A consultation meeting was organized by KSSF at POC, Ernakulam [KCBC head quarters] on 24th August 2018 to review the relief activities of Diocesan Social Service Societies and to plan the future interventions related to restoration & rehabilitation of the flood victims.
DSSS directors shared their needs and plans for the restoration of the flood affected people in their respective areas. They also shared their resources, especially relief materials & services of volunteers for most affected areas.
A consultation meeting was organized by KSSF at POC, Ernakulam [KCBC head quarters] on 24th August 2018 to review the relief activities of Diocesan Social Service Societies and to plan the future interventions related to restoration & rehabilitation of the flood victims.
DSSS directors shared their needs and plans for the restoration of the flood affected people in their respective areas. They also shared their resources, especially relief materials & services of volunteers for most affected areas.
Major concerns shared by Directors:
- Food support to the families who have taken shelter in the homes in coastal areas of Alappuzha, Kollam etc for a longer time.
- Non tribal people do not get any help in Wayanad & they need to be helped
- Livelihood restoration, mainly Agriculture & animal husbandry rejuvenation
- Medical assistance to control the outbreak of possible epidemic
- Repair & reconstruction of the habitats of the affected
- Cleaning Kit & Cleaning support
- Drinking water for the entire affected area.
- Water purification system & pumps
- More Dress, household utensils & sanitation materials are required
- Help to repair the boat of those fishermen who were involved in rescue operation
- Management of collected waste
- Psycho- social support to the people
The presence of funding partners was significant;
- Caritas India team led by Fr. Paul Moonjely, Director and Fr. Jolly, Asst. Director
- Catholic Relief Services [CRS] team led by Mr. PM Jose
The funding partners developed their strategy to assist the DSSS in the rehabilitation mission.
Fr. Sebastian, President KCMS & Fr. Babu Kakkaniyil representing SVD congregation will support the DSSS with their resources & expertise.
Observations & opinions of following consultants & subject experts enriched the sitting;
- Mr. Sebastian TV, Consultant Caritas SWISS,
- Mr. Aloysius James, UN Consultant,
- Fr. Varghese Mattamana former Director, Caritas India
- Fr. Romance Antony, Disaster management expert
- Fr. Micheal Vettckat and Fr. Thomas Tharayil, Joint secretaries of JPD Commission, KCBC
- Mr. Cyriac Chazhikadan, member, KCYM & MIJARC
Plan of action:
Three major areas DSSS will focus on are:
- Shelter- reconstruction & repairs
- Livelihood restoration
- Health
- Standard Operating Procedures will be followed.
- Idukki based relief & rehabilitation initiatives are urgent
- A comprehensive approach in our intervention
- Proposed to start insurance for farmer’s crops.
- Counseling & service of Befriending team
- We shall associate with the Govt. in damage assessment & collecting data.
- DSSS will participate in all IAG for better Coordination of efforts
- Facilitate the good will of non-affected people & mobilize more internal resources
- A non affected parish will handhold a flood affected parish for the coming year.
- Follow the common guidelines from KSSF
- Documentation & maintain transparency in fund utilization.