The Jammu and Kashmir Project was initiated by EHA in response to the earthquake which devastated the region in October 2005. Last year it continued to address disaster mitigation issues in the area. Funded by DEC Tearfund, UK, the project operated in 17 mountain villages with a population of 3710 that come under the three village panchayats of Choolan, Maiyan and Bhijama in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. The program targeted the remote and marginalized communities of Gujjars and the Paharis.
Key Accomplishments
- The project identified 24 local project volunteers who guided the activities of the 10 Self-help action groups formed by the project. One key element of the project was disaster preparedness. Towards this, Basic Life Support training was given in Srinagar and Anantnag and five disaster management committees were formed. They were trained in first-aid, search, rescue and evacuation with the help of the Srinagar civil defence. A professional counsellor gave training in trauma counselling.
- Vocational Training was given to women entrepreneurs with necessary equipment and assistance. Tailoring centres were set up with facilities to learn sewing. For restoration of agriculture, the team distributed seeds and propagated the concept of seed banks and use of bins, with the help of the agricultural department in Baramulla district. The team conducted six workshops on livelihood restoration.
- Fifty water storage tanks were distributed in villages that faced acute water scarcity. 11 toilets rooms were constructed as part of school and community sanitation program. Three RCH programs and one school based HIV/AIDs awareness workshop were also conducted.
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