Safe Within Project Launched in Thamarassery, Gains Momentum from Strategic Review

The Safe Within Reconnect Wayanad Vilangad project launched at COD Thamarassery, marking a key step in strengthening resilience for communities hit by landslides in Wayanad and Vilangad. As Caritas India’s second phase intervention, implemented with Kerala Social Service Forum (KSSF) and four partners, WSSS Mananthavady, COD Thamarassery, Shreyas Bathery, and Jeevana Calicut. The initiative focuses on long-term recovery through community empowerment, psychosocial support, and disaster preparedness beyond physical reconstruction.

His Excellency Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil of Thamarassery opened the event, stressing that effective recovery goes beyond rebuilding homes to restoring community strength, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. He highlighted psychosocial support as central to disaster response, noting emotional impacts often persist longer than physical damage, and praised Safe Within for building safer, more resilient communities. He commended Caritas India’s sustained partnership, particularly through projects like Vilangad Housing.

The programme started by Fr. Sayi Parankulangara, Director of COD Thamarassery, welcoming participants and underscored the need for such initiatives in landslide-prone regions, emphasizing ongoing support until communities achieve self-reliance. Mr. Abeesh Antony, Kerala State Programme Officer of Caritas India, outlined the project’s four pillars: Resilient Governance, Psychosocial Resilience, Livelihood Resilience, and Networking Resilience. He explained that community resilience develops through consistent, collective actions.

A key highlight was the inauguration of the Community Resource Centre (CRC) by Fr. Benny Edayath, Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India. He emphasized building community-led protection and response systems, positioning the CRC as a potential national model for disaster preparedness with affected families at its core. The CRC will function as a hub for vulnerability mapping, risk communication, HEART task force training, early warning systems, psychosocial services, livelihood support, and capacity-building activities.

Fr. Jacob Mavunkal, Director of KSSF, delivered the keynote address, stressing collaborative action and integrating psychosocial support across disaster interventions: “When agencies unite, their strength becomes the strength of the people we serve.” Felicitations from Msgr. Joice Vayalil, Mr. Sajo Joy, and Mr. Joy K. C. recognized the coordinated efforts to create self-reliant communities. Mr. Sidharth S. Nath, Project Officer at COD Thamarassery, gave thanks, appreciating Caritas India and all partners.

This launch was followed by a project review meeting on November 29, 2025, at Shreyas Bathery, where Caritas India representatives and the four DSSS partners assessed progress and planned next steps. Dr. V. R. Haridas, Project Lead, opened by reaffirming core values of sincerity, reliability, integrity, accessibility, connectivity, and simplicity to ensure practical support for vulnerable families. Mr. Abeesh Antony reviewed achievements including the state-level launch, induction training, capacity-building, documentation improvements, and partner progress: “The strength of this project is its people—our partners, coordinators, and community members. Their dedication makes Safe Within a growing model for community-based disaster preparedness”.

Partner coordinators shared updates on strengthened community networks, CRC establishment with enhanced visibility, HEART Task Force formation (Humanitarian Emergency Aid Response Team—Hope, Empathy, Action, Resilience, Togetherness), and field-level gains. Fr. Benny Edayath praised the teamwork: “Safe Within is not just a project; it is a commitment with the community, for the community, and ultimately for the nation.” He noted review meetings enable learning and more effective implementation.

The meeting outlined priorities: completing baseline surveys by December 22, mapping vulnerable locations with GPDP input, initiating PDRA processes, selecting schools for disaster risk reduction programmes, activating HEART teams, strengthening Village Disaster Management Committees, energizing CRCs, improving documentation, Christmas-season local fundraising, and advancing psychosocial care. Additional plans include HEART T-shirts and maroon logo design, MoUs with Panchayats, regular DDMA/DOC coordination, IAG forum participation, and a monthly partner newsletter.

Through this launch and review, Safe Within demonstrates effective community-driven disaster resilience and coordinated development action.