Integrated Program for Community Development (IPCD)

Introduction

The Integrated Program for Community Development (IPCD) implemented by the Indian Red Cross Tamil Nadu State Branch (IRCS-TNB) in collaboration with Canadian Red Cross (CRC) continues to benefit the affected communities across six coastal districts of Tamil Nadu (Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Kanyakumari). The program covers 12,565 households and reaches 62,425 people from 29 tsunami affected coastal villages. The write up highlights the key events carried out in the month of November 2011.

Children's day celebration in IPCD crèches

Children's day was celebrated in 12 IPCD supported crèches from Pudukottai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, and Kanyakumari districts. Various events and competitions for crèche children were organized to mark the celebration. These included colorful fancy dress competition, drawing, running race, singing, frog race, and speech. The objective of organizing such events was to ensure children participation, provide them an opportunity to exhibit their skills and most importantly to celebrate their "childhood". Community leaders, parents, community members, District Secretary and IPCD staff participated in the program and encouraged the children. Community leaders and respective District Secretaries emphasized the need for ensuring safe atmosphere for children at various levels, steps to upgrade the crèche with support from community and key activities carried out under the IPCD program. Further, they also distributed prizes to the winners and also other children in the crèches.

Peer Educators training in Government schools

Three days training program for selected peer educators from the target schools were conducted in the month of November 2011 in all the IPCD program districts. The respective IPCD team in the district sought Government Educational department permission to organize the program at the district level. 379 peer educators (185 boys & 194 girls) from Class 6 and 7 were trained on injury/accident prevention & DRR topics. 473 peer educators (223 boys & 250 girls) from grade 8 and 9 were trained on adolescent health, Life skills education & DRR. 192 peer educators (84 boys &108 girls) from grade 11 were trained on HIV/AIDS, Life skills education & DRR topics. Facilitators from Kalphana Consultancy Services, Chennai facilitated the sessions. Respective District IPCD staff was present for all the 35 batches and provided need based technical and facilitation support. The trained peer educators will be discussing these topics with their peer group during the Red Cross sessions conducted once in a week.

International Day for Disaster Reduction

The Nagapattinam District Branch celebrated the International Day for Disaster Reduction in their three target communities in the first week of November 2011. The theme for this year was "Children and young people as partners in DRR". Drawing competition with the theme "Saving my future" was organized for children between 10 – 13 years and 14-17 years. 127 children from 3 villages participated in the competitions. The winners of first three places from North Poigai Nallur were shortlisted by Ms. Mary Thompson, Health Advisor, International Operations, Dr. Parag K Borkar, Senior Health Program Manager from CRC during their visit to Nagapattinam and District Branch officials. The State Disaster Response Team members Mr. Kirubakaran and Ms. Mallika Venkatraman from Nagapattinam shortlisted the winners for the other two villages. Children through their drawing were able to articulate the various measures to be taken by the households and community members to prevent disasters and during disaster. They have brought out the multidimensional aspects of disaster prevention which is the positive outcome of IPCD program intervention in the community.

Preparing for Monsoon

The community members led by Village Disaster Management Team (VDMT) made efforts to desilt the river and canals in their area to avoid flooding during monsoon. The VDMT members, Red Cross staff, volunteers (Health Promoters) from Thondiyakadu, Alankadu and Vadakuvellathikadu villages, community members and the Task Force Members cleaned the plants (Watercress) in "Maraika Koraiyaru" river which covered the entire river and blocked the smooth flowing of water to the sea. More than 100 members were involved in this activity. The Union Chairman, the Revenue Divisional Officer and the Panchayat Presidents highly appreciated the efforts of VDMT. In other villages in Tiruvarur, small canals which are to drain the rainwater were also cleaned by the VDMT members along with Disaster Management Task Force and other community members. With other allied disaster preparedness activities, the communities are better prepared towards monsoon.

CRC Advisor's visit to IPCD program villages

Ms.Gail Neudorf, DRR Advisor and Ms. Mary Thompson, Health Advisor from CRC Canada visited the IPCD program villages in Tiruvarur and Cuddalore districts along with CRC India team. During their visit they interacted with community members, IPCD staff, District Branch officials at Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts and State Branch officials. This visit witnessed lot of positive results from the IPCD program. Some of the major finding was Health Promoters involvement in Government Health camps, community's willingness to contribute towards creation of community DRR fund and their clarity and decision on utilising the funds for disaster risk mitigation activities. Commitment by the state and district branch and community ownership of the program is highly appreciated by the International Operations team.

Back to Events Home.