Thiruvananthapuram: Sphere India and Inter Agency Group Kerala have convened a multi-stakeholder convention here on September 19 to discuss majorly the strengthening of civil society initiatives for rebuilding Kerala.
Sphere India is a national coalition of more than 70 humanitarian agencies and has on board key nodal agencies from the Central Government, UN agencies, INGOs and NGO networks. It facilitates inter-agency coordination, advocacy and capacity and knowledge sharing through a collaborative process for quality and accountability.
Sphere India senior advisor Vinod Menon and CEO Vikrant Mahajan, who met Relief Commissioner P.H. Kurian and Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) Vishwas Mehta here on Friday, told DC that IAG Kerala was set up almost a year ago and activated after the floods and landslides.
IAGs have been set up in 10 districts. Sphere India launched multi-sector joint needs assessment exercises in collaboration with the district administration. The data collected are being analysed and the reports are expected to be available in two weeks.
Mr Menon said they were looking towards an institutional arrangement with the Government, which would help Sphere India during its interactions with officials at different layers of the hierarchy.
"Time is of the essence. It's not business as usual when the State has to be operational on an emergency mode", he said.
He said the team had rich and varied experience in rescue, relief and rehabilitation work in major flood and quake-affected areas within and outside the country. "But what is most important in rebuilding a land and people devastated by calamities is achieving synergy among the Government and stakeholders, including civil society groups, survivors, rescuers, youth and labour".
He said it was time for a rapid damage assessment and launching rehab and recovery measures to instil confidence in the people. In many places scorched by disasters, people are left to fend of themselves once they start getting over the trauma.
"Rebuild Kerala can be different, opening up vistas for a shared future. There has to be debates and discussions on the way forward. The Government has to give the sense of direction after collating relevant views, getting them vetted by experts and evolving a plan of action, both short and long term.
"But in the process of rebuilding a resilient State, vulnerable sections have to be protected lest a large swathe of the population be pushed to the margins. All these are sought to be addressed through stakeholder interactions. Local bodies could play a social mobilisation catalyst than remain as defunct namesake forums", said Mr Menon.
