RISK COMMUNICATION and COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (RCCE) which started in July and was completed in December 2021 was a very hectic but a learning intervention for the team of Caritas India, CRS, Partners and Caritas Samaritans (Volunteers) as this was a noval programme completely through virtual platform driven by Volunteers with the rural communities.  The closing ceremony had been organised on 28th January 2022 through a virtual platform. Rev Fr. Jolly graciously welcomed His Eminence and thanked him for his valuable time and for gracing the occasion. He also welcomed Most Rev. Archbishop Sabastian Kallpura, Chairman, Caritas India who has always been there through thin and thin guiding and mentoring Caritas India. He welcomed Most Rev Bishop Thomas Aquinas for his time and support. He extended his welcome to all the Regional Fora Directors, Diocesan Directors, Co-ordinators, Volunteers, CRS Team and Caritas Team while also appreciating everyone.

Rev. Fr. Paul Moonjely, shared about the uniqueness of the RCCE programme.  He expressed that this RCCE is a special programme with a focus on CAB, which is a different word meaning Covid Appropriate Behavior. He shared that his programme which focused on CAB has now transformed into BCCE (Behavioural Change Communication and Education) which is now to remain and be sustained.   He emphasized the huge Volunteers forces that have been mobilised through the RCCE programme and many of them have the knowledge and skills, who will now be the Volunteer leaders and they have become a force and human resources to reckoned with in the days to come. Caritas and CRS will continue to remain connected and contribute to its sustenance.  He thanks his eminence for his mentorship and Most Rev. Sabastian Kallupura, Senthil and CRS team, partner directors, Staff and Volunteers and CI staff.

Mr. Senthil Gurunathan in his sharing of Success expressed that through RCCE Volunteer leaders have emerged, and Volunteers pool is formed with active 8192 Volunteers who had been able to reach out to as many as 32,26,178 households and a population of 16,130,890 (1.6 Crore or 16 + Million- Indian population). Volunteers were able to reach out repeatedly to the households.    Overall, this intervention has achieved good results and is much appreciated by all involved. He thanked His Eminence, Caritas Management team, Regional Fora Directors, Staff, DSSSs partners, Volunteers and communities. Through this programme, many people have imbibed Covid appropriate behaviour and practice.

The event was graced by His eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, President CBCI. His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, in his presidential address, appreciated Caritas India and CRS for the tremendous work done in the country in general and RCCE in particular during this Pandemic.  He applauded the joint intervention of the RCCE programme as part of the Covid response in a very creative way. He emphasized saying that such intervention, had it not been for the joint intervention and collaboration, would not have been a fruitful intervention. He said that Caritas India needs CRS and CRS needs Caritas India for reaching out to those most in need of that magnitude. He appreciated all those involved in this intervention and wish them well.

His Excellency Archbishop Sabastian Kallupura, Chairman Caritas India, in his address highlighted some of the important milestones in terms of volunteers engaged and household and population reached out through the RCCE programme. He appreciated Caritas India Management (Fr. Paul, Moonjely, Fr, Jolly and Fr Modi) and CRS management team, Partners and all the staff and Volunteers engaged in it.

His Excellency, Bishop Thomas Aquinas, Bishop of Coimbatore is his response expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the work Caritas India and CRS do and for undertaking the RCCE programme. Through the RCCE programme, TASSOS has been able to connect with all partners mobilised Volunteers to reach out to lakhs of people and educate them on COVID, thus helping them prevent themselves from Covid

On behalf of the Regional Fora, Rev. Fr. Parimal Kanji, Regional Forum Director ABCD, gave a response expressing how challenging initially when the RCCE programme was initiated and slowly in the process of implementation, things got eased out with strong accompaniment from Caritas India and CRS and commitment of all partners and hard work and sacrifice of the Caritas Samaritan/Volunteers.

The best performers (partners) were named and awarded with appreciation under different parameters and most of the Regional won the award either multiple or single award.

The open session was facilitated by Kushal and many Regional Fora Directors expressed their gratitude to Caritas India and CRS teams and all the staff, volunteers and communities. They also expressed the need for an appreciation certificate for all staff working on the RCCE programme

The programme ended with a Vote of thanks proposed by Mr Ghanshyamji, beginning with expressing his gratitude to His Eminence Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Caritas Chairman, Archbishop Sabastian, Bishop, Most Rev Bishop Thomas Aquinas, Caritas Management Team, Senthil, CEO CRS and team, Partners Directors, Staff, Volunteers, Caritas India team.