ANNUAL REPORT RVC 2016-17
Organization’s Motto of the year for 2016-17 has been “Think globally, act locally.
FORWORD
It has been the 22nd year of Journey of RVC to realize the vision of “An epidemic free just society with appropriate technology and self-reliance”. The Organization started in a community donated land through mobilizing support from the community in terms of bamboo and labor as well as a little disposition fund from SWRC, Tilonia. Those early and mid nineties years were of extreme resource crunches but commitment of volunteers, local communities, who want to translate the Organization’s vision into community’s vision negated with the adverse conditions and act as a catalyst within their own communities, living in close proximity with the communities and thereby kept the vision moving ahead. In those days the works of RVC, mainly focused on organizing the communities to work for a common cause/goal as per the local needs, priorities and choices; bringing about behavioral changes in WASH issues through awareness generation camps and developing accessibility availability , promotion of rural handicrafts, promotion of pig banks, plantation works. The support was been mobilized mainly from SWRC-Tilonia, SWRC-Daporijo, UNICEF, NABARD, ASTEC, PHED etc.
Since late nineties, Organization regular access to resources ensured mainly to response to the crises of the flood affected people in distress followed by to work on Community Based Disaster Preparedness. Since the early years of the new millennium we restructured our missions in the line of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) across the following thematic areas- Promoting decent employment opportunities to eradicate poverty, Primary education focusing on the rural children, women empowerment to promote gender equity, Health issues focusing of MCH and RCH to bring down IMR, CMR and MMR. It needs mention that Disaster Risk Reduction is a cross cutting issues across all the thematic areas. The works were been supported by the global partners like- ECHO, DFID, UNICEF, UNDP, Action Aid, Oxfam, CRS, Save the Children, AFNA as well as national partners like- Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Nawajbai Tata Trust, VHAA and many to add to the list. Our works also been supported by Department of Science and Technology, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Department of Information Technology (DIT) under Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Govt. of India; Department of Adult Education, GoA; Department of Primary education, GoA; Department of Health & Family welfare, GoA; Department of Rural Development, GoA and many to many to add the list.
Since the year 2012-13, followed by the years 2013-14 and 2014-15 we have revisited/realigned our works, take stock of our achievements in the light of the MDGs, and during the year 2016- 17 we redefined our goals in conformity with SDGs. Like for any Organization across the globe redefining the goals of an organization requires extensive participatory brainstorming, RVC has also gone through this phase in the year 2016-17 and for which as chief functionary of the Organization I would like to convey my hearty thanks to General body members of RVC, EC members of RVC, CMT members of RVC and all other well wishers of RVC donor agencies who supported in the process to set intermediary goals (2016-17 to 2021-22) of RVC in the line of SDG 2016-2030.
1 Director, RVC BRIEF PROFILE OF THE ORGANIZATION:
1. Name of the Organization: Rural Volunteers Centre (RVC) 2. Address: : Village+P.O=Akajan, Via-Silapathar District-Dhemaji, State-Assam PIN-787 059 3. Location (working): Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli District of Assam and West Siang and East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh
4. Legal status:
o Registered under 1860 Society registration Act o Registered under FCRA (for international funding) o 12 A (tax exemption for NGO income): Yes o Registered under NGO portal of Niti Ayog. 5. Year of establishment. Vision, Mission, Goals, Geographical coverage etc
A. Year of establishment 1993 B. Vision An epidemic free just society with appropriate technology and self- reliance C. Mission • Appropriation of rural technologies, skills and practices through participation of the community to ensure better and secured living opportunities. • Empowering children, adolescent and women of the under privileged section of the community to thrive through ensuring access to health, education and protection measures as well as well as active participation. • Empowerment of the women of the indigenous groups and the under privilege section of the communities to assert their rights through action on the factors causing denial to justice. • Strengthening of coping mechanism of vulnerable people with disaster through empowerment of community based organization and systems/practices prevalent at community level. • Actively engage with Government to address gaps in systems and policies in management of natural resources as well as empowering community to adapt to climate change and Disaster Risk Reduction locally. D. Theme Goal District 01. End poverty in all its Promotion and empowerment of at least 5000 Dhemaji, forms everywhere. adolescents and youths through investment for Lakhimpur, Majuli inculcating knowledge, skills and resources as well as access to basic services to ensure decent livelihood opportunities within the year 2022. 02. End hunger, achieve Facilitating social, preventive and remedial Dhemaji, Majuli. food security and measures as well as promoting enabling Lakhimpur improved nutrition and environment to access basic services under food promote sustainable and nutrition, targeting at least 5000 vulnerable agriculture. families to reduce under nourishment, anemia within the year 2022. 03. Ensure healthy lives To create an environment of acceptability and Dhemaji, Majuli, and promote well- deliverability to reduce /eliminate IM, CM and Lakhimpur being for all at all ages. MM at least in 100 numbers of underserved, unserved villages and hard to reach villages working in partnership with Government, local governance, other agencies by 2022. 04. Ensure inclusive and To empower 5000 families from the Dhemaji, Majuli quality education for all underprivileged sections of the communities and promote lifelong and 100 SMCs/SMDs to understand and learning: implement quality education with special focus on the curriculum, integrating IT and life skills development in lesson plan as well as ensuring special education to the deserved children, adolescent targeting 10000 children from primary and high and higher school section. 05. Achieve gender Empowering 5000 women, adolescent, youth Dhemaji, Majuli, equality and empower and men to reduce/eliminate violence against Lakhimpur women and girls. women at home, work place, public place, private place as well as eliminate early marriage, forced marriage in active collaboration with Government, local governance and community institutions by 2022. 06. Ensure access to water To empower 5000 children, adolescent and Dhemaji, Majuli, and sanitation for all. youth; 100 SMC/SMDC to develop, adopt and Lakhimpur implement WASH plan in 300 Primary, high and higher schools by 2022. 07. Take urgent action to To empower at least 10000 vulnerable Dhemaji, combat climate change communities including children, adolescents, Lakhimpur, Majuli and its impacts: youth, women in upper Brahmaputra river basin towards adaptation to climate change and DRR locally.
08. Geographical coverage: In the last 25 years since inception the Organization has been working particularly in flood plains of Dhemaji District, Lakhimpur District and Majuli Sub-Division of Jorhat District of Assam as well as West- Siang and East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh; and in general throughout the north eastern states. The core working area of RVC covers 2 States,5 Districts, 13 Development Block, 47 Panchayats, approximately 750 villages .
06. RVC has been work in partnership with:
Apart from working with National and International Organizations RVC have been awarded with the honor to work with Ministry of Home, GoI; Ministry of Science & Technology, GoI; Ministry of Rural Development, GoI; Department of Adult Education, GoA; Department of Primary education, GoA; Department of Health & Family welfare, GoA; UNICEF and UNDP.
07. Name, contact number and email address of Chief functionary (CEO/Director)
Name: Luit Goswami Contact no: 9954179520/6002538040 E-mail: [email protected]/[email protected]
08. Management structure: Apart from the General body and Governing body RVC has one more structure/team within the Organization which is known as Core Management Team (CMT)/Leadership team which is formed by the Governing body of RVC. The CMT comprises of 7 members (on date) of which 2 women and 5 male. Out of these 7 members 2 are from the Governing body of RVC, one from finance, one looks after logistic part of the Organization 3 from project (project manager or project coordinator). Roles and responsibilities of CMT:
01. To monitor the day-to day activities of RVC both within the project as well as internal to RVC. 02. To solve any dispute (if arise) within the team. 03. To keep stock whether the Organization is functioning within adopted policies, vision, mission, goals and values of RVC. 04. To liaison with all the partners with whom RVC is working at the field, with other NGOs, networks as well as Government. 05. To update the director on all aspects (financial and non-financial periodically) and in turn to the GB.
09. Team capacity (Gender wise)
Female Male Total 10 31 41
10. Team capacity (Engagement type) Volunteer Part time Full time 500+ 02 39
11. Communities RVC are engaged with:
In broader context the socio-economic background of the community with which RVC is engaged are “ST, SC and rural poor”.
12. Map of the working area of RVC:
ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY RVC DURING THE PERIOD :
01. CSO opinion on risk landscaping development programming and risk informed processes:- An internal study of RVC
As the world is rapidly changing, the challenges of the contemporary world are also evolving and becoming far more complex. It has been gradually agreed upon that climate change is the biggest of the lot facing the contemporary world today. Similar evidences have been witnessed across the working area of RVC. As RVC, during the period devoted ample time in redefining its goal in align with SDGs SFA hence an in depth analyses of the situation has been undertaken by RVC independently by RVC during the period. A brief of the understanding has been shared below from the community lens.
It is high time now to build retrospective perspectives to investigate the process of national, regional and local development by integrating/comparing with trends not only of climate change but the linkages between prevailing social unrest, political crisis, conflicts and disasters. It is in this regard, civil society opinion can be very effective as local realities and evolving development deficiencies are better explored from community perspective by the civil society organization. As we are preparing to write a book on risk informing development in the context of Assam, the contribution by civil society is of high importance. We request you to elaborate as much as possible on the following:
The hazard scenario in the district/s? How has it evolved/evolving? Note: What are the main hazards facing your district/locality today and why? Focus on your/your organizations’ geographical area of operation and experience Whether hazards have an increasing or decreasing trend? Explain community perspective in this regard and evidences if any Which historical events have contributed towards the trend? E.g., the impact of the ‘Great Assam Earthquake-1950’ in changing the flood scenario in Assam Which hazards will you prioritize for your district/locality and why? How hazards are contributing to or affecting the development of your district/locality Understanding of “Hazard” of the Organization RVC is a set of natural, anthropogenic or phenomenon which are combination of both; that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, alienation from IGA activities, disruption of existing service delivery mechanisms like, AWC Health, Education, environmental degradation, socio-cultural disintegration etc.
In the context of hazard scenario in the working areas (Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli District) of RVC flood and erosion are the recurrent hazards followed by high speed storms/whirl wind, thunderstorm with lightening, landslides and periodic drought like situation during the Rabi cropping season.
Tracing back the evolvement of flood and erosion (the main hazards) phenomenon in these 3-Districts, the comments of the experts on River issues as well as community’s perspectives largely pointed towards the great Assam earthquake 1950. This earthquake with magnitude of 8.6 caused widespread devastation across the frontal regions of the NE Himalayas. According to the experts on seismological events this earthquake changed the topographical features in the eastern syntaxes and caused havoc in the frontal region of NE Himalayas, making drastic impact on human civilization which still persists. The more than 20 years experiences of working in the flood plains of north bank of Upper Brahmaputra River basin which involves extensive communication with communities as well as interaction with experts on River issues have led RVC to resolved that during and post phenomenon (aftershocks) of the earthquake which changed the geomorphologic character of the region, led to extensive siltation on the river-bed, massive river bank erosion, changes of river courses, destruction of forest areas, blocking of tributaries of Brahmaputra River due to massive landsides which afterward caused massive flooding are the thrust points of evolvement of floods and erosion in the region which is still going on unabatedly.
It has been also been observed that the flood and erosion hazards evolved along with the great Assam earthquake-1950 has been further intensified due to the “scientific measures” adopted by the policy makers/technocrats which lacked farsightedness/vision. Since the 1st five-year plan of GoI measures to control flood is been raised, discussed, resolved and implemented. The measures which are been promoted during the period early 50s to mid 70s are largely structural measures viz. Construction of dam-reservoirs to tap excessive water during monsoon, construction of embankments to tap the rivers from overflowing, construction of barrages etc. But this measures, in the long run proved ineffective due to improper planning, lack of monitoring mechanism as well as undermining the contemporary natural and anthropogenic factors which attribute towards flood hazards like “earthquake, erosion, siltation landslides, deforestation, extraction industries, activities related to development like construction of bridges over the Rivers, construction of roads, interstate and trans-national factors, changes in climatic conditions etc.
In the context of the region covered here, the flood and erosion control measures largely involves construction of embankment supported with dykes, boulder pitching, sand-filled bags, porcupine etc. The measures of constructing embankments in this region been undertaken from the early sixties to address a 25-years flood-cycle with focus only on monsoonal rainfall undermining all the other factors mentioned above. The embankments been constructed with a 25-years flood cycle in this region deserved to be strengthened, heightened in the mid-eighties, has been completely undermined, which led to massive flood in the region from the late eighties. According to the communities in the flood plains of the region, the year 1984 and 1988 are the doom-years, initiating new waves of extremely devastating flood compound with erosion affecting thousands of population every year with varying magnitudes. Although since 1988 flood has turned to be a yearly recurrent phenomenon but the years 1996(mega-magnitude), 1998(mega magnitude), 2000(mega-magnitude), 2002 (mega-magnitude), 2003, 2004(mega-magnitude), 2007, 2008 (mega-magnitude), 2010, 2012(mega-magnitude), 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are the years in which the region witnessed massive flood and erosion and in all these years the “breaches on the embankments” of River Brahmaputra and its tributaries is the underlying factor of the affect where as the cause of the same varies as shown below-
Flood 1996 is due to excessive rainfall leading to breaches on the embankment on Brahmaputra in several points across the length of the embankment on Brahmaputra which is nearly 174 Kilometers. Food 1998 is due to excessive rainfall, dilapidated embankment (the flood 1996 extensively weakened the already weakened embankment system). Flood 2000 is considered as one of the floods which are combination of natural phenomenon as well as anthropogenic activities. Although not confirmed by any authorized source it is worthy to mention that wide discussion regarding blowing down of a earthen dam by one of the neighboring countries of India in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River triggered unprecedented flood in the region as well as in the downstream also. The flood 2007(flash-food), which is due to breach on the River Kumotia (one of the major feeding rivers of River Brahmaputra in the north bank. The then Superintendent of Police, Dhemaji District, quoted in the print media that the incident has taken place due to “cloud- bursting” in the upper reaches of the river resulting in enormous excessive rainfall triggering the havoc. Worthy to mention that, these communities have interacted with flood after a period of 32 years. The flood 2008 which ripped through tens of villages as well as Lakhimpur town was due to release of water from the reservoir of the Ranganadi hydro-electric power project. It has found that a considerable portion of the affected populations interacted with flood for the first time and another lot of populations after a period of 40 years. The flood 2010(flash flood) by the Gai nadi which resulted in death of 11 persons as well as missing of 2-persons, the maximum in case of fatality in District Dhemaji in a single event is due to extensive rainfall out of cloud bursting in upper reaches of the River. The flood 2016 (flash flood) in Simen River which has totally wiped out 3 villages in course of 3-4 hours displacing 950+ populations from 143 families is due to sudden changes of the course of the river. The root cause of the same has been identified by the communities is “massive sand deposition” in the river-bed and flood plains which is linked with deforestation and boulder extraction (from the bed of the river in upper reaches)which is increasing the flashy character of the river. Majuli, the largest inhabited River Island globally is shrinking (data reveals that the island with land 1250 sq.km. in 1950 is presently less than 500 sq.km.) heavily due to onslaught of flood and erosion aftermath of great Assam flood 1950 and trend is increasing due to tampering with the flow of the Rivers (Brahmaputra and Subansiri) in upstream in terms of deforestation, boulder extraction, unscientific construction works coupled with unplanned protection measures. The above reflections conveniently established the rising trend of hazards in the region mainly in terms of frequency of the hazards (flood and erosion). The communities’ perspective regarding the increasing/decreasing trends of hazard is increasing, on the understanding that frequency of floods and erosion multiplying in last 3-decades. It has been reflected by Mr. Prafulla Hazong (M-60 years), resident of Sagalikatta village, Simenmukh Panchayat, Dhemaji District clearly states that previously we face the flood from River Brahmaputra 2-3 times a year but now we have to face the onslaught of flood for 6-7 round a year because of shifting of course by river Simen and that too in form of flash flood to cope with which is beyond the capacity of the communities because of its uncertainty and high velocity current. Mr. Bhupen Taid (M-39 years) of Amguri Mishing village, Amguri Panchayat, Dhemaji also reflected similarly, in addition he added that previously it is the velocity of the current of the River Brahmaputra or Gai but on dates we have to take into account the momentum factor because of enormous sand and silts the rivers carry. Following flood and erosion the other emerging potential hazard witnessing by the region is thunderstorm with lightening. Ms Junali Hazong(Anganwadi worker) inhabiting in Ajarbari village, Muktiyaar Panchayat shared “we are to some extend capable to cope with flood but the phenomenon “Thunder storm with lightening” which is profoundly increasing over the few years is still beyond our understanding and learning to prepare ourselves to cope with. Ms Mandira Mushahari of Jamuguri village, Ramdhan Dikhari Panchayat, Dhemaji, say(during orientation camp with children groups), “ I am been taught to swim, taught to row boat to cope with flood by the elderly persons of my family, but I am not at all aware about how to prepare and protect myself from thunderstorm with lightening which frightened me most”.
The consequences of hazards that have been shared above are largely affecting the development of the region adversely. The adverse impact of the hazards can be broadly categorized as -loss of livelihoods, loss of staple food, loss of shelter, disruption of service delivery mechanisms which leads to inaccessibility to Income generation activities(IGA), health services, education services; communication bottlenecks, sharp rising in prices f the essential commodities in market etc. These adverse impacts ultimately resulting in- nutrition deficiency mainly within the children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, increase in IM, CM and MM; increased cases of morbidity/mortality out of water borne and vector borne diseases; poor reach out to the education system in turn poor learning, high drop-out, increased in child-labor, early-marriage (mainly of the girl children), trafficking of children and women in the region. All these factors which are continuous and cumulative in nature have brought the development as well as well being agenda of the policy makers and the community to a stalemate over the decades.
How and why vulnerabilities have increased or decreased in your district/locality? What are the prime reasons for increasing vulnerabilities? Note: 1. What are the major vulnerabilities in your district/locality? Physical, social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities with examples? 2. What factors have contributed to the increasing/decreasing of vulnerabilities in your district/locality? E.g., urbanization in Guwahati have led to expansion of human settlements in hilly hazard prone areas increasing their vulnerability to landslides 3. What are the existing policies/programs/actions by different actors (government/non- government) to reduce those vulnerabilities? 4. How effective and ineffective these policies/programs/actions are and why? Please give concrete case example/evidence if any 5. Which are the vulnerabilities in need of immediate resolution (Priorities from above) and why? The conditions are been determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of hazards.
Social vulnerabilities: So far in the concerned of Districts mentioned above viz. Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli where RVC is particularly active, the Vulnerability is increasing. If we take into consideration of the vulnerabilities factors in the Districts (Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli Districts) these are multiple vulnerable Districts/Localities. So far “Social vulnerabilities” of the areas are concerned, it is a situation where the people, organizations/institutions, societies cannot withstand the multiple stresses due to pertinent characteristics inherent in the SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, INSTITUTIONS, and SYSTEMS of cultural values. The Cultural values and practices of the communities sometimes increase the vulnerabilities of an individual, assets or systems because of locational vulnerabilities for example the Mishing communities inhabits near to the riverine areas to take pre-monsoon rain water in the paddy fields(low lying) to transplant AHU paddy (harvested before monsoon rainfalls) as well as fishing (for nutritional intakes and commercial purposes). On the other hand (basically non-tribes) and who don’t go for these varieties and preferred for highland varieties like “Sali” etc. In the whole context, some time due to early rainfall the AHU varieties get damaged and in the same time due to inadequate rainfall the Sali paddy get damaged. There is a large gap within distribution of land pattern within the communities to ensure equality and in turn utilization of land for coping and subsistence mode of survival.
Although, it is not such a pertinent issue in the depicted areas still less vulnerability lands are with the high caste communities with proper Government legal documents where as that is comparatively less with the so called low caste communities SC/ST etc). The best instances for the same is during acquisition of lands for construction of the Bogibeel bridge (connecting north bank and south bank of Assam, the community where the compensation for the highland holders mainly by the high caste holders is near about 80,000.00 INR (legal government document holders) where as for the low-land holders mainly by the ST and SC communities is near about 15,000INR. No interaction between the communities to come up with a common strategy (inter community sharing, learning and adaptation of good practices never been put into system by any community institution or by any other stake-holders.
Untouchably although not a very pertinent issue in this region but political and linguistic manipulation of the same still persists in the localities which sometimes lead to issue of conversion. In Majuli, during the year a renowned religious CSO planned to intervene in Majuli Sub-division for humanitarian aid, but same been rejected by the communities.
During the distribution of relief materials as well as adjusting the highly affected/vulnerable population to the Government relief camps (during 2010 floods in Gai-Nadi) discrepancies reflected in the Sissiborgaon, under Sissiborgaon development block where the so called high-caste dominant with political mileages to accommodate themselves in well-to-do camps as well as avail the major portion of the relief materials (in terms of clothes distributed by a Guwahati based NGO).
Resettlement of the affected communities in new areas is one of the major social vulnerabilities. The conflict between the host-communities as well as the newly-settled communities is s a major cause of vulnerability which persists for a long time due to cultural and political differences. In the year 2000 aftermath of the devastating flood in the Brahmaputra River basin the Joba-nala a minor tributary of River Simen, Simenmukhh Panchayat, Sissiborgaon of Dhemaji District eroded near about 148 HHs which required immediate resettlement. Although Government land was been available where the host community mainly belongs to Mishing community vehemently protest against the same. Ultimately under the auspices of the District administration, student unions, community leaders, RVC and Oxfam through in-depth consultation brought out a amiable situation and communities in distress are resettled.
One unsupported point that comes under social –vulnerability is that being the revenue collection in the south- bank is much higher than the north-bank hence protection of the south-bank is prioritized under political-policy.
IN THE NUT-SHELL THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY IN THE DEPEICTED AREAS IS STILL COMPLEX AS SOCIAL ASSIMILATION AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION IS IN VERY NOVICE STAGE AND THIS DISTEGERATION NEED TO BE OVERCOME BY BRINGING TOGETHER ALL THE VULNERABIITY COMMUNITIES ORGANIZING CONTINUOUS CONSULTATION ON GOOD PRACTICES—mutual LEARNING-ADAPTATION- IMPLEMENTATION ENGAGING ALL VULNERABLE SOCIAL GROUPS BARRING CASTE, RELIGION, RACE, CREED AND MAINLY FROM HARD TO REACH AREAS. By DDMA AND OTHE STAKE-HOLDERS.
Physical vulnerabilities :In the context of the Physical vulnerabilities in case of disaster/s characteristics/circumstances mainly depends on its geographic proximity to the source/s and origin’ Like the area lies near to the fault-line ( mainly in case of Earthquake), “ Breached or dilapidated embankment/dykes ( in case of flood), “No adherence to Flood plain zoning)“ proximity to bank line erosion zone”, “ Areas where shifting of river/s courses are very prominent (like char areas, river islands), unstable hills, High –speed wind corridor (seasonal), Elephant-corridor, release of excess water from Mega –dams and open extractive industries like uranium, coal, petrol and oil etc make community, assets, systems more susceptible to hazards.
In the context of flood, so far in the particularly depicted districts concerned are no-embankment; embankments in dilapidated conditions, embankments as well as breached dykes and no-adherence to flood plain zoning are the main causes of miseries from floods. The process of construction of embankments in Assam as well as in depicted districts commenced from early sixties for a flood-cycle of 25 years i.e. repairing/strengthening of the embankments supposed to be commenced from mid-eighties, which has been totally overlooked and the region witnessed devastation flood from 1984 with worst in 1988, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and yet been following on affecting 40%-60% population every year. The technology and the process of convincing the communities (riverine communities) coupled with population expulsion developed a false sense of security within the communities and they gradually move towards the embankment (for homestead as well as agro-based and allied activities) which in time of courses increases their vulnerabilities and in turn risk/s when breached on the embankments take place and water gush through the villages causing intensive damages.
Similarly, Assam is in prior proximity to the EQ fault which is largely reflected during the great EQ of 1896 and 1950. Moreover Assam as well all the NE states are prone to extreme EQ vulnerability experiencing 70-100 numbers of EQ jerks every year although fatality has not been reported but developing cracks in the buildings are common features.
Similar situation are replicable in case of high-speed wind, whirl-wind, thunder-storms with lightening. Fatality is one of the cases in these three Districts which is randomly increasing. Thunderstorm with lightening is the disastrous event which is very rapidly increasing in all these 3- Distrcts as well as across Assam since last 2-3 years. The records show that during the period 2004-2013 lightening kills more people in India than any other natural calamity.(Source: NCBR). In the month of 6th May, Following the 10th May incident, 6 people were been killed and many injured during the 24 hours in the state, following the incident on 9th and 10th May 2017, 8 people died out of lightening in Assam. Physical vulnerabilities is also much related with physical-health condition of a person in certain age and periods viz. “Children, Pregnant women, Lactating mothers, Divyangas (special able persons) as well as old-age persons, Single-headed HHs, Children headed HHs etc Special attention and care is required for these groups of people. Knowledge, skills, experiences, nervousness and movements are the 4- major pillars for these lots of groups as witnessed across the area. For example during the flood 2008 (due to heavy rainfall of upper reaches of river Ranganadi as well as release of excessive water from the Ranganadi Dam created havoc in the whole of Lakhimpur District including Lakhimpur Town, in the instance a 75+ aged old person died due to drowning only 1feet of water which is mainly because of lack of knowledge, experiences and skills A very tragic incident occurred on 28the September 2018 when two- children (one was reading in class 5 and other on class 3). They tried to cross the river Tongani native to their village, but the under current as well as river bed erosion was so strong at that point of time that they could not manage with the situation and felt down, and ultimately carried out by the river.
Urbanization is also a newly cropping out factor which is gradually increasing in 4-places, residential as well as marketing points of Dhemaji District mainly “Silapathar”/ Dhemaji District Head quarter, Jonai Town as well as Likabali (border between Arunachal and Assam ). It is worthy to mention that during the last year the “Silapathar Naba Prathamik Vidalaya”, with enrolment of near-about172 nos students which is a Government school remained inundated for nearly 3and ½ months and in the current year till date for a period of 2 month affecting the developing rights of such a large numbers of children.
Mainly in the rural and semi-urban areas, Similar situation persists across the 3-Districts so far Educational institutions,AWC, Sub-Centres, PDS shops, Office of the PRIs are concerned.
In a nut-shell, apart from historical evidences of flood, erosion-Assam has already lost near about 4500 sq. Km. of land-mass as per official figure and Specially Majuli which was been 1250 sq. Km in 1950 is presently near about 475 sq. Km. ( not considered as disaster by GoI. The root causes behind are acute changes of course of rivers (mainly by the flashy hilly rivers which is due to deforestation and boulder- extraction in the upstream in the part of Arunachal Pradesh as well as constriction of river channels due to unplanned development works etc) ; Incident of cloud bursting, locust menace (mainly grass-hoppers), periodic drought like-situation ( during the Rabi crop season largely felt in the year 2005 and 2006)). And to conclude these menace are increasing particularly in the mentioned Districts and as a whole across the state Assam.
After adoption of the Hyogo frame work of Action and Millennium Development Goals (To which GoI has also been ratified), numerous Acts have come in between like NDMA-2005, NREGA-2005, NRHM-2005, SSA followed by RTE Act-2009 and presently NSSP-2016 (After ratifying SFA and SDG), stare wise relief manual etc Although this acts and policies bear the potentials to address the issues but because of inadequate training, lack of man-power, Non-integration approach, no system for single-window disbursement have been acting as a hindrance to address the issues adequately. For instances person/s died during disasters or being his or her houses has been washed out the evaluation is carried out by the Office of the Circle Officer/s where as rest of the damages as mentioned in the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is undertaken by the concerned departments. The whole mechanism delay the disburse mechanism and in the course of time new disaster strikes. F instances, the houses damaged during flood in Dhakuakhana (Lakhimpur District) in 2008 received compensation under NDRF in the year 2010.
Development of time frame (as under MGNREGA)which need to be made mandatory and strictly f0llow(by a high powered monitoring and evaluation committee), release of fund for the same from National Disaster Response Fund as well as State disaster response fund should be mandated. In case of Disaster situation nos of days need to be stipulated to get the relief and rehabilitation measures. Under NDMA/SDMA/DDMA this can be done with commitment. Overlooking of the Integration of DRR in Development is the main policy lacunae which although cited and ratified by most of the countries but implementation of the same are in the poorest state. NDMA under which NDMA, SDMA, DDMA are in place, fund is allocated under the finance policies, to National Disaster Response Fund /State Disaster Response fund are been determined “year wise estimation” for a period of 5-years still stagnancy in response, because of lack of visionary leadership and committed Officials, lack of man-power and CSOs diluting the planned strategies . Although in papers (policies etc) but integration of DRR into Development planning could be a paradigm shift which would contribute towards lessen the damage and boost the HDI of the nation India.
Strengthening, repairing, building of embankments and other flood and erosion resistance measures are often taken over during and pre-monsoon period as well as which is self-explanatory for the increasing vulnerabilities in the regions. Let us take the initiative of “Porcupine instalment measures” to protect erosion in Majuli and have a time based evaluation (year wise since Brahmaputra Board have been assigned with the responsibilities) would be a lesson learnt workshop for across the nation in favor of the people in distress.
Climate change is the other looming factors so far vulnerabilities of the communities is concerned and is in increasing trend. Local rain-fall due to cloud bursting, periodical-dry period (high temperature), change in rain-fall pattern, and wind with high velocity followed by thunder-storm-lightening is in increasing trends.
These schemes, so far adopted with a true change of bringing a change but due to top-down- approach, lack of people’s participation as well as CSOs during planning, implementation monitoring, evaluation and reframing are the major concerns of ineffectiveness. For example, the Rekha Chapori L.P. School which has been washed out during the flood 2013 is yet to be rebuilt as per act followed by rules under RTE Act-2009 i.e. much talked about “All weather School-buildings and roads are mandatory under the Act. Similarly, the 2-nos of Government schools which have been washed out over night due to flood and erosion are yet to be rebuilt as per provision under RTE-Act 2005. In spite of intervention of supreme court although in the District of Majuli is gaining momentum to some extend yet other Districts of Assam are still lagging behind to a great extend. The reason behind is non-activation of the School Safety Advisory Committee (SSAC) which are in place on date in every district of Assam. The people displaced by flood and erosion in Simenmukh Panchayat as well as Muktiyar Panchayat, Sissiborgaon Block as well as environmentally displaced persons of Upper and Lower Development Blocks of Majuli are yet to be resettled with proper process. The irony of the fate is that although we have had a NRRP-2006 which mainly speaks about Project Affected Families ignoring Conflict and environmentally induced displaced victims. The biggest set-back is non-integration mechanism of the concerned departments and other stake-holders as well as non-adequate staffs and political manipulation, all these lead to non- integration of DRR in Development policies.
Economical vulnerabilities : Loss of livelihood mainly Agriculture and allied activities, Animal-husbandry, Traditional crafting due to flood, erosion and sand-deposition; periodical drought like situation, cloud bursting as well as locust menace are the main factors contributing towards increasing economical vulnerabilities of the population inhabiting in the depicted 3-Districts. To add on, fluctuation of market values and transportation added to the miseries a lot. Environmental vulnerabilities: Environmental vulnerabilities are the root-cause of all the other 3vulnerabilities mainly. Degradation of agriculture land, loss of Livestock as well as other measures like damage to Bamboos and Thatches, tree-coverage are mainly leading to increase dependence on chemical manure, pesticides etc are greatly affecting the health, education and income generation activities of the population of these areas. Assam ranks 1st in case of MMR and 2nd in case of IMR across the nation which reflects the environmental vulnerabilities of the nation. The Wet-land (beels) which used to maintains ecological balances providing nutritious as well as staple food to the communities rapidly depleting since late eighties due to human intervention as well as sand deposition out of massive siltation. The Kani-beel of Dhemaji District as well as: Bordoibam-beel bordering Dhemaji and Lakhimpur District are 2-major evidences of the same. The doom days are knocking the door if the “Conservation of the wet-lands”, implementation of “National Bamboo Mission”, “Promotion of solar energies” “Promotion of Smoke-less Chullah” etc are not taken in mission mode as adopted by GoI and GoA way back. To conclude, where are the PME mechanisms and the people’s participation? Please refer to Mr Jadab Payeng of Majuli who with his traditional knowledge and skills rejuvenated a large portion of dilapidated forest mass in Majuli. The main vulnerability in Bordoibam area is a section of the community prefers to restore the beels as it has been to restore as it is used for accessing nutriuos food/staple-foods where as a section of the communities supports Government decision to convert it into : Bird-sanctuary” for promoting tourist –attraction as well as commercial avenues.
The Vulnerability Priorities in the depicted Districts:
01. Flood and erosion. 02. Earthquake. 03. Dumping of debris into the rivers leading to rise of the river-beds during Deforestation”, Boulder extraction”, “Jhum cultivation”. 04. Rapid change of the river courses. 05. Construction of mega- hydro electric power projects in upstream of Assam. (Release of waters from the up-stream mega-hydro electric Projects mainly during cloud-bursting and excessive rail- falls). 06. No initiation to ensure services and restore the Service delivery mechanisms in the hard to reach areas like Char, Chaporis etc. Boats, Residential facilities, education-boats, supply of nutriuos food, promoting Information technology, promotion some of the innovation strongly could be planned and adopted mainly to prepare and combat with massive lightening.( A new- phenomenon). 07. Intra and Inter-community conflict and persuasion for self-determination, border-dispute and avail political mileages are major vulnerabilities emerging in the regions. To conclude movement for inclusion under 6th schedule, demand for Autonomous councils, trans-border immigration as well as demand for tribal status are some of the major issues disintegrating the communities in the line of Caste, Language, creed, race etc and making the region unstable to work through collective participation and decision making so far the major Risk-reduction and development paradigm are been concerned.
Changing risk landscape in the state/your district/locality? Note: Here the focus should be on exploring the broader linkages of impact of certain Disasters with changing/evolving realities in the state. We may wish to reflect on certain burning issues include migration/reverse migration, climate/disaster induced conflicts/social unrests/political crisis, changing living patterns and local adaptations/mal-adaptations, local economy and livelihood sectors etc. The following sub-questions shall be addressed under this broad question? What are the various existing and emerging risks with the changing hazard-vulnerability scenario? mediate visible risks e.g., apart from direct impacts like death or injury, indirect long term impact like forced migration, conflict over natural resources etc can be explained What are the various dynamic factors shaping the risk landscape and how far policy frameworks are addressing those dynamic factors? E.g., absence of a settlement policy for certain hazardous areas (land use management, flood plain zoning) has contributed to rapid expansion of human settlements in such areas thereby increasing the exposure What relations do you visualize between the risks and development deficiencies/deprivations? For example erosion and loss of production/livelihood, changing of rainfall pattern/temperature and deteriorating tea industry Is there any relation between ethnic/communal/political conflicts and the changing risks? If yes how give examples from your locality
So far understanding of RVC is concerned “disaster is potential risk of life, injury, destroyed and damaged assets which could emerged to a system, society, communities in a specific period of time, determined probably as a function of hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacities. To understand, in details, definition of disaster risks reflects the concept of hazardous events and disasters as the outcome of continuously present conditions of risks. The disaster risk comprises different types of potential losses which are often difficult to quantify; but in the same time with the knowledge of prevailing hazards and patterns of population and socio-economic development disaster risks can be assessed and mapped, in broad terms at least.
So far in the context of changing hazard-vulnerability scenario in the 3-Districts the existing and emerging risks are also largely varying and becoming unpredictable. Starting with the flood situation in these 3-districts earlier, it is the river Brahmaputra and largest tributary to Brahmaputra River Subansiri which caused the maximum damaged and largely predictable even by the traditional EW system being it is related with excessive rainfall in the upper reaches, increase water level as well as colour of the river water also make the communities aware of the situation and adapt preparedness measures to reduce risks. Collection of dry-food, fire-wood, deputation of boats in vulnerable areas, preparing with banana-rafts, identification of safe-places for shelter mainly in the non-vulnerable locations of the embankments and other high-lands were in practices contributing towards less loss of life and other economical and non-economical assets.. Since, the great earthquake of 1950 of magnitude of 8.6 caused widespread devastation across the frontal regions of the NE Himalayas. According to the experts on seismological events this earthquake changed the topographical features in the eastern syntaxes and caused havoc in the frontal region of NE Himalayas, making drastic impact on human civilization which still persists. The more than 20 years experiences of working in the flood plains of north bank of Upper Brahmaputra River basin which involves extensive communication with communities as well as interaction with experts on River issues have led RVC to resolved that during and post phenomenon (aftershocks) of the earthquake which changed the geomorphologic character of the region, led to extensive siltation on the river-bed i.e. rise of the river bed, expansion of the breadth of the river i.e. massive river bank line erosion, frequent changes of river courses, alienation from the traditional livelihood system which involved mainly the traditional people ,who used to live in close proximity with forest ecology get themselves engaged in destruction of forest areas; blocking of tributaries of Brahmaputra River and its tributaries due to massive land- slides, afterward caused massive flooding are the thrust points of evolvement of floods and erosion in the region which is still going on with unabated risks.
The tributaries to Brahmaputra are by nature flashy in character which has increased manifold in last 10-years due to deforestation, boulder extraction and dumping of garbage into the river (the dumping of garbage into the River Subansiri, during construction of the LSHEP which is still in progress is one of the incidents breaking all the norms/rules of GoI). The whole phenomenon have increased the risks of the life of the people inhabiting in these river basins viz. River Simen, River Demow, River Jalakiashuti, River Gai, River, Jiadhal, River Kumotia, all in District Dhemaji, River Ranganadi, River Dikrong in District Lakhimpur District as well as River Kherkotia in Majuli District due to massive and frequent flash flood and erosion lead to loss of life and livelihood, Service delivery mechanism (Health centres, Schools, AWC, lack of accessing to market leading to price-hike etc.) which apart from other factors right to survival, right to development, right to protection as well as right to participation of the children largely get affected. And in this system the EW system fails in total.
In total 168 mega dams are been in planned to construct in the upper basin of River Brahmaputra. It is easily understood that release of water during the peak-hour production is inevitable and obviously this water will flow to bay-of Bengal across the river Brahmaputra through the Assam part of Brahmaputra and the havoc it will cause is easily understandable. The flood 2008 in Lakhimpur as well as in 2018 is due to release of water from the 408 MW Ranganadi HEP. Moreover during release of water from the Ranganadi HEP a portion is diverted to the River Dikrong through few tunnels, which makes the people inhabiting in the Dikrong River Basin faces the impact of water (Rise in the night and fall in the day) every day the consequences facing by the communities is self-explanatory. During informal chatting with the DPO, DDMA, Lakhimpur although been shared by the project proponent NEEPCO but reaching out to the vulnerable people is almost inevitable within the limited technology and time period.
Unscientific models of development and unscientific ways of managing the rivers are the prominent attributable factors in Assam and bordering Arunachal Pradesh. For the multiple constructions undertaken recently contributing to the change in the nature of the rivers viz. Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, Bogibeel Bridge, the transnational highways in Arunachal Pradesh, proposed Dibang Dam and many to add the list. In case of the Bogibeel bridge near about 9.5 CM of stones from the north bank tributaries been extracted, which increased the flashy character of the rivers and in turn increased flash flood? It is estimated that the boulders or stones contain near about 4-times of silt-sand beneath it. When these boulders are extracted these silts/sands flow with rising rivers and get deposited in the flood plains./Paddy field This is what is happening in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli dilapidating the traditional livelihood system. Two major concerns one is increasing “Cloud Bursting” (high-intensity rain-fall for a short period) in eastern Himalayas region as well as Climate change(Mr. Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth science, quoted that –“If we analyse the overall seasonal rainfall viz. June to September, in the last 50 years there is not much change. Year to-year there may be change but, but over the last 50-years monsoon rainfall has been stable. This increase in intensity of rainfall is in even on daily or hourly basis and is related to global warming). conditions need to well researched with major focus on “Agriculture and allied activities”, “Fish”, Health of the living beings” ( in last 1 month near-about 7-youth died out-of Pressure attack in Silapathar area” and out-break of Encephalitis in Dhemaji & Lakhimpur has been confirmed by concerned hospitals which are 7 and 10 nos in Dhemaji and Lakhimpur respectively) as well as “ Work load and economical” situation of the women folk. Intra-and Interstate migration, child labor, early marriage, trafficking of Girl child are some of the major risks off-shooting from the hazard induced risks. Inter-state conflict (between the migrates as well as the host community, Case of crime like robbery, increase in cases of HIV AIDS as well as Drug-abuses, all somehow related to hazard compounded with Social, Physical, Economical as well as Environmental vulnerability leading to “Non-enrolment” or “School dropout” is one of the rapidly emerging risks contributing to the other factors and have turned into a vicious cycle. Since the 1st 5 year plan since 1951 there is alternative strategically adopted changes regarding adopting “Dams” or “Construction of Embankments” to tap flood menace but after 1954 great floods in Assam UP, Bihar and WB the shift is towards construction of embankment but the whole system again failed in 1957 and ultimately in 1976 the GoI declared that we can’t prevent flood but we need to built strategies to cope with flood and a concept has been developed “ Flood Plain Zoning” which none of the NE states come-up-with, accept Manipur but not been adopted. A few of the areas (hard-to reach areas- “Kobu-Chapori and Mechaki Chapori in Dhemaji, Ghunashuti in Lakhimpur as well as Bhekeli Chapori in Majuli areas with are few of the most vulnerable areas but being hard to reach conditions all the schemes under “ Social safety nets” of GOI/GoA largely collapse. Inter National sharing of ware Data between India and China is in place. China is providing information to India under the existing bilateral understanding and they are sharing information on daily basis (to 3-stations at Tsangpo) and but the main urgency, that is overlooked in the treaty is to ask the Government of China for topographical condition of the whole basin, where there are massive areas for vulnerable landslides dams. All though decrease of land due to erosion and flood as well as population expulsion, flow of population from the vulnerable areas/cross-border infiltration where been undertaken but increasing of vulnerabilities and risks in the same time have gone up consistently due to flood and other disasters;. In the whole phenomenon “Land-holding documents”, accessibility to other basic government documents and amenities, as well as access to decent livelihood avenues, education and health care etc becomes all most inaccessible. The No.2 RVC village is one of such incident where people have to struggle nearly for 25 years for their land documents, PDS cards etc. This population are from “Bahir Jonai” and “Kobo Chapori” areas under Murkongselek Development Bock of Dhemaji District. Being tribal population living mainly on Agriculture and allied activities is a major distress for them and in the whole phenomenon out of 108 settled families 28 families migrated to new District/s i.e. multiple displacement induced distress. Although the population density of Assam is 497 (according to 2011 census) the forest coverage of Assam is 26832S kms. i.e. 34.21 % of the total land mass. It is irony to the displaced population of Assam that the displaced population cannot settle them under the Forest land, which is non-judicial and often forcibly evacuated by the Assam Government, as done in 2002 vide a Central Government order. The flood vulnerable areas as assessed by Rastriya Barh Ayog (RBA) out of the total land masses of 78.5253 sq. Km. 3105 sq.km are vulnerable to flood and 34.21 sq.k.m are forest land i..e not safe to inhabited or prone to been evacuated. ), as per government’s record 4750 sq.km land masses of Assam has already been eroded since 2050 i.e. out of total land masses of Assam -4750.0 sq. km is been available for settlement; that will encourage purchasing power and increase in impact of “Climate Change” 2-nos of the immediate risks the state is going to witness in coming days. The Rekha Chapori L.P. School Muktiyaar Panchayat, Sissiborgaon L.P. School eroded by by Brahmaputra or its tributaries since 1950 Sissiborgaon washed out in 2013 and yet to be reconstructed, No.2 Sengajan Borgaon and Sengajan Baligaon L.P. school under Simenmukh G.P, Sissiborgaon Development Block area been washed out in 2016 and are to be reconstructed; where as “Built back Better” although globally accepted is yet to be accepted by the stake-holders in the true sense, similarly in the sense of flood plain zoning, Building code , finance estimation, finance allocation etc similar cases prevails in Bonoria Chapori areas of Majuli District where apart from Flood and-erosion Human-elephant conflict is also a major risks. Like the Income generation activities (IAGs), education Health system as well as inflation in Market products are also in same risks due to flood and erosion and in other cases of disasters. Risk informed Government programs: Note How and how far risks are seen while planning development programs at grass-root level What are the reasons for risks being considered or ignored in development planning? Do you have any case example to establish the relation? Please explain from a rights and equity based perspective
The Government of India after ratification to the MDG as well as the HFA several initiative NDMA-Act 2005 (with major focus on research and training engaging NIDM, Rescue engaging NDRF/SDRF and Compensation)( Assistance) to the affected population has been has been brought within the periphery of the act. So far NDRF/SDRF is concerned in the Districts mentioned, the NDRF 12th battalion, Doimukh, Arunachall Pradesh has delivered best adopting 3-prong strategies viz. ToT (including selected community leaders, Volunteers of RVC and other CSOs as well as training of Children in schools. In total near about 100+ training camps has been organized with facilitation from RVC in Jonai and Sissiborgaon of Dhemaji District as well as in Ujoni Block of Majuli District. In all most all the events the District administration mainly the DPO of DDM, Dhemaji and Majuli as well as Field Officers on DRR of the Office of the Office of the CO represented the events. On date near about trained Volunteers to support the NDRF/SDRF which includes Village communities, School children as well as representative of CSOs are in position to lead the responsibilities in near about 120 villages of Dhemaji and Majuli Districts and it is worthy to mention that 1000s of persons are fairly acquainted to safe their own lives. So far, NIDM is concerned high quality of training is been provided mainly to the National, State a District level high-officials but in the ground situation these trainings are not been transferred to the 2nd line responsible persons as well as to the communities (which are considered as the 1st responder when disaster strikes). This is the greatest lacunae of establishing under the Act. The question arises mainly in the EW Avenue. What relation and coordination mechanism actually exist between NIDM and IMD so far training and transfer of knowledge and skills and cooperative measures exists. Apart from following developing of low-pressure in bay of Bengal and other oceans, start-up of monsoon rainfalls and the tentative route there are factors like cloud- bursting, moderate-to heavy rainfall in a region which ultimate lead to release of water from the reservoirs from the HEP (dams). Ernest request to adopt Down-to-top approach (learn from the community, have any people till died in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli District because of food crisis, exactly no, they have their own coping mechanism developed through years of research and transferred to generation to generation). Yes come down to Assam along with Ministry of health to take stock of MMR (ranked as 1st in India) and IMR (ranked as 2nd in India) need to be reached, share and educate to the vulnerable groups imparting knowledge, skills and accessibility. Lastly, have an in depth participatory MEA on relation between increase menace between locust menace (in Assam) and Rodent menace (In Mizoram). To conclude with in Top-to- Down approach, no-opportunity for exchange of idea persists for intra community, Inter district and interstate learning opportunities to reduce disaster risk. Nos of persons from Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Majuli trained (both Govt officials as well as community participant/s) are negligible and same is across Assam The request is for Lab-to-land strategy, learn from community fellow like Jadab Payeng, Majuli and disseminate the same in local conextt across Assam is a need of the hour. The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response fund (NDRF) are well thought to supplement the Government’s other safety net approaches. But apart from cases of death and damage to houses(By Department of Disaster management DM) rest are assessed by the concerned departments like agriculture, education, health and nos to add to the lists, but in no cases integration approach as well as strong MEA and People’s participation to avoid discrepancies and ensure transparency and accountability are been adhered to. The MGNREGA, SBM, NHM, SSA, PHED Department of Fishery, DRDA, NRLM ,Office of the SWO can be brought into a common platform and single window delivery mechanism under the chairmanship of CEO, DDMA can be undertaken To conclude with these policy lacunae where Gaon-sabhas, Autonomous councils are been avoided and inclusion o risk-factors in grass-root level are still a distant vision where as farsightedness of developing visions, missions and targeted goals are still a distant dream. Policy lacunae, non-participatory approaches (exclusion of the chronic victims, PRI representatives, Divyangas, women folks, children etc in the planning). Dissemination of sector wise accountable persons, overall chairmanship with proper knowledge etc are need of the hour. For example Early variety seeds, short term seeds for harvesting, the houses provided under PAY (previously IAY) are been designed an estimated centrally where as in the flood plains of Brahmaputra basin these can in raised stilts (AS ADOPTED BY THE MISHING and DEORI COMMUNITY of Assam) Similar approaches can be planned and execute in case of Education institutes, AWC, Health centres Road safety including boats (with Life-jacket and lifebuoy). These will not only lessen down miseries but will also contribute towards security, safety and sustainability. One of the major factors is non-inclusion of effective Disaster resilient in curriculum with proper lesson-plans including safety-audit and physical demonstration is a major policy lacnae. Children are the best, fast and rapid implementers. There are numerous incidents, during the Gaon Sabhas, Gaon Panchayat level, Anchalik Panchayat level followed at Zilla Panchayat level, people as well as elected representatives as well as official members opted for the traditional design under the schemes but generally, which are washed out in the next-year monsoon, similarly the drinking water sources and Latrines provided under SBM, Autonomous councils etc are not at all resilient to disaster and get inundated or washed out during the flood. The reason behind is non-cooperation between Disaster management and revenue department as well as Development departments like Office of the Block Officers, DRDA etc. And in the whole context the DDMA and the ASDMA can play a role through out-sourcing resource agencies. Possibility of risk informed programming be installed/mainstreamed within government/non- government set up Note:: What are the challenges in risk informing development programs? What are the available windows of opportunities considering the international commitments like SFDRR, SDGs, Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda What are the innovative strategies to risk inform development programs? Any interventions that your organization has taken to risk inform any development program may be taken as a case example.
Although ratified within a course of time after a defined course of time the greatest challenge that faced in risk informing Development is understanding the issue, idea behind it, lack of organizing workshop/training and setting up local indicators MEA by the state incorporating vulnerable communities/leaders/PRIs etc. The best available window/s is to ensure a “Single window delivery mechanism/s” prioritizing the goals with locally feasible time-based set indicators which need to be Monitored, Evaluate and assessed the progress in a time based manner by a high level MEA committee. RVC has undertaken few such initiatives. Instead of going into the details here we would like to take the privilege to share the photo on accessing WASH facilities BY COMMUNITY OF 4-VILLAGES during flood 1016-2017 in Simenmukh Panchayat of Dhemaji District of Assam OVERALL LEARNING: NO TO THE CONVENTIONAL APPROACH
02. Suraksha-“A mission towards Promoting Child Inclusive community based disaster risk management and social protection in upper Brahmaputra River Basin” in collaboration with DDMA and DSSAC of Dhemaji and Majuli
Contextualization: Because of its strategic location, geological and gemorphological character of the North bank of the Upper Assam which includes Dhemaji and Majuli District of Assam also, the core working areas of RVC is highly prone to annual flood. The traditional coping mechanisms of the indigenous communities, inhabiting the region was been adequate in itself to deal with the flood phenomenon till early eighties, but since mid eighties these coping mechanisms gradually started failing to protect the vulnerable communities to adapt with flood, because of the drastic changes in the nature of the flood. Erratic rainfall pattern, massive bank line erosion, frequent changes of river courses, excessive sedimentation in the flood plains due to unplanned human actions has intensified the impact of flood in both the Districts as well as across the state Assam. It has been observed, since the year 1994, that nearly about 50%-60% population of both the Districts critically facing the onslaught of flood each year. Breaking down of the agro-based rural economy, washed out of the critical infrastructures viz. Roads, bridges, AWC, Schools, health centres, water sources, sanitation facilities have pauperized even the once affluent families. Displacement, unsafe migration, food and nutrition insecurity, health problems, lack of quality education, child labour, early marriage, trafficking of children and women have risen drastically across the years and still rising . In this backdrop, being a field based organization and with field based experiences, RVC since 1998 (after 5 years of its inception) have directed it’s works towards lessening the miseries of the flood affected community through emergency responses and preparedness measures with support from UNICEF, UNDP and numbers of other international and national agencies. These works has been carried out intensively keeping Government, PRIs, CSOs and other stakeholders in loop. All though some of these works have yielding result as “models” but there was always a feeling that comprehensiveness in terms of planning, replication and adoption in Government policies are largely missing. The results of the works are been largely limited only to the intervened villages, but critical vulnerability is still looming over a huge chunk of populations inhabiting in both the Districts as well as across Assam. There has always been an intention with RVC to impart more collectiveness and intensiveness in its works and in turn to promote its works related to DM to address vulnerability of more people in stake. It is also been the understanding of RVC that the intention of RVC will require tangible results at community level and in turn inclusion of its work in Government policies/process through multi stakeholder’s participation.
Inception of project Suraksha: It was the year 2016; RVC has been endowed with an opportunity to work towards “Promoting child inclusive community based disaster management” in 2-district of Assam viz Dhemaji and Majuli with support from UNICEF. The intervention of the year-1 was on 30 villages (20 villages of Dhemaji District and 10 villages) of Majuli District. Promotion of village level institutions (VDMC, TFs etc) and capacity building of the institutions, engaging NDRF, Fire and emergency services, Civil defence is one of the core components of the year-1 of the project. In the process near about 3000(1500 men and 1500 women) across the30 villages are been trained on rescue, first aid, camp management, WASH etc. Training of members of VLDMC on “Participatory risk analysis and development of village disaster risk management action plans” focussing on contingency and evacuation plans involving DDMAs, were been also part of the capacity development initiatives of the project in the year-1.
The another core component of the year one is developing 6-nos model Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) in 6-nos risk-prone villages within the 30-nos of project villages The basic objective of the CFS was to enhance safeguarding of rights of the children (2000) and adolescents (2000). This CFS, meant for ensuring rights of the children to survival, development, protection and participation mainly in the time of flood when the critical service delivery system (ICDS, Schools etc) get disrupted. Apart from the communities, the project proponents worked with the front line workers (Anganwadi supervisor, AWW, ASHA supervisor, ASHA workers, Teachers) to ensure that basic services related to rights of the children are ensured in the CFS when the existing structures like AWC, sub-centres ,schools get affected during flood. DDMAs of both the Districts were part of the project. Training of the PRI members and the officials on 14th finance commission funds, GPDP incorporating the actions emerging from village risk management action plans, contingency and evacuation plans is the other core components of the project in the year-1.
Year-2 (2017): In the year-2, the project move behind the “Village unit” and taken up the 6 Panchayats (3 in Dhemaji district and 3 in Majuli District) as unit. Promotion of Panchayat level Disaster Management Committees and Task forces and capacity building of these Panchayat level institutions were been one of the major components. In the process, 6-nos of Panchayat level DMC and 30 nos Panchayat level TFs are been promoted and capacitated. Apart from these, near about 3300 children of 30 schools (20 nos in Dhemaji and 10 nos in Majuli) have been trained on emergency rescue, first aid, dos and dont’s during flood and earthquakes.
In the year-2, one of the major components of the project “Suraksha” is to revitalize and strengthening the “Dhemaji District IAG” and formation and strengthening of “Majuli District IAG”. The outcomes of the initiatives has been largely felt during the active engagement of both the agencies during flood- 2019 in both the Districts, during “Joint Need Rapid Assessment” as well extending support to Government and Non-Government agencies during response (rescue and relief).
The other core component of the year-2 is conducting child centred participatory vulnerability, risk and capacity analysis (PVRCA) in each of the 6-Panchayats. The training of PRIs on GPDP and 14th Finance commission fund in the year-1 followed by child centred PVRCA exercises in the year year-2 ultimately resulted in construction of 2-nos of CFS in 2-nos of villages (Bodolpur Bodo and Pakariguri) in Ramdhan Dikhari Panchayat, Jonai Block, Dhemaji District from 14th Finance fund.
03. Building climate resilient community-With special focus on Livelihood
Project title: Building climate resilient community –An approach towards promoting climate adaptive livelihood practices in flood plains of Dhemaji District.
A. Project background: RVC with support from AAA and in partnership with farming communities inhabiting the flood plains of Dhemaji District is piloting an initiative to promote “Locally Conceptualize Integrated Farming System (LCIFS), restructuring of the cropping pattern in the context of climate variation as well as promote nutritional-cum- medicinal garden at household level. The major focus areas of the pilot is to promote and conserve local variety seeds, fishes etc from the aspect of food, nutrition and livelihood security. The project is been technically supporting by Krishi Vigyaan Kendra (KVK)-Dhemaji (a wing of Jorhat Agriculture University), Department of Agriculture- Dhemaji, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Dhemaji as well as Department of Fishery, Dhemaji. B. Key activities:
B.1. 9-days (3-phase training) on Promoting “Locally Conceptualize Integrated Farming System (LCIFS)” engaging 30 selected women farmers of 2-villages and part support for promoting LCIFS on pilot basis for the trained farmers.
Changing climatic situations are affecting livelihoods of people-especially the most vulnerable/deprived communities. The changes like floods and droughts are affecting agriculture and agriculture related livelihoods-directly or indirectly. People normally cope with such climatic variations. The adaptive capacities enable people to address the adverse situations arising due to floods, droughts and climatic variability.
The local knowledge, wisdom and skills of people help them to a large extent, in developing such adaptive capacities. The traditional knowledge, skills and local resources available with the local communities which are been evolved over a period of time in conformity with the local agro-climatic conditions are the key strengths enabling the communities to adapt and in turn survive in these adverse situation.
One of the established traditional strategies adopting by a section of the communities for last few decades to adapt to adverse “agro based” condition is “Integrating Farming System (IFS)”. The main components of the IFS are “Agriculture”, “Horticulture”, “Animal Husbandry” and “Fish rearing”.
Although “Integrated Farming System” (IFS) is adopting by a section of the agricultural community is been contributing in large towards ensuring “Food and Nutrition security” of the practicing community as well as to some extend income generation, but due to systematic introduction of hybrid seeds/ varieties through the Government schemes as well as by the market forces the input cost has raised considerably, which gradually alienating the practicing communities from continuing the practice. Moreover, alienation of the practicing communities from the practices considerably affected the food and nutrition security of the community as well as “Replication and scaling up of the practices (IFS)” by the community has abruptly come down. To address the situation the project focused on promoting “Locally Conceptualized Integrated Farming System” (LCIFS) in 2-nos of project villages namely No.1 Arne and No. 2 Kakabari (Dharmapur) under Muktiyaar Panchayat.
C.The process for promoting locally Conceptualized Integrated Farming System (LCIFS): The project, in conformity with its objective to promote LCIFS, in the first year, mainly emphasized on promoting understanding of the farming communities on Food, nutrition and economical security of LCIFS; knowledge and skill development of the farming communities on LCIFS and extending part-support (Fencing materials/Improved variety local seeds of Rice, horticultural produces, local variety seeds/livestock/compost etc) to the trained farmers for practicing locally feasible IFS on pilot basis KVK-Dhemaji, Department of Agriculture-Dhemaji, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Dhemaji as well as Department of Fishery, Dhemaji rendered services as resource agencies in all the phases of the training.
As part of the planning process in the 1st phase of the training on “Locally Conceptualized Integrating Farming System” the involved resource persons as well as volunteers of RVC facilitated the sessions in such a way so that the existing “packages and practices” regarding IFS in the community are been well understood so that inputs to address the gaps cane be provided. Moreover, emphasized was been put to work out locally acceptable “LCIFS” model through participatory process where the farming community model will be in the centre stage. The budget was also been shared with the participant farming communities so that the ideal model along with the components as well as quantity can be worked out.
Completion of the training followed by providing part-support in terms of kinds to the communities so that they can initiate the process of promoting “Locally Conceptualize Integrated farming system” (LCIFS) in their respective villages. The 2nd and 3rd phases of the training have been organized at the respective fields so that in-situ inputs can be provided by the resource agencies.
PHOTO PROFILE OF INTEGRATED FARMING
PHOTO: Mallah Paddy provided to the farming community of No.2 Kakabari Village (Dharmapur)
PHOTO: Local variety Fish component provided to the fishing community of No.1 Arne and No.2 Kakabari Village (Dharmapur)
PHOTO: Local variety duckling provided to the farming community of No.2 Kakabari Village (Dharmapur)
PHOTO: Sapling of Assam Lemon provided to the farming community of No.1 Arne Village
B.2- 2-days training on Restructuring of cropping patterns to 30 numbers of farmers of 3- villages and part support:
Background: The land (agriculture) use pattern across Assam including Dhemaji District is largely mono-cropping. Apart from many other factors (traditional and technical) one of the major reasons for the same is lack of proper irrigation facilities. As per available data in last 60 years more than Rs 1 lakh crore of Central funds has been invested in Assam for promotion of irrigation but as of today not even 2 per cent of the State’s agricultural land has been brought under irrigation. In this situation the agriculture sector across Assam more and less been remaining in total rain fed and the farming communities with their Climate crisis: Desertification along the bank of traditional knowledge, wisdom and skills somehow managing the HH Simen River economy till end of the last century although alienation of farming community from the agriculture sector was been in emerging trend . But since the advent of the 21st century, deepening climate crisis has been further alienating the farming communities from the agriculture and allied sectors resulting in food and nutrition insecurity, depletion in income as well as unsafe migration. Lacunae in the Government policy to address climate crisis as well as to promote alternative livelihood avenues is also further deteriorating the situation. In this whole situation during conceive of the project introduction of “Restructuring of cropping pattern” has been introduced. Project proponents: Under the present project, “Restructuring of cropping pattern” initiatives aim at to Increase of Cropping Intensity by introduction of Cropping System suitable to the season and locality. The cropping system may be of double cropping, multiple cropping, mix cropping etc as well as bring about seasonal adjustment of cropping pattern depending on the changing climate situation. Training of farming communities: As part of the process of promoting “Restructuring of cropping pattern” 3-nos of project villages has been selected after thorough discussion with the resource department/institutions, PRI representatives as well as farming communities. As part of the process 30 farmers (10 from each of the 3 villages) been selected through community dialogue for training following by part support for promoting “Restructuring of cropping pattern”. As per plan a 2-days training of 30 farmers had been organized on 20th and 21st October 2014 at the Audio-Visual hall at RVC premises.
The training, which was been facilitated by Mr. Swapan Kr. Sarma, Assistant Program Officer (Agriculture), KVK (Dhemaji). Initiating the session Mr. Sarma made a sharing on the relation between sustainable agriculture and chemical farming. Depicting evidences from across the country Mr. Sarma justified how chemical farming is in total contrast to sustainable farming and how practicing chemical farming has been alienating thousands of farmers from the agro-based economy due to depletion of soil-condition. Following the same Mr. Sarma focused on the irrigation scenario across the state Assam. He emphasized that the Government is not only totally failing to provide highly structural irrigation facilities to the farmers but is also totally ignoring to revive and replicate the traditional irrigation methods which are not only cost-effective but also easily manageable. In the following session, Mr. Sarma made a detail presentation on the emerging climate crisis across the region and how it is impacting the agriculture production, food and nutrition security as well as the rural economy. Following the explanation on the emerging crises and constraints in the successive session Mr. Sarma put forwarded his view how to adapt to this situation. He mainly emphasized on multiple usage of the existing usable agriculture land through promoting locally feasible vegetables and cash-crops. Mr. Sarma mainly focused on Restructuring of cropping patterns where crop such as wheat, rape, mustard, potato, lentil, summer moong, bodo rice, garlic and mostly vegetable (Peas, French-bean) and fodder crops which can be usually grown in the targeted areas. The technical and seasonal Know-how were been integrated by Mr. Sarma in the session.
The Agricultural Calendar shared for restructuring of cropping pattern for pea, mustard, garlic and bodo paddy in context of Dhemaji, Assam:
Months Monsoon
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mustard
Boro paddy
Pea
Garlic
Index: : Period soil preparation
: Period of sowing
: Period of transplantation
: Period of harvesting
Following the community plan to promote “Restructuring of cropping pattern” in their respective villages, the project extended support in terms of kinds following the “Purchase policy” of RVC where the community formed integral part of the process. Following the distribution a field assessment has been carried out jointly with the farming communities and resource person to take stock of the status of the survival and growth rate of the same under the technical back-stopping initiative which also focused on providing critical inputs to the practicing farmers. Mr. Rohini Baishya (Agriculture specialist) extended support in the process.
04. Addressing immediate emergency needs of the flood affected communities of Dhemaji District: Background: During the monsoon 2017, 4 waves of floods ripped through the Dhemaji District has mainly affecting 4 blocks of the District namely Jonai, Sissiborgaon Block, Dhemaji Block, and the Bordoloni Block of which the Jonai and the Sissiborgaon Block are the worst affected. As per Government report near about 3, 00,000 populations of 675 villages were been severely affected.
Unmet needs: To take in depth stock of the situation RVC undertook an assessment mainly to identify the immediate needs of the affected communities which are going totally unaddressed through discussion (FGD with men and women) with the affected communities, discussion with the Village headmen, PRI members and other community leaders. It was been observed that the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) needs of the communities were quite critical and was largely overlooking by the Government as well as not been addressed by any other agencies.
Project component: Following the observation and discussion with the affected communities RVC decided to in the area of WASH providing support to 3930 worst affected families of with the following materials- Shelter Kit, Hygiene Kit, Livelihood support( Fishing Net and Woolen Yarn) , Education Kit
Incessant rainfall since the beginning of July resulted in increase of water level of Brahmaputra, Impact of the activity:
Accessibility to minimum essential materials for maintaining safe health and hygiene practices has largely influenced the existing community’s health and hygiene practices. Mother & child health related problems due to non-hygienic living conditions otherwise during and post-flood period was largely eliminated which accelerated the restoration process. Right to live with dignity during disaster of the most vulnerable groups (Children, Pregnant and Nursing mother) was asserted.
Subansiri, Demow, Dikhari, Lali, Simen, Jiadhal, and Gai rivers in Dhemaji district. The overflowing water flooded the villages and caused damages to houses and properties. There were loss livestock and livelihood supports of the people were dislocated. Basically the 2 revenue circle – Jonai and Sissiborgaon suffered great loss during the flood which occurred 3 times this year. Some of the people died and destruction of paddy crops and raw materials led to loss of the income sources. In such a condition Rural Volunteer Centre stepped forward to support the affected community. After direct assessment in the affected villages it was found that the raw materials of their income sources have been washed away and damaged by the flood waters. As fishing and weaving are the main income sources of livelihood in these areas. Therefore it was decided by the partner organization to provide YARN for women and FISHING NET for men. Door to door household survey was conducted in the 15 flood affected villages of Jonai revenue circle under Ramdhan Dikhari and Leimekuri Gram Panchayat.
05. Promotion of community Managed Disaster Risk Management initiatives: During the period RVC has supported with 5-nos of country boat to village community(hard to reach areas) with Country Boat- A case study from Mechaki chapori, Jonai, Dhemaji,
Introduction – Mechaki Chapori falls under Leimekuri GP of Jonai Block in Dhemaji district, Assam. It is around 95 kms from the district headquarter, Dhemaji. The Chapori was established some 30 years ago. The community dwelling in this Chapori comprises of Bodo, Mishing, Sutradhar, Rabha, Adivasi and Bengali. The Chapori is surrounded by River Lali and River Brahmaputra. The area of this Chapori extends approximately 52 sq.kms. There are 28 villages in this particular Chapori with a total of around 8000 population, 3600 voters from approximately 800 households. The highway is about 40 kms away from the village. Intervention of RVC with support from UNICEF The key problems: Flood is a yearly phenomenon of Mechaki Chapori which causes lots of damages to properties and sometimes loses of human lives. No grazing place for cattle in times of flood. The Transportation and Communication difficulty increases. The Community of this area is bound to cross the river at 2 points to have their daily usable essential items from the market which is outside the village. The communities have to cross the river with costly services of commercial boats due to unavailability of boats. The flood as well as the location of the villages has a great impact upon the Education children as there are -There are no high schools and colleges for higher education. There is only Lower Primary school in the village. The roads get cut off due to flood waters. The school gets damage. Much problem is faced by those children who have cross the River Lali at 2 points to reach the ME and High Schools in flood. As a result drop out takes place. Again there is impact upon the Health of the Community where there is no health centre. Approach to medical for pregnant/delivery women becomes a great difficulty. Sickness and diseases are common phenomenon after the flood. Problem of WASH arises as water gets contaminated; there is no raised hand-pump, no raised latrine. Disturbance from wild elephants is another problem amidst the problems of flood in the villages.
Interventions/ Solution – Focusing on the Right to Development aspect of the children in this flood affected place a Country Wooden Boat was given to the community with support from UNICEF in the year 2017 for continuity of education for the children.
The wooden boat benefited a lot to the community of Mechaki Chapori and it was the need for the community especially for school going children on the following aspects-
Children are able to go out of the village for studies Community are able travel across to the nearby villages and markets A help for the sick and pregnant women to go to health centre (Ramdhan Dikhari health centre and Telem Health centre)
Result – The people are happy for this boat support and grateful to UNICEF and RVC they are availing the transportation services for the followings:
The boat gives service to 40 to 50 school going children daily Around 200 persons cross the river by the boat daily The risk of losing life has been reduced than before when they used banana raft. It has given seasonal job to a boatman and get regular food supply from the community
Students and villagers returning to the villages crossing the river with their supplies
06. Promotion of community Managed Disaster Risk Management system: -During the period RVC has 11 nos of CFS in Dhemaji and Majuli District.-A case study from Bodolpur Bodo Village, Dhemaji.
Introduction: Bodolpur Bodo village was established around 1967-68 on the bank of the river Lali a tributary of Brahmaputra river. The village is in Dhemaji district under Jonai Revenue Circle which consists of 71 households and approximately 450 populations.
Flood in the recent past years have caused damages to the LP school and displaced it 2 times. The flood of 1977, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2016 and 2018 has caused much damage in the village and displaced the school building. The photograph is a recent one of where the school was. Now the river Lali is flowing over it. No sign is left behind except The only LP school was eroded and washed memory off with no signs left behind.
Promotion of CFS: Since 2016 with support from UNICEF RVC has been implementing a Project ‘Suraksha’ in Dhemaji and Majuli district. The concept of CFS was first introduced in 2016 in this village. Through the support of UNICEF 5 CFS were constructed in the targeted project villages. One CFS was constructed in Bodolpur village. This CFS played great role for the development of children in times of flood and after it. This was the base and it became a model for continuity of education and learning space for the flood affected children. The Village Level Disaster Management Committee and Village Level Child Protection Committee were part of the process of setting up the CFS in the village.
This initiative of UNICEF and RVC captured the attention of the local governance. And in short course of time the Panchayat set up a CFS through GPDP fund in the village where the school was washed away. The recently built CFS has local contributions such as voluntary work, bamboo contribution and other local resources. Now the CFS is used as school and meetings and discussion for the
The CFS in front, Temporary LP school (left) and the open ground with bamboo fencing around villagers. Construction of school building in the village will take its times. Presently there are 41 students (23 girls and 17 boys) pursuing their Lower Primary education in this CFS.
Sitting arrangement (Desks and Benches) for students inside CFS
Newspaper cutting from Asomiya Pratidin of Flood-Erosion of the LP School being displaced
Comments from the village community: Mr. Mohendra Narzary father of Sanjay Narzary (7 years old) said that he happy for the CFS in the village where his son is continuing his education, studying in class-
Mr. Bilad Narzary a youth from the village said that he is much happy for the CFS. It is a place for learning, playing and relaxing.
07. Promotion of community Managed Disaster Risk Management system: During the period RVC has promoted 5-nos of Raised hand-pumps in Dhemaji and Sissiborgaon Block of Dhemaji District with support from Save the Children.
This raised hand-promoted by RVC with support from Save the Children during 2016-17, has been acknowledged by ASDMA as good practice has been awarded with 3-prize in the occasion of International DRR day competition on Good practice on DRR, 2017
Total Outreach (2016-17) Sl No. Category Number (Approx) Comments 01. Community affected by chronic 150 villages/3750 In Dhemaji, Majuli and disaster (flood) HHs/20,625 Lakhimpur District under flood population preparedness flood response programs. 02. Communities engaged in 10 villages/500 In Dhemaji District agriculture and allied activities HHs/2650 population 03. Women 10065 In Dhemaji, Majuli and Lakhimpur District under flood preparedness flood response programs. 04 Children and adolescent (0-18 11250 In Dhemaji, Majuli and years) Lakhimpur District under flood preparedness flood response programs. 05. Youth (19-24) 1000 In Dhemaji, Majuli and Lakhimpur District under flood preparedness flood response programs.
Total Outreach (Adolescent and youth)in the year 2016-17::
Sl No. Category Number (Approx) Comments 01. Adolescent (10-18) 5625 In Dhemaji, Majuli and Lakhimpur District under flood preparedness flood response programs. 02. Youth (19-24) 1000 In Dhemaji, Majuli and Lakhimpur District under flood preparedness flood response programs.
RVC work in association with:
ASDMA/DDMA Office of the Deputy Commissioner-Dhemaji and Majuli District School safety Advisory Committee, Dhemaji and Majuli RVC is member of District Child Protection Committee (DCPD), Majuli 12th Battalion of NDRF, Dhemaji SDRF, Majuli. Fire and Emergency Service-Dhemaji and Majuli. Office of the Social Welfare Officer-Dhemaji and Majuli Office of District Elementary Officer and Office of the Inspector of Schools. DIET, Dhemaji and Majuli District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Dhemaji. Child Welfare Committee (CWC, Dhemaji). Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Dhemaji
Grants Received by RVC during FY: 2016-17
Source of financial support. Amount (In Years Purpose INR)
UNICEF 1067532 2016-17 Suraksha-Community Managed Child Inclusive Disaster Management in Upper Brahmaputra River Basin.
Association for International 803500 2016-17 Building climate resilient community-With Development (AID) special focus on Livelihood
Earth Island 355136 2016-17 Addressing WASH related emergency crises of communities affected by flood-Hygiene Kit Support.
Save the Children 2665259 2016-17 Protecting the rights of children and building disaster resilient communities in the flood prone areas in Assam.
4691384 2016-17 Addressing WASH related emergency crises of communities affected by flood-Hygiene Kit Support.
Promoting Child friendly Spaces (CFS) to ensure the Rights of the children(Right to survival, Right to development, Right to development and Right to protection and Right to protection) affected by flood.
Mark Andrew 20078 2016-17 Addressing WASH related emergency crises of communities affected by flood-Hygiene Kit Support. Vicassam 44811.50 2016-17 Addressing WASH related emergency crises of communities affected by flood-Hygiene Kit Support. NFI 550000 2016-17 Intervention for promoting and ensuring the Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights of adolescent and youth among the Tribal Community with a special focus on flood affected communities of Dhemaji District of Assam.
Siemenphu Foundation 636094 2016-17 Mobilizing Indian ecosystem communities on climate justice: exploring the co-relation between global climate politics and domestic energy policies in Central and North Eastern India.
10. Facebook: [email protected] 11. Website: www.rvcassam.org
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