Case Studies:1
Preparing tools to face the disaster
G. P. – Hizole
Block – Kandi
Village – Srikanthapur
Flood is a regular feature for Srikanthapur G.S. in Hizole G.P. Every year flood cause huge loss of crops and properties in this Gram Sansad. But in 2006, it was flooded for two times, in July and September respectively.
SPADE had done PLA exercise in this area on 27.05.06, and as a result of that exercise people have managed to save their livestock and properties during the flood at the month of July. At the end of the month Task Force Training was given to the community. The villagers had learnt how to make life jacket and Salti (local boat). During the second time flood, at September river embankment of the GS was collapsed and the area was totally inundated. That time they have managed to rescue their cattle and properties to higher place. Tanjila Bibi, a task force member of that village, kept fodder and other things at the rooftop of her house. But after few hours the roof was also under water. Tanjila and her husband removed the fodder to a higher place. The level of water is 9ft. high and they faced great trouble while shifting the materials. Then they had realized the necessity of Salti.
This year Tanjila Bibi’s husband went to Arab for earning livelihood. Therefore Tanjila has started preparing herself from the month of May. She had learned to prepare Salti (small boat made with Tin and bamboo) and raised fund to make her own Salti and life jacket. She is bearing the maximum portion of the cost to save her family and livestock from the upcoming natural calamity.
Case studies-2
Exemplary instance of a Task Force Member.
Village – Patikola
Gram Panchayet – Pukuria Block - Ratua II
District-Malda .
100 % population is from Muslim Community in this particular village. The livelihood is Marginal Farmers and daily wage labourers. Literacy rate is very Low. The village has a threat of flood every year. The Same Gram Sansad was under CBDP activity since 2005 and Total 26 People were trained for Task Force in that Gram Sansad.. One of the Task Force Member, Md. Ali son of Mofijuddin Ali, is a young and healthy boy of that village. Mofijuddin Ali, the father of that young boy was an Old religious man and wanted his son to be engaged in only in his own agricultural activities and education. The SSUP Field workers who used to do variety of social activities in that village inspired Md. Ali to involve such activities. His father did not allow him to come for Task Force Training in 2005. But he joined the Task Force Training with out his father’s intimation. When his father came to know that Ali had joined the training. Immediately he came and wanted him to take back home. The father told his son that this type of activities had no meaning and would not yield any result in favour of his benefit. The SSUP Staff talked him and explained the Objectives of CBDP and benefits of Community Participation for Disaster Preparedness. His son also tried to convince him by saying that this learning would help him to get experienced and might be helpful even for his own and his family. The Old man somehow allowed his son to continue the Training.
This time SSUP Field worker went for Linkage for Task Force Reorientation training to that Village on 17.07.07. One among very few who took more initiative was Md. Ali for Linkage and intimated that now his father did not oppose him for such activities. He accompanied the SSUP Staff and intimated Villagers including old TF members to join for the Task Force Orientation Training. The date for Task Force Orientation was fixed on 19/0707 at 0800 hrs.
SSUP Staff reached the site in time and found only eleven people were present. Unfortunately one person was died by electric short circuit in nearby village and all the people went there to see that. Also there was drizzling and people were little indifferent to come for the Programme. Md Ali was present there and assured to bring the concern people with in an hour. He and one old Task Force member Hasanur Jamman took cycles and brought the villagers for the Programme. The Programme started and continued with complete Process. The Pradhan of Pukuria GP also was present there.
Md. Ali came forward to assist for the Training Programme. He also took some Training form Civil Defence regarding disaster preparedness. He wanted to demonstrate what he learnt earlier. He was allowed to explain and demonstrate to the audience. Many of the team members forgot the procedures of their respective Task Force but Md. Ali remembered every thing and encouraged the other members. He also reiterated that he was earlier completely introverted and had fear in such activities. He got inspired from the social activities of SSUP and developed himself. The villagers and old Task Force members were surprised to see the change in Md Ali. Md. Ali set and example to the community that little interest and dedication can build a man in the right direction. The Task Force became enthusiastic and acknowledged to perform their task properly in future to fight disaster with community participation.
Case study - 3
“CBDP inspired advantaged to take care for disadvantaged”
Mr. Mirja Imdadul Islam, age about 45 years, inhabitant of Patua Loskor Pota ( Booth – 93/ 137) under the jurisdiction of Charghat Panchayet of Swarupnagar Block have made two temporary toilets in his own court yard for the flood victims usually take shelter during disaster.
Mr. Mirja Imdadul is an influential and rich person in the village. Their house land is the highest place in the village. During 2000 flood, 14 families made temporary shelter and stayed 20 days in their court-yard. Still he remembers the agony of people, who took shelter in their court-yard. According to him, “people specially women, old and children did not have any toilet facility, it was so dehumanized and shameful. Even epidemic took place in the area.” He could not forget the painful experience of the people.
He is a regular participant for CBDP and assists our animator and task force member to plan preparedness activities and motivate villagers to take active participation. He comes to know from our animators and task force members regarding the panchayet low cost sanitary scheme.
He approached Panchayet Pradhan along with task force members and requested to provide two low cost sanitary (toilet) materials for the flood victims, who usually take shelter in his court-yard. The Pradhan appreciated his noble thought and provided the same for early preparedness. The Task force members have made two toilets using the panchayet resources in his house land for the use of people during their disaster situation. According to Mr. Mirja Imdadul, “It is not me but CBDP has inspired me to think for the disadvantaged.”
Case Study - 4
We are enlightened at present on flood preparedness . . .
Sabita Haldar, living with her family in booth no. 77/55 at village Prangopalnagar in Bablari GP. She is also a member of a Self Help Group. They suffered from heavy loss during flood 2000 as the village is situated just near the riverbank of the Bhagirathi. After 2000 flood SPADE had done interventions in this area. The villagers were sensitized and received training on CBDP. Different informations were gathered about the village through PLA study. Resources were identified and Plan of Action prepared to mitigate the disaster. Task forces were formed to cope up with the situation. Sabita became a active member of Task Force to look after the WATSAN of her village.
The villagers along with housewives like Sabita became aware about the Disaster Preparedness. They started saving food, fodder, fuel and important documents as Family Survival Kit. The POA was submitted to the Gram Sansad. The attendance rate at the GS meetings has greatly increased and people started sharing their views regarding the local area development. During the last 2006 flood Sabita took shelter at Jahannagar High School with her family. During the flood at that time damage was much less and due to early warning reception of flood which gave us ample time to make the materials ready. This time as well, reorientation of the task force was organized. Sabita, kept the important papers in order and making a stock of dry foods and requesting other women to do the same.