives of all the 7 organizations submitted their next three months plans on introducing CMDRR.