NGOs to chalk out strategy

The meeting will take place in Bijapur and will have representatives from local governance authorities and international NGOs such as Caritas, Action Aid, CRY, World Vision and also representatives of the European Commission.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the representatives of the organisations confirmed that the meeting has been organised to evolve a joint strategy. The Regional Officer of Caritas India, Jimmy Mathew, who is leading a team of relief workers in Bagalkot district said “We will have representatives of the government and the NGOs to evolve a joint-strategy for relief and rehabilitation.”

Franklin Jones of World Vision confirmed the move to chalk out the joint strategy. “The meeting is very important in terms of preventing duplication of relief work. Also we hope to find out how the relief organisations and the government can complement each other and provide relevant assistance,” Franklin said.

The NGOs have deployed volunteer teams and have begun to provide immediate relief to the affected people and are making a preliminary assessment of the damage. Shameem, the programme manager of Action Aid revealed that the NGO had deployed two teams in Bellary and Bagalkot.

“There was a problem with connectivity, therefore our teams took time to get there. We are distributing food and blankets as they are immediate necessities,” she said.
World vision is already carrying out relief work in 57 villages of Bijapur Taluk and has deployed over 40 volunteers. It has already sought $ US 2 million for immediate relief work.

DH News Service