Strengthening grassroots recovery in Wayanad through Safe Within Project

Caritas India strengthened community centred disaster recovery through a four day accompaniment support visit to Safe Within project partners in Kerala from 19 to 22 January 2026, reinforcing grassroots implementation, psychosocial care, and local preparedness systems for disaster affected families.

The visit covered four Diocesan Social Service Society partners, with one full day devoted to each organisation. It aimed to guide partner teams to align field implementation with the project’s core approaches while creating space for dialogue, reflection, and future planning. The accompaniment team included Fr. Benny Edayath, Assistant Executive Director, Caritas India; Dr. V. R. Haridas, National Programme Coordinator and Safe Within Project Lead; Mr. Abeesh Antony, Kerala State Programme Associate, Caritas India; and Mr. Sajo Joy, Project Coordinator, Kerala Social Service Forum. Their presence reflected the project’s foundation of solidarity and partnership.

Each visit opened with structured interactions with DSSS Directors and key project staff. Partners shared progress updates, operational challenges, and learnings from field engagement. Financial progress and planning were reviewed transparently, helping teams sharpen clarity on project direction and explore ways to strengthen activities in the coming months. “Accompaniment visits allow us to walk together, listen to one another, and build confidence so that the project reaches people with compassion and purpose,” Fr. Benny Edayath said.

Community Resource Centres, the backbone of the Safe Within Project, were a central focus. The team visited CRCs at each partner location to assess accessibility, visibility, and readiness to respond to community needs. Interactions with CRC teams highlighted how these spaces function as safe entry points for individuals seeking support during distress. “CRCs are not just physical spaces. They are places where people experience care, dignity, and reassurance in times of distress,” Dr. V. R. Haridas noted.

The visit also included meetings with members of the HEART Task Forces, attended by Task Force volunteers along with Grama Panchayat and ward representatives. Discussions centred on emergency preparedness, response coordination, and community mobilisation. Volunteers shared experiences from past emergencies, training needs, and ideas to sustain engagement. The exchanges reflected a strong sense of ownership and responsibility towards building local resilience.

A half day was dedicated to interaction and knowledge exchange with selected Befriending Volunteers, including those trained at NIMHANS and those yet to undergo formal training. Befriending plays a vital role in supporting individuals facing emotional distress after disasters. Through sharing sessions, role plays, and real life examples, trained volunteers demonstrated practical psychosocial support techniques, enabling peers to strengthen skills and confidence. “These visits connect training with practice and ensure care reaches people in a meaningful way,” said Mr. P. A. Jose from the project team.

Safe Within is a humanitarian initiative of Caritas India, implemented in partnership with the Kerala Social Service Forum and Diocesan Social Service Societies. It supports disaster affected communities in Kerala to rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence, with special attention to emotional, psychological, and social recovery alongside material relief. The project places people at the centre of all interventions.

The accompaniment support visit deepened partnerships, reinforced implementation clarity, and reaffirmed the community centred vision of Safe Within. By walking alongside partners, engaging with field structures, and encouraging shared learning, Caritas India underlined that sustainable recovery grows from presence, trust, and collaboration. Energy carried forward.