Joint Efforts Lead to Success: Collaboration between NGOs and the Army in Kashmir
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Local community at a relief strategy meeting with the Army in Kashmir.
When Jammu and Kashmir was struck by the worst earthquake in more than 100 years on October 8, 2005, the destruction and loss was aggregated by the conflict-inflicted, when down infrastructure and insecurity in the area. The objectives of AIDMI during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake response were to:
1) Provide direct basic relief to the poor among the earthquake victims in Kashmir
2) Develop a foundation for community based rehabilitation and long-term recovery.
The Indian Army played a central role in decisions regarding relief distribution including identification of required assistance, relief material selection, transportation of relief material to the area and relief distribution. The military also monitored different processes along with the AIDMI team. In addition, the Army personnel also ensured that no duplicity of relief distribution took place and that nobody was left out.
Local community also accept that the Army personnel helped them during a crucial time. Next, they started a community kitchen within a week after earthquake. Their bunkers were also destroyed in earthquake but, along with reconstruction of their bunkers, they also involved themselves in rescue and relief work. Their vehicles like helicopters were also used as it was the only possible mode of transport. Community strongly emphasises that survival without their help would not have been possible.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
