Human life on earth is not the same everywhere in terms of peace, happiness, equality and socio-economic factors. Settling these concerns is not that easy, still, humans are in the process of finding solutions in different ways and methods. But, in the face of unexpected wars between countries, natural disasters and manmade disasters, everyone becomes helpless. In recent years the frequency of wars, natural disasters and man-made disasters increased exponentially at international and national levels. In these events, the role of volunteering played significant importance in alleviating the effects of disasters caused by war and natural calamities. Caritas India having volunteerism as one of its key pillars, considers it as a powerful and practical way to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of society. Caritas India makes efforts to promote volunteerism all over the country and opens platforms for youngsters in India to get to know what, why, and how Volunteerism should be. 

Caritas India is planning to build a sustainable volunteer foundation in 6 disaster-prone locations in the States of Kerala and Bihar, with the support of START Network. As part of this vision, a 2 days of residential training was organized for the selected 25 volunteers. It was intended to enhance awareness & knowledge of first responders about the concept of disaster management thereby enhancing preparedness & response at all levels (before, during & after a disaster). 25 volunteers each from these 6 locations were identified on set criteria. With these series of trainings, Caritas India aims to form a community of active volunteers who can deal with any disaster situations that may take place in future and in helping the communities to bring back to normalcy.

After the 2 days of residential trainings at 6 locations in Kerala, a reflection workshop was conducted at Cochin, in which 5 volunteers each from the 6 selected disaster-prone areas came together to reflect on the 2 days residential program at their respective places. The workshop was conducted on 14 and 15 of July 2022.

“The need of focusing on WASH and NUTRITION by the volunteers and a good awareness on these two important aspects by a volunteering group will be benefitted by the community as a whole,” said Dr.V.R Haridas from Caritas India while taking the first session. He has taken a sessionon WASH and Nutrition management while working in the face of disaster. The group discussion helped to reflect the WASH and Nutrition component based on the three questions WHY, WHAT, HOW in a disaster situation. The second session was led by Mr. Abeesh Antony and Mr. Dileesh capturing reflections of volunteers on the 2 days training program. 

The second day of the Workshop, Participants were divided into 5 mixed groups from different regions and they were given topics to discuss and present their reflections based on the training they were given at their own places, participants were encouraged to make critical and constructive evaluations on inputs they received during training. Five leaders from each group presented their reflections. The reflection mainly focused on the role of the Disaster Information Sharing Centre, training and mock drills, Basic Life Saving (BLS) training, convergence with government, disaster awareness to vulnerable sections, etc. 

The volunteers prepared a region-wise Disaster related Volunteering operational plan for the upcoming 6 months. The major action points were diocesan level meeting Director of social service society, formation of a core team, capacity building, zone-wise volunteer mobilisation, liasoning with a government department, a separate committee to monitor the volunteer groups within the diocese. 

George T A, a passionate volunteer attending the training said, “The reflection workshop has strengthened the idea of Volunteering in myself as it helped to get to know people from different areas of Kerala and their means and methods of DRR activities.”