Pramod Paswan, Gautam, Pankaj, and Santosh are some of the leading names from Bihar who have been volunteering with us for several past disasters in Bihar. They have rendered their services right from Joint Rapid Need Assessment (JRNA) to Relief and recovery. These volunteers have exhibited their true selfless commitment to support the community in need.

All these volunteers are keen to learn and upscale their learning based on every increasing dynamic trend in disasters. So, this year, they have completed two days of training on Volunteer Service for Disaster Resilience under the Global Program banner on the 23rd and 24th of May 2023 at Sewa Kendra, Patna.

Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) mentions Bihar as a multi-disaster-prone state. People experience a variety of natural and human-caused catastrophes, including floods, drought, earthquakes, fires, cyclones (high-speed winds), road accidents, stampedes, epidemics, heat waves, cold waves, lightning, and landslides, among others. Hence it becomes necessary that communities are ready to respond during any disaster.

The training is part of the Global program objective to build community resilience, backed by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany) and Caritas Germany.

The training was designed to prepare volunteers with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively contribute to disaster response and recovery efforts in their respective villages. Thirty-six volunteers across six Global Program Partners societies partake in this training to upgrade their knowledge.

The training program encompassed various aspects related to disaster management, including disaster preparedness, PDRA, DRR terminology procedures, first aid and medical support, Early warning, and community engagement. The volunteers underwent rigorous training sessions conducted by experienced trainers and experts in the field of disaster management.

It has capacitated volunteers at different levels within the community to increase disaster resilience and provide support in accessing existing government schemes and services. Time and again our volunteers have proved their mettle by rendering their services in the most challenging times.

Sr. Deepika, the Director of Bihar Forum acknowledged the contributions and significance of volunteers by citing examples from Vedas and the Bible. She highlighted the crucial role played by volunteers in various emergencies.

Mr. Sushil Kumar, a state-level trainer with expertise in govt schemes, volunteering and Disaster management provided an in-depth understanding of volunteering and its various types. Volunteers learned how they can make a difference in sectors like health, community development, and environmental initiatives. Mr. Sushil also mentioned how volunteers are often visible during festivals and times of disasters, offering their assistance.

The participants brainstormed on the role of volunteers in disasters, the information required during floods to report to the government, and the process volunteers should follow to address disaster-related issues with the government.