Community mobilisation for holistic development

Shah Muntamin Mujtaba and M Mizanur Rahman After the independence of Bangladesh, there was a huge flow of foreign aid for reconstructing the country. Since then, both the government and non-government sectors had largely been dependent on it. But availability of foreign aid harmed us in two ways -- the money was not properly used, and at the same time it destroyed the potentiality of our people. In order to free the nation from this disrespectful situation community mobilisation has become a very important issue these days as community initiated activities become sustainable and it also enhances their capacity to work. Community-based approach for disaster risk reduction is not new in Bangladesh. Mobilising the communities and bringing positive change is also not new. What is new is moving out from the periphery of disaster risk reduction and addressing regular problems through simple means. What is new is mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development. Here is a success story of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into development. The initiative was implemented in 33 villages of two upazilas of Faridpur district under National Alliance for Risk Reduction and Response Initiative (NARRI), a consortium of six NGOs with financial support from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection. By following community-based approaches for disaster risk reduction, participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment (PVCA) exercise worked as an interface to the local communities. After conducting a comprehensive problem analysis, Village levels Disaster Preparedness Committees (VDPC) were formed in each of the 33 villages. The committee members realised that enhancing resilience is all about working together. The collective initiatives resulted in preparation and implementation of risk reduction action plan. Recently, some char dwellers of Char Nasirpur, Char Harirumpur and Char Narikelbaria union of Faridpur district have taken such an initiative. Being detached from the mainland, people are deprived of basic communal services. What the community members have is small means of agro based livelihood strategies and social cohesion. Supporting each other in times of need, the char dwellers share the very essence of development with each other's happiness. Since livestock is one of the most valued assets of the char dwellers, proper animal husbandry also means survival for some of the families; for others it is an alternative or supplementary means of income. Though char areas offer much scope for livestock raring, monsoon flood and autumn bring chronic livestock diseases. With limited resources to spare and no vaccination support, the helpless livestock suffer a lot ultimately affecting valuable means of livelihood of the char dwellers. While conducting the PVCA exercise with the village disaster preparedness committees, it was clearly identified that there exists high correlation between flood and livestock diseases. Late autumn is, however, conducive to the livestock. Considering the seasonality of such hazards, early initiatives are required to save this valuable resource of the community people. This issue was also reflected in the risk reduction action plan of the respective community. During the pre-monsoon period, the issue for vaccination support was discussed among some VDPCs. They applied to the livestock officers of Char Bhadrasan and Sadarpur Upazilas of Faridpur district asking for vaccination support. Responding to their appeal, officers of both areas announced dates immediately for setting up vaccination camps in the char villages. Eventually 11 camps were organised in the area benefiting over 4,500 animals. With this small initiative, an essential service was made available to the char dwellers that cost the local government a paltry Tk 13,000. For this season at least, most of the animals will remain safe from foot and mouth diseases and no family will suffer due to under-priced selling or death of their precious livestock. The vaccination support worked as an inspiration for the VDPC members. It made them realise that small initiatives can cause big impact. The VDPC members then explored other areas that can bring emancipation for them. In doing so, they identified tree plantation as a means of reducing river erosion and diversifying livelihood opportunities. Post-monsoon period is the right time for tree plantation. Taking up the matter in the subsequent monthly meeting, application was submitted to upazila forest department for sapling support. The Forest Department responded promptly by sending them 1,100 saplings. The chairman of Char Nasirpur union also came forward with a helping hand and provided fencing support for the saplings. To get the maximum benefit, the saplings were planted in community places like flood shelters and local bazaars. This simple endeavour brought them support worth over Tk 25,000. NARRI is trying to promote these types of cooperation countrywide in order to reduce dependence on external agencies. It also brings confidence among the community people that they can solve their own problems. It encourages the people to be proactive and at the same time, it ensures the effective use of resources. The writers work in an NGO, and can be reached at email: mithunmds07@gmail.com)