Preface: Flash Flood Response and Livelihoods Restoration in Nabarangpur

2010 11 HIG 285/K 5/kalinga Vihar, Patrapada post, Bhubaneswar 751019 Email udyama.pradeep@ @gmail.com/ www.udyama.org, Phone/fax: 06742475656,Cell 09437110892, Annual Activity Report

Preface: The year 2010 11 was a period of challenging, varied actions and learning. During the reporting period, UDYAMA implemented different programmes directly and in partnership with other organizations on development and humanitarian corridors related issues. It is in this context, the organization position itself as a facilitating, partnering and development support organization. Odisha is continuously under climatic chaos impacting the lives and livelihood of the rural poor and disadvantaged communities manifold. Looking at vulnerability of rural poor to food insecurity, disasters and other vulnerabilities, UDYAMA immediately responded to flash flood situation that occurred in Nabarangpur district. Along with relief interventions efforts has also been undertaken to rebuild the livelihoods of flood affected families in one of the worst flood affected Panchayat in the district. Distress migration, food and livelihood in security and environmental sustainability count among the key challenges in development arena existing locally as well as globally. During 2010 11, the organization adopted the strategy of facilitating wider partnership and collaboration to work on these issues for broad based impacts. Udyama created greater integration and citizen s action at different level to mitigate the susceptibility and adapt to vulnerability by undertaking the emerging programmes: Flash Flood Response and Livelihoods Restoration in Nabarangpur Accelerating Economic Empowerment of Distressed Migrants through Employable Skill Development in Odisha Demonstrating community capacity to manage community disaster resilience fund (CDRF) Minimizing Adverse Impacts on Lives and Livelihoods during Distressed Migration Ultra Poor Migrant Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Capitalizing mainstream resources (MGNREGS) to impact livelihoods of poor a network initiative in Orissa Green Energy and End Poverty towards Climate Change Adaptation: a pilot in Titlagada, Bolangir district with support from Green Energy and End Poverty, Germany Low carbon & gearing green initiatives & Inclusion of ICT as an ally to Development 2

The organization has been successful in forging active alliance with several networks like UN Global Compact, Global Network for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change, Global Water Partnership Sri Lanka, UN Climate Caucus, Global End Water Poverty, Climate Justice, NGOgateway, WASH forum NAADRR, CDRN, SPHERE India, Susan A Germany. During 2010 11, UDYAMA was honoured by Damodar Smruti Parishad, Nayagada for its contribution in good work in environment. It also got accredited as one of the Accredited Vocational Institutions and Special Accredited Institution for Education of the Disadvantaged (SAIED) with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) New Delhi. Further, UDYAMA was conferred the United Nations Economic and Social Consultative Status (UNECOSOC) SAMHITA. With this, the organization is now considered as one of a participating members in Water and Climate Coalition managed by Stakeholders forum and Global Network for Disaster Risk Reduction. We take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Community Disaster Resilient Groups especially the women groups who extended a helping hand to the flood affected families, communities of Bolangir, Nuapada, Nawrangpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Cuttack, Balasore, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Kalahandi and Kondhmal for extending emotional support, cooperation and contribution to make program success. We are thankful to Sir Dorabji Tata Trust Mumbai, Jamsetji Tata Trust Mumbai; FVTRS, Bangalore; SSP/Groot International; Green Energy and End Poverty, CDDMAS; IRGSSA; RTI Coalition, CEE, DEF and other forums for their contribution to reach the unreached with a scale. Our sincere thanks are due to all our Partner NGOs and Government Officials, BDOs and line department officials for their support and cooperation. We expect continued support from each one of you to meet the challenges in days ahead. UDYAMA strongly believes that together we can do a lot in addressing the issues of poverty, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Minimizing Distressed Migration and Climate Change vulnerability. Namaste. Pradeep Mohapatra, Secretary and Team leader 3

Flash Flood Response and Livelihoods Restoration in Nabarangpur Flash flood response and livelihood restoration programme was initiated in response to flood that occurred in August 2010 affecting Nawrangpur district of the state. This district had never before witnessed such a huge flash flood that experienced flood water of height 6 10 feet from Vaskel river. 71 villages and around 10,000 households were reported to be affected in the flood. Relief Initiatives With an aim to provide shelter and address the food and nutrition security of the affected households, this programme was implemented with 1000 households in Balenga Gram Panchayat of Koshagumudablock of Nawrangpur district. Support extended to local community: - 164 households from Balenga, Sindhibhata and Dakribhata villages provided with roof materials i.e. asbestos to have permanent roof structure - 1117 households extended seed support for undertaking vegetable cultivation and to have nutritional security and additional 1000 households indirectly addressed - On site training provided to the community to access their requirements and to generate interest to undertake horticulture and vegetable cultivation Local community led the beneficiary selection process. The project had substantial community contribution particularly in carrying out activities like debris cleaning, leveling, and erection of pillars and reconstruction of damaged houses upto roof structure. Also, the local administration was informed about the project initiatives and the field developments were shared with them on regular basis. 4

Livelihood Restoration Initiatives To restore and strengthen household livelihoods and local resilience activities focusing on food and nutrition security and community level institution building were implemented. The involvement of villagers as individual and as community has been overwhelming. People are also very enthusiastic about micro level planning and extending their active participation in the process. Active cooperation was received from the block and district administration as well as from Agriculture Department. The Director, Agriculture Department has recommended to include the village under Famer s Field School ( FFS) program run by the Government. Initiatives undertaken: Livelihood Resilience Community level institutions grooming Training and Life skill Development Networking & Alliance building with other NGOs and CBOs - Livelihood restoration - Employment generation - Reclamation of land and community ponds - Renovation of community tanks and sand casting - Promotion of water conservation, crop intensification, development of animal resources at community and individual level - Creation of community productive assets - Preparedness on disaster mitigation, vulnerability mapping, development of village contingent and micro plans development - Community level Micro planning to address droughts and disasters - Building of community safety nets (grain, water, seed and fuel banks) - Promotion of Women groups and Farmers clubs - Skill based training - Income and entrepreneurships promotion - Value chain promotion - Community preparedness sensitization to tackle the disasters - Sustainable agriculture practices with an emphasis on organic farming and SRI - Advocacy to pool mainstream resources and undertake MLP - Access Govt. programmes like MGNREGS, OFSDP, NRHM, Livelihoods Mission - Resource conservation and Micro insurance Promotion 5

Key outputs and outcomes: The above activities have resulted in delivering the following outputs and outcomes 1. Emergence of vibrant community institutions: 12 village development committees, 10 women SHGs and 14 farmer clubs formed and actively engaged in addressing varied issues 2. 10 community ponds renovated/restored 3. 6267 person days work generated 4. 88 acres of land freed from sand siltation benefiting 179 farmers. A majority of the farmers are tribals (159 ST farmers) followed by SC farmers 15 and 5 farmers belonging to OBC category. 5. A total of 334 farmers have got benefited belonging to ST, SC and OBC categories (ST 249, SC 45 and OBC 40; Marginal Farmers 248 and Small Farmers 86). Contribution and Committee Compassion: A Case of Sunadhar Mirgan Sunadhar Mirgan, a resident of Balenga village located in Kosagumuda Block of Nabarangpur district earns his livelihood primarily from one acre of land, the only asset under his possession. He has four sons and one daughter, all got separated after their marriage. He was under high depression and totally clueless about what to do after the heavy flood of 2011 which completely destroyed his paddy field. Not a single crop plant could be saved. At this time the VDC (village development committee) constituted as a result of the project interventions came to his rescue. After being informed about the committee and the benefits people getting from this institution, Mirgan approached the committee. He became an active member of the committee and took 30 Kgs of paddy seed. In return he agreed to rework on his field along with his wife to remove sand deposited by contributing their labour. Now the land is ready for next kharif paddy cultivation 6

Accelerating Economic Empowerment of Distressed Migrants through Skill Development in Odisha Despite of implementation of several development schemes and programmes vulnerability of people to migration is increasing unabated in Western Odisha. The key reason being the factors propelling migration has not been understood properly and the interventions undertaken in the past has failed to target the vulnerability and opportunity factors of migration. Further, there is no opportunity to obtain skill training for the drop outs and illiterate youths who form a major chunk of migrant population. With the support of Functional Vocational Training and Research Society (FVTRS), Bangalore the project named Accelerating Economic Empowerment through Skill Development and addressing distress and opportunity in Migration in Odisha was implemented with an aim to minimize the adverse impact of distress migration and create a space to accelerate the capability of migrants to enhance better bargaining ability as skilled laborers accessing and availing entitlements. Imparting viable skill training on local trades like masonry, carpentry, mechanic and tailoring was undertaken as a strategy of the project. The trades were identified in a participatory manner involving the local community. During the reporting period in total 198 persons were imparted training on their respective interest area. Further, with the support of FVTRS UDYAMA got affiliated as one of the Accredited Vocational Institutions and Special Accredited Institution for Education of the disadvantaged (SAIED) with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) NOIDA, U.P.. Petu Bhatra aged 25 years and Jagdu Barik aged 30 years from Titlagarh worked as wage labourer under a construction contractor. Their daily earning was hardly Rs. 60 70 which was not enough to meet their family needs. Few months back they joined the mason training imparted by UDYAMA with an expectation to earn more income. After having successfully completing the training they were treated as 2 nd class mason by the same contractor and were offered Rs. 130 140 per day. The training led to enhancement of skill and confidence within them. They are now able to bargain for increased wage and earn around Rs. 200 250 per day. 7

Demonstrating community capacity to manage community disaster resilience fund (CDRF) Udyama is committed towards addressing the issues of disasters. As a strategy it has undertaken promoting community resilience to reduce disaster risks. The organization took initiatives to facilitate formation of community disaster resilient fund (CDRF) on pilot basis in four districts viz, Balasore, Kendrapada, Cuttack and Mayurbhanj with the support of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction (NADRR). The main purpose of the CDRF was to demonstrate community led initiatives in DRR; initiatives that were designed by communities and which enabled them to increase their awareness of their vulnerabilities and to address these vulnerabilities through collective risk mapping, identification of priorities, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation that leads to at risk community adaptation. CDRF is a national program operational in eight states of the country. Orissa was chosen as one of the operational states for reoccurrence of disasters and increased vulnerability. Disaster Risk Reduction programming was one of the key recommendations that emerged from From National Frameworks to Local Action workshop organized by ProVention Consortium, GROOTS International and Huairou Commission at the First Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva in June 2007. Udyama functioned as the nodal organization to facilitate implementation of the programme in Odisha. The programme was implemented in collaboration with Swayam Sikhyama Prayog (SPP) Maharastra, funded by Groots International, Huaru Commission, and UN ISDR and a network of local Partner NGOs who in turn works in close association with women, Self Help groups, Panchayati Raj Institutions and community leaders with the following objectives: To develop capacities at community level to identify and reduce risks through linkage with development programs To enhance understanding on impact of community resources, resilience initiatives by doing action research, monitoring and impact studies To upstream lessons and leverage resources and partnerships for community led disaster resilience priorities. The uniqueness of this programme is that women played a lead role in the process. More than 400 women from four districts were oriented on disaster resilience by facilitating learning exchanges on CDRF and participatory resilience mapping. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities like coastal plantation, drain repairing, increasing height of tube well platform, first aid boxes etc. were undertaken at community level. Communities were encouraged to undertake income generation activities with DRR like small vending, rice processing, Cashew plantation, pond fish cultivation, SRI, processing of cow dung etc. from the CDR fund and income earned was used in carrying out development works in the village. Though initially the idea was to promote CDRF concept in 12 Gram Panchayats in 4 districts but it reached out to 52 Gram Panchayats through active engagement of 30 CBOs in Cuttack, Kendrapada, Balesore, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada, Bolangir and Keonjhar Districts. 8

Minimizing Adverse Impacts on Lives and Livelihoods during Distressed Migration Bolangir, a part of KBK (Kalahandi Bolangir Koraput) is one of the high distress migration areas followed by one of the drought prone and poorest districts in the country. The situation in Bolangir district is particularly worst in relation to wage and employment generation. Landless agriculture workers and marginal farmers are affected the most in drought situation due to erratic monsoon behavior and fluctuation climatic variations combined with temperature hot spot. People migrate out with their families to brick Kilns in Andhra Pradesh, the carpet industry in Uttar Pradesh, construction sites in Maharashtra, for rickshaw pulling in Chattisgarh and as laborer to Gujarat. While the elders migrate out due to poverty and debt, they drag out their school going children, forcing them to drop out from basic education. The migration project was implemented in 58 villages of 9 GPs in Titlagarh and Bangamunda blocks of Bolangir District. Activities like baseline survey to make an assessment of degree of migration in the region, registration of migrants, issuing identity card to migrants, orientation meetings with the migrants on safe migration and their rights etc. were undertaken under the project. So far, 634 cards has been issued to the migrants in 2 project blocks. Community education to enhance access to information Informed communities have a better grip to take advantage of opportunities, access services, exercise rights and entitlements to grab opportunities. Considering this reality efforts have been undertaken to generate user level awareness and knowledge on government welfare schemes and programmes, registration, ID Card, vocational training for rehabilitation and relevance of Migrants Resource Centre (Sramik Sahayata Suchana Kendra). Besides, the migrant population the other actors roped in the process included anganwadi workers, school teachers, Block Development Official (BDO) and ward members of both the Blocks. Campaign on enrollment of migrants in Census 2011 Udyama organized campaign on enrollment of distressed migrants of Bangamunda and Titlagarh Blocks residing at source and destination points in Census 2011. Rallies, leaflets and pamphlets were distributed at Panchayat and Block level meetings which were organized to sensitize the migrants as well as non migrant s families. The participants were youth, women SHGs, farmer groups, CBOs and PRI members. Stall on information communication on Sramik Sahayata O Suchana Kendra During Maha Shiva Ratri, a local popular festival a stall was opened in Titlagarh by Udyama to sensitize the migrants on importance of registration and Migration Resource Centre (Sramik Sahayata O Suchana Kendra) by distributing leaflets and pamphlets. 9

Panyachayat level orientation workshops: The GP level workshop on Migration and Rehabilitation was held at Kholan Panchayat of Titlagarh Block in July 2011. The workshop was organized by UDYAMA,(Sramik Sahayata O Suchana Kendra, Titlagarh). 80 migrant labourers from four Panchayats viz. Kholan, Naren, Ghodar and Sihini participated. Deliberations were held on importance and significance of registration, utility of migration identify card, procedure and need of life skill development training, legal provisions and entitlements due to the migrants. The Sarpanchas of Kholan and Naren Gram Panchayats encouraged the migrants to register themselves with Migration Resource Centre (Sramik Sahayata O Suchana Kendra) before going out for work and also distributed identity cards to the assembled migrants. Block level workshop (Advocacy Workshop) A Block level workshop on Migration and Rehabilitation was organized at Ranipur Jharial. The programme was attended by around 70 migrant families from 5 GPs of Bangamunda Block viz.. Alanda, Jharial, Themra, Arsatula, Mundpadar and was organized By UDYAMA, (Sramik Sahayata Kendra, Sindheikela). The Sarpanch of Mundpadar, Jharial, Arsatula encouraged the participants to register their name before migrating to destination. Deliberations were also held on the importance and significance of registration and utility of migrant identiy card, procedures and need of life skill development training. Mr Sridhar (Advocate) delivered on legal provisions for the migrants. The participating labourers expressed their cooperation and involvement in the registration and household survey process. Capacity building of facilitators on format filling and meeting preparation: Training to develop understanding of the staff on filling up survey formats and registration procedure was conducted. The participants were also oriented on how to mobilize and communicate with the migrants and their families, holding meetings, interaction with village leaders and PRI members on migration issue and safe migration etc. Exposure visit: An orientation workshop was organized by Ajeevikas Bureau (Migration Resource Centre) at Udaipur, Rajasthan during 8 th 9 th of March 2011.. The programme brought learning on aspects like registration of ID Card, management of MIS (Migration Information System) etc. The programme also facilitated good interaction between the partners from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and provided a platform to learn from the experience sharing of migration project implementing organization. The programme enriched the staff with knowledge on different aspects of migration. The exposure visit brought in confidence within the staff to implement the project in a more better and effective way. 10

The project resulted in following outcomes during the reporting period: Awareness created among the migrants regarding their registration and concern of rehabilitation. The importance of Identity card and Identity Proof in the destination are felt by the migrants. It helped them to move confidently to outside for employment. Govt. officials sensitized on different dimensions of migration The ID cards, Registration system are appreciated by Govt. Administrator and PR representatives like the Sarpanchas Many migrants have understood about their rights and entitlements, legal provision The message of registration and Identity Card strengthened their moral level at destination People are interested to learn more about skill development training like driving, mobile repairing, motor cycle, tailoring The programme brought unity among the migrants and specially trade wise to bargain and raise voice against the exploiters at source and at destination to get the right wages Advocacy through Panchayat and Block level workshops enhanced the spirit of migrants to demand work to the Panchayat and Block Officials during lean season Dhableswar Rana aged about 25 years hails from Tankarupada village of Titlagarh Block. For last 6 years he used to migrate to Mumbai every year to work as a construction labour on a meagre wage of Rs. 150 per day. However, his story doesn t end here. He has to face several other difficulties like delayed payment, less payment etc. One day he along with his friend was caught by a local police and was asked for identity card. As they didn t possess an identity card they were compelled to pay Rs. 300 fine to prevent themselves from being locked up. Having witnessed this incident when he came to know about the Migration Resource Centre, he along with his friend approached the centre to receive the Migrant ID card. With the help of Sramik Mitra Kendra (Migration Resource Centre) facilitated by UDYAMA both of them got identity card which has increased confidence within them. 11

Ultra Poor Migrant Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion This activity aimed to cover particularly the ultra poor families who migrates every year and come back in distress considered as economic challenged. AS distress migration is increasing due to non availability of employment locally or falling in debt trap, vulnerability of people is also going up. Under such situation, inclusion of family under micro insurance helps to minimize life and health risks of all the members during, within and after the incident/accident. Specific capacity building programs surrounding on farm and off farm to create employment for youths, interstate collaborating initiatives to address the issues of women and children at destination relating to livelihoods, safe water, nutrition, health, sanitation and education of children of migrant families are included in this programme to ensure safe migration. Networking and Partnership : accessing MGNREGS and mainstream resources towards community resilience The project Capitalizing mainstream resources (MGNREGS) to impact livelihoods of poor a network initiative in Orissa emerged as a timely intervention to capacitate the marginalized and vulnerable community to identify the developmental schemes, learn more about the schemes and practice the approaches to access, to pool and leverage these schemes for their livelihood security and social welfare. This was a three years project which began in 2008 and continued till 2011 and was all about furthering lasting improvement in quality of life and a tangible reduction in distress migration of poor families and economic excludes. It was implemented in 308 villages spread over in 52 Gram Panchayats of four districts namely, Bolangir, Nuapada, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar in partnership with 20 Organisations (consortium approach) with an objective to leverage resources to impact the livelihoods of the poor. The project made a sincere effort to summarize all ongoing developmental schemes and make community aware with simplified and easily understood steps to access, to pool and leverage these 12

schemes for their livelihood security and social welfare. Synchronously, an improved management of climate variability has direct synergies with sustainability of livelihood and other developmental interventions to address hunger and poverty, including production and productivity, forestation, soil fertility management, small scale water management, markets and extension and communication systems. The project tried its best to generate user level awareness and knowledge on their problems, urge for an action and demand for a changed behavior of the government and community to improve on the situation. This was hence a step ahead for informing, equipping and handholding the vulnerable groups in the community to identify the schemes intended to solve their problem, learn more on the schemes and practice the approaches to access the intended benefits and nurturing the nature to address climate change and variability. The project primarily aimed at forging convergence with pro poor development schemes and programmes such as, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), National Bamboo Mission and National Water and Sanitation Mission. The key areas focused in the project were: Convergence and accessing schemes for Survival Security (addressing poverty, health problems especially of women and child, absorption of distress migration, employment generation at community level) Convergence and accessing schemes for Social Security (access and avail to social security programs for all sections, village safety nets and productive assets creation integrating ongoing development programs, grooming community level institutions and community empowerment and entitlement process, inclusion of social exclusion, demand driven work generate for community infrastructures Convergence and accessing schemes for Financial security (Group initiatives, small business development initiatives, micro linkages with intermediary institutions for vending, capacity building and economic activity) Convergence and accessing schemes for Environmental sustainability (energy plantations, nutrition plantations,,water, land and forest resource restoration and rehabilitation, awareness generation for climate variability and change adaptation, inclusion of school children on environmental stabilization. Key Results The project period was eventful as it marked passage of progressive government circulars/orders encouraging development of private lands, creation of multi purpose farm ponds, horticulture plantation in lands of BPL, SC and ST households as well as those of small and marginal farmers. UDYAMA and the network partners took advantage of this changed policy environment and worked towards creating a wider consensus on leveraging resources from various sponsored programmes of the government such as, MGNREGS, National Food Security Mission, National Horticulture Mission, National Rural Health Mission, National Bamboo Mission and National Water and Sanitation Mission. A number of poor eligible households benefited with improved access to social security entitlements during the project period. The key outcomes/achievements can briefly be summarized as follows: 13

Network Partners from Four districts have worked had to pool resources frommainstream particularly from NREGS and other Mission: Partner list Leveraging Mainstreaming Resources i.e. MGNREGS to impact Livelihoods of Poor and Enhancing Access to Social Security Entitlements Resources leveraged (in Rs.) SN Partner District Block No of GPs GPs 1 Jana Vikash Kendra Keonjhar Banshpal Tana., Banshapal, Saharapur, Karangadih, Taramkanta 5 Social Security Programs 2 Gramin Vikash Saganthan Keonjhar Banspal Kumar & Bayakumutia 2 Annapurna 2,91,960 3 VARASHA Keonjhar Harichandan pur Bhagamunda & Sagadapata 2 Antodaya 3,34,750 4 Surya Keonjhar Jhumpura Basantapur, Malda 2 Old age pension 3,18,400 5 Sahadapur Shati Jubak Sangh Keonjhar Sadar Baradapala & Mahadeijoda 2 Widow pension 78,000 6 WORD Keonjhar Telkoi Padanga & Akul 2 IAY 1,24,08,000 Missions 7 ASHA Keonjhar Telkoi Bimal, Raisuan, Balabhadrapur, Karamangi & Padajula 5 National Health Mission 12,79,100 National Horticulture Mission 6,53,704 State Rural Water and Sanitation Mission 65,72,420 MGNREGS for Community actions: Climate change response and developin productive assets National Rural Employment Mission 2,98,50,000 Reviving/developing micro water harvesting/storage structures 1,29,53,000 Promotion/reviving/ improvements and managements of multipurpose community tanks 1,46,17,000 Promotion of farm/agro forestry in private lands 6,70,000 8 WOSCA Keonjhar Ghatagaon Raisuan & Balabhadrapur, 2 9 (DEEP) Mayurbhanj Thakurmund a Satakosia & Salchua 2 10 Amarjyoti Mayurbhanj Khunta-1 Baulagadia& Dengam 2 11 Udayana Mayurbhanj Sukruli Galusahi & Jhadughasda 2 12 Secure Mayurbhanj Kaptipada Sarat & Salchua 2 13 AJSA Bolangir Bongamund a 14 Odisa Adivasi Pratistan Denagaon & Jamkhunta 2 Bolangir Muribahal Malisira, Tentulikhunti 2 15 Plan Bolangir Saintala Dharabgada & Ganapatarapalli 16 ASHA Bolangir Titalagada Khursud & Digsira 2 17 UTASARG** Bolangir Belapada Gamhari & Beramuda 2 2 Promotion of organic agriculture and SRI 11,26,000 18 Udyama Bolangir Titlagada Ghodar, Silua, Bijepur & Banjipadar 4 Acceleration of Rural water supply and sanitation 3,11,65,500 19 Shramik Sakti Sangha Bolangir Tureikela Badabanki & Jubamal 2 Developing greenery spots under bio diversity conservation and 53,02,000 20 SAGAG Nuapada Nuapada Salabanga & Amanasara 2 14