Thiruvananthapuram: A Rebuild Kerala brainstorming session held here on Wednesday discussed ways to strengthen grassroots networks in coordination with the Government to evolve short and long-term recovery, rehabilitation and development plans in the aftermath of the devastation across 10 out of the 14 districts.
The meeting, chaired by Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, the UNICEF representative, decided to organise awareness campaigns across the State on October 13, the International Disaster Risk Reduction Day, focusing on the possibility of calamity recurrences and the need to shed a general complacency.
The campaign would be done in association with the Kerala Institute of Local Administration.
Another priority is to mainstream disaster risk reduction in the development programme. The meeting also discussed ways to avoid duplication and plug gaps in the post-floods efforts.
The immediate goals are to reach aid and assistance for restoring livelihoods and shoring up health, education and other social sectors.
Already surveys have been conducted in 850 households in 80 villages across 10 districts. This gives Sphere India an idea of the spread of deprivation caused by the floods, said the CEO, Mr Vikrant Mahajan.
In his address, Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan suggested “customising” a mental and policy parameter for a paradigm shift in the light of the flood devastation.
“Shift from excessive dependence on hydro-electricity. Each house should evolve to be a power station. There are South East Asian nations who generate electricity through floating solar panels selling and their unused power to neighbours. Similarly, sustainability protocols in the housing and physical establishment need to be developed and implemented widely”.
Sphere India coordinated the meeting attended by nearly 50 organisations, including Oxfam, Save the Child, CARE, Caritas, ESAF and HCL Foundation.
