Odisha Chapter of the BMZ Global Program India was launched by Mr Gyan Ranjan Das, District Collector of Bhadrak District of Odisha on 30^th June 2021. The event was organized in the presence of Mr Arun Mohapatra, ADM-Emergency, Ms. Manorama Jally, Deputy Collector-Emergency Officer, Fr. Lijo, Director of BSSS, Staff of Caritas India, and local partner, Balasore Social Service Society (BSSS). During the inaugural session Mr. Chanrda Shekhar Panda, Program Officer of BSSS welcomed the district collector and all-district level stakeholders for the inaugural workshop.

It is one of the important programs of Caritas India funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Government of Germany, and Caritas Germany to build resilience to natural calamities, enhance nutrition and food security, social inclusion, and strengthening civil society learning of the marginalized population of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Mr. John William, Program Coordinator of BSSS, and Ms Kalika of Caritas India presented the BMZ Global Programme India and shared the program components with the collector. The issues of vulnerable areas that are prone to waterlog, storm surge, backwater problems, and poor access to safe drinking water were discussed and highlighted during the meeting.

“The District Administration will coordinate with all line departments of the district for demonstration of community resilience, model demonstration of disaster resilience agriculture, and non-agricultural practices,” assured the District Collector. He appreciated the initiatives taken by Caritas India and BSSS for the vulnerable groups and assured that their entire district administration will extend the necessary cooperation. BSSS was requested to engage with the Livelihood Mission of Odisha for any livelihood promotion in the disaster-prone areas. Regarding the promotion of alternate livelihood, the team could coordinate with the district farmers’ federation in terms of livelihood mapping and working with the vulnerable communities.

The District Collector also advised the team to closely coordinate with all the relevant government line departments of the district for any support and cooperation.

Finally, Father Lijo, the Director of BSSS thanked the District Collector, District Authorities, Ms Kalika, Caritas India, and all stakeholders for their time, participation, and inputs during the workshop.