Category: Projects

Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP): A Programme for Increase Productivity and the Market Access of Farmers and Community Groups
The Programme Context:

The basic objective is to increase the productivity and the market access of targeted farmers and community groups. Key indicators of success would be increased yields of crops, fish and livestock products – complemented by an increase in the proportion of marketed surplus. Although the over-riding objective is to stimulate the growth of Assam’s agricultural economy, project activities are predominantly pro-poor, directed primarily at small and marginal landholders, poor fishing communities and the landless. The project also aims to empower the poor farming communities (as clusters/ groups) by providing knowledge-tools-financial support for achieving higher agriculture productivity and facilitate efficient linkages with agriculture commodity markets for better remunerative prices and thereby ensuring an increase in farm family income.

Target Area:

The project AACP-AF covers all three sub-divisions namely Jorhat, Majuli and Titabar in agriculture sector. For Tractor & Micro Watershed Drainage Project, the intervention include all the development blocks while STW (Shallow Tubewell) programme is operated in three development blocks namely Ujani Majuli, Central Jorhat and Kaliapani Development Block.

Sector wise key activities undertaken during the year:

Agriculture Sector – Shallow Tube Well / Tractor

In Jorhat district, Ujani Majuli Development Block and a part of Central Jorhat & Kaliapani Development Block was being identified as the feasible area for STW installation & arsenic free out of eight numbers of development block in the district. During last year, 2013-14, NEADS along with district Agriculture Engineering Dept. disbursed 485 nos. of STW to the ASG (Agriculture Service Group) beneficiaries against the same target in Jorhat. In 2014-15, the project fixed 120 nos. STW and 6 nos. of Tractor as additional targets in the district. So, DNGO NEADS, Jorhat completed 30 nos. of awareness & group discussion in Bezarchiga, Meleng Balichapari, Kakojan, , Kawoimari, Azarguri and khanamukh area under Jorhat Sub-Division and in Mudoibeel, Bogoriguri, Jokaibuwa, Ratanpur, Morisuti, Marisuti, Jengrai, Ujani Majuli & 2 no.Bargayan areas under Majuli sub-division during the year for STW and Tractor. Total 172 nos. of STW and 20 numbers of tractor application form among the farmers were distributed. Besides, we collected more than one hundred fifty (150) numbers filled application from the field areas for both the components STW and Tractor.

During this year, more than 140 nos. of STW applications and more than 12 nos. of Tractor application could be collected against the action plan covering the whole district. Then we completed the social screening report of collected forms of ASG and submitted the same to the Agriculture Engineering Department along with the selected and non-selected cause.

Agriculture Sector– Micro Watershed Drainage Programme:

During the year, 7 nos. of Micro Watershed Drainage Projects (MWDP) are completed in Jorhat district under AACP-AF. At that time NEADS in collaboration with Agriculture Engineering Department monitored every project site i.e. Chengelijan MWDP, Titabor, Nagakulajan MWDP, Halowapather, Radhikajan MWDP, Panichakua, Kawoimari Bagarigurijan MWDP, Uttar Dulia, Deughariajan MWDP, Deugharia and Gendhali Kolajan MWDP and discussed with the community and MWG committee regarding their role and responsibility on the development work. After completion of drainage development, in all projects site the beneficiaries cultivated paddy or other vegetables for the first time in this year. More than about eighty percent lands are free from water and as a result they could cultivate there. The production is much better than before only for development of drainage and the profit of farmer was increased. In this year, Mridula Singh, Sr. Social Development Specialist, World Bank visited the Chengelijan MWDP site, Titabor.

Though the physical works was completed, NEADS regularly visiting the entire site in regular intervals for monitoring. They suggested them to maintain books and accounts, to organize regular meetings, collected production report of MWDP area and also reminded on the 10% fixed deposit for maintenance of the drainage after three years.

Public Works Department (PWD) – Rural Roads Upgradation

In this year, DNGO NEADS, Jorhat is included for rural roads up gradation under PWD sector. The project sanctioned 2 nos. fishery approach road and 2 nos. rural roads up gradation in Jorhat district, 5 nos. of fishery approach road in Golaghat district and 1 no. rural roads up gradation in Sivsagar district as per DPR submitted Rural Roads Dept. under PWD of concerned districts. NEADS coordinators organized different awareness camp among the beneficiaries of roads. They mobilized the people of those villages and road management committee was formed as per project guidelines for smooth running of the development work. There we found no any R & R issues. Though there have some environmental issues, we negotiate them after discussion with community. During the stipulated period the activity of rural roads development are completed under AACP-AF.

Forestry:

In Forestry Sector under Digboi Forest Division, Tinisukia NEADS organized 4 nos. of awareness meeting and motivation programme among four JFMC namely Nazirating, 3 No. Borbil, Bhitar Pawoi and Baraphutia. During this period, the selected list of beneficiaries for Employment Generation Mission scheme from all JFMC has been submitted to the concerned authority. Besides group formation for intercropping activities is completed by our coordinator with the help of JFMC community. During this year, NEADS coordinator took initiative in production of intercropping product (Turmeric) as well as their marketing. The social audit was completed in every JFMC by the all stakeholders during the year. The data collection of profit sharing of the JFMC beneficiaries is also completed in this period.

GPS Coordination of installed STW in UpperAssam:

Besides those regular activities, NEADS involved in some other activities in this period. We completed GPS reading of installed STW in both AACP & AACP-AF period in 5 districts of Upper Assam, viz. Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivsagar, Dibrugarh and Tinisukia during the year 2014-15. Moreover, another ongoing activity of NEADS was water sample collection from STWs under AACP-AF in Jorhat district. Then monitoring of Farmers Information & Advisory Centre (FIAC) under CSS-ATMA in Golaghat, Sibsagar and Tinisukia district, data collection from different ASG, CIG, CTG, beel fishery, DCS , MWDP & JFMC for ICR mission were some important activities of the project.

Programme Output:

• Total 120 nos. of STW pumps were being installed benefitting total 360 nos. small and marginal farmers throughout the implementing year. The respective farmers are cultivating various types of multiple crops including rice cultivation Sali, Boro, Mustard, Robi crops etc.
• 8 numbers of tractors are accessed to 8 groups consisting of total 80 farmers.
• 7 nos. of Micro Water shed Drainage Programme are completed.
• 4 awareness meeting and motivation programmes held among four Joint Forest Management Committee namely Nazirating, 3 No. Borbil, Bhitar Pawoi and Baraphutia. After selection of beneficiaries and formation of groups the process of intercropping completed in their area.

Assam Flood 2016

The second wave of flood caused by the heavy and incessant rainfall in the upper catchment area in Arunachal Pradesh (Upper Brahmaputra basin) and hills of Nagaland for a number of days which has led to the overflow in spate of tributaries alongwith the rivulets of river Brahmaputra including Disang, Dikhow, Jhanji, Dorika, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri, Gelabil and Kakodonga traversing through southern bank of the valley extensively inundating many areas in the districts of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Golaghat. Flood water of these rivers created havoc at Mahuramukh and Kakodonga river side area of Golaghat, Majuli island and Jhanimukh area of Jorhat and riverine areas of the district Sivasagar. The wave of flood has severely affected the districts of Jorhat and Golaghat including parts of Majuli inundating more than two hundred villages.

The Embankment Breach Incident of River Bhogdoi in Jorhat (Date of occurrence: 8th July, 2016)

The wave of flash flood triggered because of a breach in the embankment of river Bhogdoi at Namoni Gayen Gaon area of Jorhat district around at 7:30 AM, a large number of 30,000 people of more than 15 revenue villages of North-West Jorhat (Dhekorgorha) development block are severely affected by the rising waters. The river washed away the embankment at Namoni Gayen Gaon of Malowkhat area by a 100 meters of wide breach. The heavy and over flow of water in Bhogdoi river from the upper catchment of the hills of Nagaland led to the such breach and after the deluge a large number of villages are being extensively inundated in the entire pocket. The flood water created destruction at the affected villages located inside the embankment to a massive extent. The speedy flow of river water from the hills increased the rising trend for which the situation turned into grim and more hazardous.

District Wise Information & Population Findings of Affected Areas

District	Affected Block	Area and the Affected Nos. of Village (Approximate)	Total Population Affected (Approximate)
Jorhat	Koliapani, Majuli	Jhanjimukh – 20 Villages Majuli – 100 Villages Dhekorgora – 20 Villages	42,000 People
Golaghat	Bokakhat	Mahuramukh (Bonkual) (Under G.P. – Disoi, Uttar Mahura, Gulung & Dasuti)  – 52 Villages	15,600 People
Sivasagar	Gaurisagar, Disangmukh	Disangmukh – 15 Villages Dikhowmukh – 10 Villages	7,500 People

The Relief Response Matrix of NEADS

Humanitarian Organisation	Targeted District	Affected Area/Block	Number of Targeted Village	Covered House Hold  /Beneficiaries	Type of Emergency Support
Oxfam India	Jorhat & Golaghat	Koliapani, Dhekorgora, Dergaon & Badulipara	52 Villages	4213 HHs	Hygiene Kit, NFI Kit, Temporary Shelter Materials
Tere Desh Hommes – Germany	Jorhat	Koliapani (Jhanjimukh)	4 Villages	400 HHs	Food Packages, Hygiene Kit, NFI Kit & Temporary Shelter Materials
AmeriCare India	Jorhat, Golaghat & Sivasagar	Koliapani, Dhekorgora, Dergaon,  Badulipara, Gourisagar, Disangmukh	50 Villages	5500 People	Emergency health care service
Aide et Action	Golaghat	Bokakhat	4 Villages	240 HHs	Food Package support
Humanitarian Aid International	Jorhat	Koliapani (Jhanjimukh)	1 Village	111 HHs	Seed support for livelihood restoration

Humanitarian Aid to the Flood Victim of Majuli Island (2014-15)

In the year 2014, the state Assam experienced a devastating wave of flood in the month of August caused by river Brahmaputra and its mighty tributaries. The torrential rainfall occurred in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh and the total catchment area of upper Brahmaputra Basin triggered flooding which leave peoples life out of gear. The Majuli island of Jorhat district was severally affected by the deluge to a significant degree. As immediate relief and response the flood victims of the river island, NEADS distributed Tarpaulin and Hygiene kits to the affected people of Dakhinpat Kumargaon, Ujoni Sumoimari, Bortika, Kajgaon, Puroni Satra Bamungaon, Khurahula, Polashani Chapori and Alimur Bamungaon, where total 600 worst flood hit families were supported.

Emergency Relief Support to the Violence Hit People (2014-15)

In December 2014, a series of attacks by militants resulted in deaths of more than 76 in Assam. The attacks took place in the districts of Chirang, Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts, on 23 December 2014. They have been attributed to the Songbijit faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland — NDFB(S). NEADS carried out a fund raising drive within its working area and other supporting partners in order to extend relief support to the victim of the violence. Food and NFI relief support like Rice, Potatoes, Biscuits and Blankets were being distributed to the inmates at 2 No. Sudemessi relief camp, of Bisanath Chariali, the district of Tezpur. Total 480 numbers of affected and displaced families of the conflict were supported through the relief programme.

Assam Flood 2012

In the year 2012, the state Assam experienced two devastating wave of flood in the month of June and September caused by river Brahmaputra and its mighty tributaries. The torrential rainfall occurred in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh and the total catchment area of upper Brahmaputra Basin triggered flooding throwing peoples life out of gear. The southern bank of river Brahmaputra i.e. the districts Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat were severally affected by the deluge in a significant degree.

The Relief Response Matrix of NEADS

Humanitarian Organisation	Targeted District	Affected Area/Block	Number of Targeted Village	Covered House Hold  /Beneficiaries	Type of Emergency Support
Save the Children	Tinsukia	Sadiya	6	400	CFS, Food Support, NFI
Tere Desh Hommes – Germany	Sivasagar	Sivasagar	21	1755	Tarpaulin and Nutritional Food Baskets 40 Tarpaulins / 1755 Food Baskets & 2 Health Camps
Gramya Vikash Manch (With support of JTT)	Tinsukia	Sadiya	25	1950	Food Support (Rice, Dal, Oil, Salt, Nutritious Biscuits)
Good Neighbours India	Jorhat	Jhanjimukh (Teok)	5	500	Tarpaulin, Nutritious Food baskets
AmeriCare India	Sivasagar, Jorhat	Gourisagar, Jhanjimukh, Ahatguri	15	1248	300 NFI and Hygiene Kit, 5 health Camps
Action Aid India	Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat	Sadiya, Dhola, Lajai, Jhanjimukh, Mahuramukh	46	2876	Tarpaulin Support, Medical health Camps, Water chlorination,
Centre for Social Development	Golaghat	Mahuramukh	10	850	Nutritious Food Baskets

Name of the Initiative – Community Development in Sadiya (Local Rights Programme)
Supporting Partner – Action Aid Association (AAA)
Programme Duration – 2007 to 2017

• Villages Reached – 28
• Blocks Reached – Sadiya
• Districts Reached – Tinsukia
• No of Girls – 584
• No of Boys – 400
• No of People With Disability – 283
• Families Indirectly Benefited – 2,016
• Vulnerable Groups Reached – Tribals, Muslims, Women, Informal sector labour

Focus Areas of Intervention

Empowering the communities to access their rights over land, water, forests and other commons; advocating for their participation in public welfare schemes; restoring rights of women and girls, and ensuring their safety; ensuring the rights of children, their education and protection; and advocating for providing them with equal socio-economic opportunities; Responding at emergency situation in the region.

Basic Information About The Initiative

The LRP, NEADS, has been partnering with ActionAid on a number of issues on various regional and national platforms formally since 2004. The first time NEADS was formally associated with ActionAid was during the severe flood of 2004. ActionAid was one of the first agencies to respond to the emergency in partnership with grassroots organizations and a group of dedicated volunteers. NEADS was a crucial partner in the network and led the response in Golaghat and Jorhat districts. Since then NEADS has been regularly partnering ActionAid in a number of initiatives in the state. A more definitive partnership began when ActionAid decided to start a NF project with NEADS in December 2005 to build perspective and capacities of peoples organizations engaged in movements seeking rights and justice being denied to some of the most vulnerable communities in Assam like the displaced populations, the flood affected the landless farmers, etc. In the past 10 years, NEADS has been a constant partner with ActionAid India, working on larger issues of development, displacement, globalization and its impact on the people of the region, disaster response, etc. The presence and capacity of NEADS to lead larger issues in the Upper Assam districts, and the working partnership build up over the years helped ActionAid to position peoplesﾒ choice and through NEADS.

• Families Benefited – 1,791
• Population Benefited – 10,604
• Women Benefited – 4,716
• Men Benefited – 4,621
• Children Benefited – 984

Programme – Improving Adolescent Girls Nutrition through Promotion of Kitchen Garden Programmes in Tea Gardens of Assam
Duration – 2012 to 2016
The Project Contextual Background:

Dibrugarh is situated in the eastern part of Assam and southern bank of the river Brahamaputra in the northeastern region of India. Tea is the major agro industry in the state Assam. Assam is the highest tea producer state in India which contributes immensely to the state’s economy. Dibrugarh, the hub of tea industry is situated in the eastern corner of the state. Poor socio economic conditions, ignorance due to illiteracy, overcrowded and unhygienic living condition in the residential colonies situated within the tea estates make the tea garden people vulnerable to various communicable disease and malnutrition. In addition to that health and low nutritional status is considered as biggest emerging issue of tea garden community. Considering health and malnutrition as contemporary problem of adolescence girls, NEADS in partnership with UNICEF aimed at developing this intervention to ensure the availability and use of quality local food that would help the tea garden communities specially the adolescences maintain good health.

The Objectives:

• Imbibe a sense of nutritious food among the tea garden communities.
• Ensure effective use of the activities as initial learning to the adolescent girls through the Adolescent Girls’ Group already existing in the tea estate.
• Move the tea garden communities towards self reliance in the matter of nutritional intake and its role in keeping good health.
• Enhance capacity of the girls’ group to participate in the development process
• Improve quality cooking in order to retain nutritional value to the maximum extent possible for maintaining good health.
• To make the meal more salutary.

Targeted Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries are the approximately 21,000 adolescents’ girls of 42 tea gardens. In addition to this mothers club members and community members are being considered as the other targeted beneficiaries.

Key Project Activities Undertaken

• Mobilization and Strengthening of Kishori Sangh (Adolescent Girls club) and Mothers Club in 42 Tea Estates
• Support for Sustenance of 51 Community Kitchen Gardens in 42 Tea Garden
• Capacity Building Training on Kitchen Garden Preparation, Development and Maintenance
• Mobilization of Adolescent Girls for Individual Kitchen Garden
• Orientation cum training to Adolescent girls clubs and mothers’ clubs members for improving dietary diversity through kitchen gardening practice in the newly adopted 27 TG of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia
• Organized Annual cooking and Kitchen Garden Competition

PROJECT OUTCOME / ACHIEVEMENTS

• 68 kitchen gardens at community basis have been nurtured and prepared in 42 Tea estates collectively and 227 kitchen gardens at individual basis under the project. 227 individual kitchen gardens were developed by the adolescent girls of total targeted 42 tea gardens with the technical support of NEADS.
• Members of Kishori Sangh have learned the concept of Kitchen garden development as well as management. Awareness is being generated among them to prepare kitchen garden units at household level at individual basis.
• Throughout the entire yearlong project period, NEADS built up rapport with the tea garden management, ABITA and MCH Cell of Assam Medical College as joint partner initiative towards effective implementation of the programme.
• Adolescent Girl club members are setting role play as method of awareness generation and mass information dissemination on importance of health and nutrition in form of demonstration and cultural events.
• Individual kitchen gardens at own household level are being initiated by the girls club members.

Programme Title: Capacity Building on Climate Change & International Humanitarian Law
Duration: 2014-2017
Supported by – Centre for Social Development (CSD), Imphal
The Background

The Objective

Rights & control of the community over land and resources are protected through strengthening of community based institutions with gender justice.

Key Activities Undertaken

1. Training on Climate Change Adaptation, Human Rights, Gender Mainstreaming, Globalisation, Neo-Liberalisation etc.
2. Capacity building workshop on Peace building and Conflict transformation
3. Campaign on Dams, Human Rights, Violence against women etc.
4. Seminar and convention on the issue of indigenous people
5. Research and documentation on environmental and human rights issue

Outcome

1. NEADS have able to promote 3 numbers of local POs with membership of about 2630 including 2070 females and 560 males
2. Developed strong working relationship with 4 numbers of existing state level POs with total membership of more than 85,000 including more than 25,000 males and about 65,000 females
3. Promoted 33 numbers of SHG with total membership of 443 including 423 females and 20 males
4. Promoted 3 SHGs Federation with total membership of 486 including 423 females and 63 males
5. Promoted 1 farmer club with total membership of 40 including 21 females and 19 males
6. Promoted 3 food banks with total membership of 193 including 144 females and 49 males.

The Childline 1098 Service has been launched in the river island district Majuli of Assam on 17th March, Friday. North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a Jorhat based grassroot organisation which has been officially aligned as partner to implement the programme in Majuli hosts the inaugural event, held at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Garamur, in association with the district administration. Mr. Pallav Gopal Jha, Deputy Commissioner graced the occasion with his presence and participated the meeting as the guest of honour. Further, delegates from various line departments, elected representatives from PRIs and social workers were present.

Childline 1098 service is run by Childline India Foundation which is supported by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development under Integrated Child Protection Scheme. The programme operates a telephone helpline for children in distress. It is a 24 hour, toll free phone outreach service for children who are in need of aid and assistance. Mr. Pallav Gopal Jha, in his inaugural speech urged everyone present in the gathering out there to reach out to every child who is in need of care, protection and emergency services. In his opinion, he called everyone to create an effort to establish a child friendly society where children as right holder have access to their rights and entitlements.

Childline 1098 service will work for the protection of the rights of all children in general. But the special focus is on all children in need of care and protection, especially the more vulnerable sections, which include street children and youth living alone on the streets, child labourers working in the unorganised and organized sectors, domestic help, especially girl domestics, children affected by physical / sexual / emotional abuse in family, schools or institutions, children who need emotional support and guidance, children of commercial sex workers, victims of child trafficking, children abandoned by parents or guardians, missing children, run away children, children who are victims of substance abuse, differently-abled children, children in conflict with the law, children in institutions, mentally challenged children, HIV/ AIDS infected children, children affected by conflict and disaster and children whose families are in crisis.

Girin Chetia, Director of NEADS expressed his words that the service will bring hope for children across the island and its neighbouring districts who are in need of aid and assistance at any situation. We at NEADS are very much committed to work for protection of children at any level. He appealed everyone concerned about child to dial 1098, the toll free number to access the services. Also added that Childline not only respond to the emergency needs of children but also link them to ensure services for their long-term care and rehabilitation for their living of a dignified life.

Project Area – Sadiya sub-division, Dist.- Tinsukia
Supporting Agency – Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)
Duration – 2017-18

Overall objective

To advance rural, indigenous, migrant and urban poor (RIMUP) women’s human rights by increasing their capacity in Asia Pacific to author evidence-based community research and be vocal and effective policy advocates for climate justice, human rights and just development.

Specific objectives

• Develop the capacity of RIMUP women and their organisations in 8-10 communities to research and document evidence for use in engaging decision-making processes on climate change at local, national, regional and international levels;
• Foster knowledge and resources on the impact of climate change and climate policies, practices and projects on women at the local, national, regional and international levels;
• Establish strategic advocacy plans and opportunities to share evidence-based results and support women’s own positions and solutions for policy change at national, regional and international levels; and
• Strengthen institutional development of partner organization through leadership development and movement building.

Duration: 2009 to 2017
Supported by: Aide et Action

Programme Background

The Access and Quality Education Project now covers 20 most disaster affected villages of Golaghat district in Northern Assam mainly populated by the Mishing tribal community, Schedule Caste (SC) and other backward caste population. The Mishing are an ethnic group inhabiting the districts of Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat of Assam. They are the second largest tribal group in North-East India, followed by the Bodo’s. Traditionally they live on both side of the bank of river Brahmaputra.
The traditional joint family dwelling system is most predominant among the Mishing people based on patrilineal and patrilocal system.

Cultivation is the primary occupation of the Mishing Community. The average land holding of the individual families of the villages are 7 hectares of arable land. Geomorphic and anthropogenic flood and erosion have robbed the Mishing of their land and property. Once very rich land lords have been reduced to landless by frequent waves of flood and erosion. Destiny has forced some Mishing families to reside on the river embankment permanently. The economic condition of almost all the Mishing families in the Project area is now very poor. The initial implementation of the project in 2009, somehow reduced the dropouts in the project schools and however in some of the other schools in the project area. But not in all the schools. Still in 50% of the school, the issue of dropouts has to be address in the project area.

The project area had 22 venture schools which are run by community. These schools are plagued by a host of problems such as lack of basic physical infrastructure, lack of trained teachers, lack of adequate school infrastructure, lack of adequate Teaching Learning Materials, textbooks and notebooks, lack of safe drinking water facility and sanitation facility. The conditions of the government schools are also equally not good so far as quality of teaching, regular attendance of the teachers and use of Teaching Learning Materials are concerned.
The State Government has passed an Act named ‘Assam Venture Educational Institutions in 2011 (Provincialization of Services) Bill 2011’ paving the way for regularization of services of 95,000 school teachers in 16,000 venture schools. It is hoped that after proper implementation of the Act the condition of the venture schools is somehow improving and would improve in a better in future.

The project area being flood affected, it was found that out of the 20 schools selected for Back to Basics programme in 2014. 11 nos. of schools are affected annually by flood. During this period, schools remain closed for an average of one month.

Aims and Objectives

:

• To improve the access and quality of education to the children below 14 years of age residing in 2(two) Panchayats under Bokakhat subdivision of Brahmaputra valley in upper Assam.
• To build the capacity of the community communal and develop them as pressure groups to promote and strengthen education governance and other cross cutting issues.
• To create a Children’s platform to led advocacy and motivate other children to pro-actively participate and contribute towards building of a compassionate, just society through child club.
• To build and strengthen the capacities of women and children in general and girl child in particular to advocate for their right to education and development’s

Geographic Operational Area: The Project location is at Mohuramukh under Bokakhat legislative constituency of Golaghat district (Assam).

Area of Intervention

Two Panchayat namely – Gulung and dushutimukh of Bokakhat legislative constituency under Golaghat district of Assam.
Major Activities Undertaken :

1. Strengthening VDC/SMC/mother’s group to support the child in improving their knowledge.
2. TRG members guide the VDC, SMC and mothers group to impart education to the child.
3. Conducted Child competency assessment for better competency of the child.
4. Regular monitoring of the CCA by TRG, SMC, VDC and the mother’s group.
5. Higher level activities would be conducted in the existing child club forums of the 2 Panchayats.
6. Women’s federation (Sanmilita Nari Adhikar Suraksha Manch) includes all women in the area.
7. Women’s federation takes up issues of advocacy.
8. Linking SHGs with financial institutions.

The Outcome :

1. With regular monitoring and follow 660 students in 20 projects schools was able to have proper competency level.
2. Once in a 2 month randomly TRG’s expertise utilized their efforts in the project area to develop the children.
3. TRG initiate the CCA in 20 project schools where 650 students have appeared.
4. VDC, SMC participated in the CCA sharing session.
5. 20 child clubs became regular village activity. 8 new wall magazines were being developed. 20 wall magazines come up with yearly edition. 4 outer level exploratory walks facilitated by VDC federation. 2 exposure visits facilitated by VDC federation. 8 outer level exploratory walk have been organized with 2 exposures for the child club forums.
6. 43 nos. of women in the federation.
7. More than 30 federation members and other 60 non members have been undergone a training on financial linkages.

Brahmaputra River Basin Resilience Building Programme

– A preparedness approach by strengthening coping capacity of the community living at the floodplain in the process of risk reduction.

The Project Context (Disaster Risk & Exposure to Hazards)

The eastern part of the region represents a severe floodplain area in the state of Assam. The southern valley of river Brahmaputra is highly prone to water induced hazards such as flood, flash flood, river bank erosion and land degradation. Flood and river bank erosion affect all aspects of the land, lives, and livelihoods of communities living in the region to a significant degree, leaving people homeless and displaced, destroy crops, damage public property, and damage development infrastructure. Moreover, annual cycles of flooding cripple people’s resilience and intensify the poverty spiral.

The Project Initiation

This community based preparedness approach of Disaster Risk Reduction in the floodplain pocket of the districts including Jorhat, Majuli and Golaghat was initiated in the year 2011 with the objective of preparing the affected community to meet flood emergencies and also mobilizing village community institutions at micro level for long term disaster mitigation process. At present a total number of 30 villages are being covered in the programme under three development blocks namely Koliapani of Jorhat, Bokakhat of Golaghat and Majuli block of Majuli districts respectively.

The Objectives (Both Long Term & Short Term)

• To increase target community’s capability to anticipate and prepare for natural disasters through knowledge, awareness and training – with a special focus on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable women and children, aged and Persons with disability.
• To substantially improve water, sanitation and hygiene conditions for the target community of the villages with particular focus on addressing needs of community.
• To improve food security and support livelihood of target communities in by providing capacity development training for building resilience in maintaining productive assets even when disrupted by disasters.
• To strengthen government, civil society, and community action for disaster risk reduction in order to enable communities, government and CSOs to identify, plan and act for reducing the vulnerabilities of communities to disasters.
• Promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and resilience at all levels through enhancing knowledge, innovation and education on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management.
• Mainstreaming disaster management into the developmental planning process by ensuring that different mitigation and preparedness activities are part of the regular development efforts and that plans at all levels from Village Plan, Gaon Panchayats to the development block.
• Ensuring efficient mechanism for identification, assessment, monitoring and mapping of disaster risks.

Programme Thrust Areas

• Institution Building, Disaster Preparedness and Response
• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Promotion
• Emergency Food Security & Vulnerable Livelihood
• Advocacy / Convergence and Linkages with Government Schemes

Key Activities Undertaken:

Community Based Disaster Preparedness

• Promoting villagewise ‘Duryug Bebosthapana Samiti’ (Village Disaster Management Committee). This is a grassroot institutional mechanism for preparing community to meet emergencies & mobilizing them for risk reduction.
• Conducted Participatory Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (PVCA) and Development planning at micro level of targeted villages. The emphasis was primarily in mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into development planning.
• Undertaking risk mapping and safety planning.
• Established Community Resource Centre for education, information and awareness on DRR at community level.
• Organized emergency mock drill trainings and carried out periodic exercise for preparedness and risk management.
• Establish Raised Granary for safe storage of food grain in the community.
• Support of emergency country boats & emergency equipments to the village institutions.

Risk Management by Accessing Safe Water, Sanitation and Proper Hygiene Education

• Installation of flood – resistant handpumps and sanitation structures in the chronic affected areas.
• Handpump tool kit and training support for village level mechanics including WASH Committees.
• Imparting training on water chlorination. Facilitation support of handpump chlorination drive after flood.
• Support of small water treatment units to the riverine community for accessibility of clean water.
• Community awareness generation events on WASH & Public Health Promotion
• Children centered Public Health Promotion (PHP).
• Sensitisation programme on children risks and safety in school.

Disaster Risk Reduction through Livelihood Concerns

• Support to farmers including women for restoration of livelihood through promotion of Early Harvesting Crop (stress tolerant), System of Rice Intensification (SRI), Kitchen Garden and Livestock.
• Post flood agricultural support to young farmers club.
• Promoting weaving as rural initiative for economy generation by the women collective.
• Farmers’ capacity building on sustainable agriculture, organic farming, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), livestock management, integrated farming practice and livelihood improvement.

Mainstreaming, Convergence & Advocacy

• Build linkages to government line departments for tapping resources under the development schemes.
• Submission of Village wise comprehensive DRR plan to Panchayati Raj Institution through special Gramsabha. Thrust has been given on disaster perspective development plan at PRI level policy.
• Block level and district level advocacy through ‘Village Disaster Management Committees’ with Line Departments to access services, also to mainstream DRR.
• DRR Capacity Building events for PRI, Block & Departmental functionaries, frontline workers including ASHA, AWW, VLEW, PARA-VET etc.
• Effort was on Convergence of programmes to build capacities of affected people.

Few Achievement of the Programme

• Institutionalizing disaster affected community as Village Disaster Management Committee for responding to any kind of hazard.
• Changes emerged in the awareness level of the affected community over disaster preparedness and perspectives. (Community sensitisation)
• Reduction of community morbidity rate occurred out of water borne diseases during and post flood situation.
• Building a chain of volunteers on water chlorination, handpump mechanics, and installation of bio-sand filters to act during emergencies.
• Community’s capacity enhanced on improvised livelihood practices in both farming and non farming.
• Adaptation practice started especially for early harvesting crops i.e. Bodo paddy is a good adaptation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
• Developing a chain of community volunteers for emergency disaster responses works including search & rescue, first aid, early warning and WASH. Some TFT members are included in district plan.
• Community accessibility increased towards development schemes implemented in the targeted villages.
• Women actions are organized for economic activities including upgrading weaving skills, livestock rearing and kitchen garden with market accessibility.

The Project Context & Background

The eastern part of Upper Brahmaputra Basin represents a severe floodplain area in the state of Assam. Being located in the floodplain along the river bank of Brahmaputra, Jhanjimukh pocket of the district Jorhat is highly prone to water induced hazards such as flood, flash flood, river bank erosion and land degradation. The area represents numerous severe flood-prone villages where the landscape of river Brahmaputra and its tributary rivers like Jhanji and Morijhanji are comparatively high and have deep channels right from the upper catchment area of Arunachal Pradesh and the hills of Nagaland. Due to excessive and dynamic rainfall in the catchment areas and in the neighboring hill state, the river get charged with enormous quantity of silt and in their movement the river alter the condition of flow and sometime changes the river courses causing untold miseries to the people living in the downstream riverine areas. Flood and river bank erosion affect all aspects of the land, lives, and livelihoods of communities living in the region to a significant degree, leaving people homeless and displaced, destroy crops, damage public property, and damage development infrastructure. Moreover, annual cycles of flooding cripple people’s resilience and intensify the poverty spiral. Jhanjimukh is one of the most backward, poorest and almost entirely isolated area in the southern bank of Brahmaputra river valley in the district of Jorhat. The place is inhabited by different people groups including the Assamese, Mising, Fisherman community and Muslim etc. on the bank of in the main stream of the Brahmaputra river. The area is positioned in a place where mighty river Brahmaputra is being merged with two of its tributaries namely— Jhanji & Mori Jhanji.

The Goal

Develop resilience of communities in targeted areas of the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam (1 District and 15 Villages) to face natural disasters like floods and other emerging hazards – with a focus on the most vulnerable sections like women, children, elderly persons and people with disability.

Overall Objectives

Targeted communities in project villages are able to identify, understand disaster risk, to plan and to take actions to reduce community vulnerabilities to disasters especially the vulnerabilities of women, by themselves and with support from government, CSOs and the private sector.

Major Thrust Area of Work

• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (WASH)
• Food Security & Livelihood
• Institution Building, Disaster Preparedness and Response
• Advocacy / Building Networking & Linkages

Project Geographic Location & Information

Total Households for intervention	1360 HHs
Number of villages for direct intervention	15
Number of Gram Panchayats	2 G.P.
Name of Block/s of intervention	Koliapani Block
Name of District/s of Intervention	Jorhat