Link : Humanitarian Agencies & Disaster Response
The response of Caritas India to major national disasters was immediate considering the speed with which it reached relief assistance to the victims. In almost every major natural calamity of the past few decades, Caritas India and its local partners were among the first reach the disaster spot with relief material.
Rescue and relief operations are only the primary stage of assistance to disaster victims. Caritas India takes up the next level--rehabilitation--with serious commitments. Its programs always take a participatory approach and are executed in collaboration with local governments. This approach ensures that the disaster response leads to long term development of the affected communities.
The following were the landmarks in disaster response in the history of Caritas India
* Bangladesh Refugee Relief in 1970s,
* Maharashtra Earthquake Rehabilitation (1993 - 1998)
* Andhra Pradesh Cyclone Relief & Rehabilitation (1996 - 1998)
* Orissa Super Cyclone Relief and Rehabilitation (1999 - 2003)
* Gujarat Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation (2001 onwards).
Pro-Active Approach
Caritas India believes that proper management of natural resources and conservation of environment would serve the Indian poor better than any other method of help. The Environmental Management Policy of Caritas India framed in 1995 clarifies this idea thus: "The poor can be served better by proper management of environment rather than by relief and rehabilitation measures carried out after natural disasters arising out of mismanagement of the environment."
Caritas India extends support to community based disaster preparedness, watershed management and other people-centered and environment-related projects that conserve natural resources as well as bio-diversity.
Institutionalization of Sphere Standard
Caritas India is one of the pilot agencies promoting Sphere Standard in disaster management.
Sphere Project was launched by a group of NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in 1997. It sets a minimum standard in disaster response based on humanitarian charter.
The standard is based on two core principles. Firstly, all possible efforts should made to alleviate human suffering arising out of a calamity. Secondly, those affected by disasters have a right live with dignity, and hence a right to get assistance.
Caritas India, which since inception respected the dignity of the human person, aims at executing its disaster management programs by fostering the dignity of the victimized people. Caritas is committed to institutionalizing Sphere Standard in disaster response.