Category: News

In a vibrant display of commitment to the promotion of inclusion of marginalized children, Caritas India, on 14 November 2023 under the Global Programme orchestrated lively Children's Day celebrations across five districts. The day holds immense significance nationally as it serves to celebrate the rights and well-being of children. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child also emphasize the importance of nurturing, protecting, and promoting the rights of every child.

Caritas India's "We4Resilience” Campaign under the Global Program launched in 2021, has been making significant strides in its mission to create resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-safe villages in nine districts of Bihar. As the campaign marks its two-year anniversary, it's essential to highlight the progress made and the valuable insights gained through extensive dialogues with various stakeholders, including community members, government representatives at different administrative levels, and civil society organizations.

Global Program took center stage as a powerful force for disaster resilience and community empowerment during the commemoration of "Odisha Disaster Preparedness Day." This poignant annual event, observed on October 29, stands as a solemn tribute to the tragic Super Cyclone of 1999, which inflicted a catastrophic toll, claiming the lives of over 10,000 individuals. Under the theme "Empowering Community for Resilient Odisha," the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and various Civil Society Organizations, including Inter Agency Groups (IAG), joined forces to mark this day in Bhubaneswar. The event featured a captivating exhibition area, where organizations had the opportunity to showcase their remarkable work.

A two-day Samvaad consultation on nutrition and food security, within the We4Resilience campaign, unfolded in Bhubaneswar on October 5th and 6th, 2023, drawing dignitaries from government bodies, civil society organizations, and global program partners. This pivotal consultation, attended virtually by Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India, showcased the Samvaad Program's commitment to fostering resilience against the impacts of global warming.

In a remarkable initiative aimed at addressing malnutrition among the most vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant/lactating women, Caritas India's Global Program NGO joined forces with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department to organize the POSHAN Mela 2023. This community-engaging event unfolded in Bissom Cuttack and Gudari block of Rayagada District from September 26th to 28th.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) is a global event that aims to promote the culture of disaster prevention and preparedness among people and communities. The theme of IDDR 2023 is “Fighting inequality for a resilient future”, which focuses on the inclusion of persons living with disabilities in disaster risk reduction efforts.

In a collaborative effort to enhance their mission of combating malnutrition and ensuring food security, the Caritas Global Program Team and the Sabal Team embarked on an exposure visit to Dharni in the Amravati district of Maharashtra. This visit, which took place from September 19th to September 21st, 2023, served as a vital platform for cross-learning and knowledge sharing among diverse groups of program management teams, field teams, volunteers, and community leaders. Representatives from various states, including Bihar, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh, came together for this educational exchange.

In a world where collaboration is key, the Global Program staff embarked on a transformative journey of team building and knowledge sharing. This three-day capacity-building workshop from 25th September 2023 – 27th September 2023 was attended by 23 staff at Don Bosco Management Institute, Guwahati, Assam has provided a platform for team members to unite, rekindle their collective purpose, and fortify the bonds that fuel impactful program outreach.

In the face of a changing climate and the ever-looming threat of natural disasters, the need for resilient infrastructure cannot be overstated. Bihar, one of the most disaster-prone regions in India, has been setting ambitious goals to ensure the safety and resilience of its infrastructure. As part of Bihar's Disaster Risk Reduction Road Map, the sixth pillar focuses on resilient critical infrastructure, with a clear objective: "Training of Engineers, Architects, Masons, etc., for safe construction of projects and buildings completed by 2030." This goal is not merely aspirational; it's a critical step toward reducing vulnerability and mitigating disaster risks in the region.

In the accounts of community resilience, a powerful narrative unfolded on August 8, 2023, along the tumultuous currents of the Koshi River at Nauj Bypass. This incident not only spotlighted the value of well-prepared task force members but also underscored the pivotal role of a community fortified by trained volunteers, a testament to the effectiveness of the Caritas India Global Program's mission to nurture robust communities and bolster the capabilities of first responders.