Odisha to set up NGO coordination centres in 7 affected districts

BHUBANESWAR: Following Cyclone Phailin and the floods triggered by it, Odisha government today decided to set up NGO coordination centres in seven districts badly affected by the twin calamities.

The NGOs will work on the ground with volunteers and other materials in close coordination with the district administration, official sources said.

Government officers and members of NGOs platform, Odisha Phailin Response Forum, today deliberated on areas of mutual cooperation to reach out to people in cyclone and flood ravaged districts.

Additional Chief Secretary Upendranath Behera represented government in the meeting.

"The meeting unanimously resolved to immediately set up NGO coordination centres in seven worst cyclone and flood affected districts," said Jagadanada from an NGO, CYSD.

The NGOs offered help in disinfecting potable water to control spreading of waterborne diseases with immediate effect and restarting agricultural cycle to enable people to produce early leafy vegetables as a measure for livelihood.

Since restoration of power infrastructure could take a long time specially in Ganjam district, NGO representatives sought more solar lights for the affected people.

During the discussion NGOs suggested for social housing movement where making of bricks and other house building materials can be included under MGNREGS work to facilitate house building works at cheaper rate.

"With pucca houses key to protection of life and property during natural calamity, the NGOs advocated to take forward innovative affordable housing for all," said M Amin of Adhikar.

Representative of UNDP also attended the meeting.