Caritas India launched the 2nd Phase of EMPOWER Asia programme on 19th January 2023 for the selected Dioceses of West Bengal and Odisha, particularly on human resources and to build their capacities in responding to emergencies. The programme will be rolled out as a pilot with the support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

The launch and project briefing was conducted in hybrid mode with CRS and partner Diocesan Directors from Odisha and West Bengal along with Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Risk Reduction team. The launch was presided over by Fr. Paul, Executive Director (Caritas India), Mr. Senthil Kumar, Executive Director (CRS India), Ms. Babita Pinto, Head of Programmes (Caritas India), Mr. Kushal Neogy, Technical Advisor (CRS Asia), Mr. Neal Deles, EMPOWER Asia coordinator, Mr. Ananth K, Head Partnerships and Strategic relations (CRS), Ms. Kirthana Thanikal, MEAL Manager, 4 Diocesan Partner Directors Fr. Mrityunjay Digal Director of Catholic Charities, Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, Fr Lijo George Director Balasore Social Service Society, Fr. Saumen Malik Director Palli Unnayan Samiti, Baruipur and Fr Amit Mondol, Director, Krishnagar Cathedral Charitable Social Society.

“The humanitarian sector is going through an evolution today because of new challenges, problems, emergencies, alienation, and marginalisations. What is important is to develop and design humanitarian architecture which is contemporary and dynamic to answer the problem of today’s time,” said Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India. “We need the right attitude, systems and structure and enable everyone to respond fast, effectively meaningfully and sustainably.” He emphasised developing local leaders from the perspective of localisation.

The programme will provide techno-managerial support to the selected dioceses implementing various humanitarian services to the marginalised and vulnerable populations. The new approach will bring in high levels of efficiency and effectiveness, shrinks the need and strengthens resilience, build strong human resources for effective response and makes a role model for other partner organisations to learn and practise the changes.

Speaking at the launch, Executive Director (CRS India), Mr. Senthil Kumar shared the perspective behind EMPOWERING Asia to add value to the larger humanitarian response and the humanitarian community. The programme will live up to the grand bargain and charter of change. He shared the CRS approach towards building capacities of partner capacity building, institutional strengthening, and accompaniment.

Prof. Vinod Menon, founder member NDMA joined as a keynote speaker and shared his enriching views on developing local leadership through the empowerment of local organisations. He said that in many situations’ religion has become divisive and we should use religion as a unified force and hope that the work of EMPOWERING Asia will be inclusive, gender-sensitive and secular.

The EMPOWER Asia-Phase II poster was launched by Fr. Paul, ED and Babita Pinto, HoP (Caritas India) and virtually by Prof. Menon and Mr. Senthil Kumar, ED (CRS India). The launch was followed by technical sessions by Mr. Anjan Bag, Thematic Lead (Caritas India), Mr. Kushal Neogy, Ms. Jancy Mathew, Lead Manager Programme Finance (Caritas India) and Ms. Babita Pinto on the project briefing, finance, deliverables, and major action points to help envision the overall objective of the programme. The 3-hour session concluded with a vote of thanks to all the participating members, which helped the partners build a clear picture and understanding of the expected impact and vision of the programme.