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Global Program India: Poverty reduction and food security, promoting social inclusion of marginalised groups as well as increasing the resilience to disasters in high-risk areas.
In Krushnaprasad Block of Puri District, floods are quite common especially during the period from June- September when the region receives 75% percent of its rainfall. The monsoon season also entails various low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal which lead to cyclones and heavy rainfall/winds almost every year. The rural population of Krushnaprasad Block are mostly from SC/ST communities and are primarily engaged in fishing. Cyclone Fani in 2019, caused widespread damage to lives, housing and livelihood of these vulnerable communities.
Under the Global Programme, AJSA, in collaboration with Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Government of Germany and Caritas India, is engaged in building the capacity of rural coastal communities of Krushnaprasad Block through participatory risk reduction planning, training of task forces on emergency response and convergence with government departments to identify alternative farm-based livelihood. The initiative is closely carried out with the support and collaboration of state, district and block authorities.
Key Achievements under the program-
- Convergence with JJM for formation of VWSCs and preparation of VAPs for 24×7 water supply in all villages of Krushnaprasad and Brahmagiri Block.
- Convergence with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and horticulture department for mapping of alternate livelihood. In this, saplings of vegetables (eggplant, chilli, tomato, capsicum etc.) were provided to the beneficiaries. Some of the beneficiaries were also to grow and nurture the seed and saplings provided to them and thus providing a good source of nutrition through kitchen gardens.
- Many women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were assessed to understand the needs and issues arising. The SHGs were linked with the Block Livelihood Officer under the program. Proposals have been prepared and submitted to the Livelihood Officer (OLM) by these SHGs which will help them to expand their income generation opportunities.
- Household level preparedness kits were prepared along with the help of frontline workers (ASHA, AWW). The kits contain essential supplies required in the initial 24-48 hours of a disaster. This includes dry food, flashlight, candles, legal documents, medicines for chronically ill/children etc.
- One of the program villages (Arakhakuda) experiences overflow of water especially during monsoon. With the support of the Sarpanch, a flood embankment wall was proposed and approved to be carried out via MGNREGS in a Gram Sabha meeting.
