Caritas, Guwahati : 17 – 19 June 2010 - Caritas India organised the 6th DIPECHO Partner’s meeting and Field Visit in Assam. There were around 20 representatives from 10 different organisations who are implementing Disaster Preparedness programmes with the support of ECHO, Delhi along with Talha Jamal of ECHO Delhi.
Mr Jude Henriques, Project Manager, Caritas CFDP project, gave an overview of the CFDP project in Assam. A book containing the salient features of the programme , reports of meetings and workshops, case studies, GIS maps etc., were given to each of the participants. Participants from all the agencies visited Dighalbori Gaon Panchayat in Morigaon district. A meeting was arranged with all the villagers and the Panchayath representatives including president and the secretaries of all the DIPECHO programme villages had gathered and shared their experiences, impact of the project , achievements, cooperation with Government Departments.
An exhibition of the different CFDP activities and live CFDP demonstrations were organised in the premises of the Panchayat. The villagers were quite enthusiastic to share their learning and show all the preparedness practices which they are practicing. The visit was very well arranged and all appreciated the same. A meeting was also arranged in Assam State Staff Training Institute with Secretary Disaster Management, Government of Assam, UNDP State Disaster Management Officer and officers from UNDP, Assam. It was an interactive session. The Secretary and the State Disaster Management Officer, UNDP paid attention to all the participants and clarified their queries.
The Review Meeting was held on the 19th at NEDSF. All the participants shared their feedback, comments and recommendations. The feedback was mostly positive and encouraging. The participants shared about the progress in their respective areas and their future plans.
We had also discussions with Talha of ECHO Delhi after the formal meeting. He shared his feedback after his visit to the programme villages prior to the review meeting. It was mostly positive. There was also discussion regarding the future support. The next call for proposal is likely to come by the end of September or early October.
On behalf of everyone Marin extended her thanks to Caritas India for organizing this inspiring meeting.
Mr Sunil from CARITAS India thanked the DIPECHO partners for attending the meeting and have appreciated their comments and inputs.
-Sunil Mammen