Koshi Nav Nirman Manch (operating under Programme for Social Action)

Location: 
​Kosi River region, Bihar, India (including Supaul, Saharsa, Bagaha, Purnea, Araria, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, and Katihar districts)

Project Summary:
This long-term community development initiative works with flood-affected populations along the Kosi River embankments in Bihar. The project combines education, livelihood training, disaster response, and advocacy to address the chronic displacement and marginalization caused by decades of flooding and inadequate government rehabilitation. The program operates through community-based mechanisms, including training centers, youth engagement, women's empowerment, and agricultural development, while advocating for the proper implementation of rehabilitation policies.

Issues Addressed:

• Chronic flooding and displacement: Recurring floods wash away entire villages and make land uncultivable
• Failed rehabilitation: Government non-implementation of promised rehabilitation measures for flood victims
• Educational exclusion: Lack of proper schools for children in flood-affected embankment areas
• Health service gaps: Absence of primary health care and vaccination centers in vulnerable villages
• Women's marginalization: Women experiencing "inhuman life" conditions, including malnutrition and childbirth complications
• Agricultural market access: Farmers lacking guaranteed purchase mechanisms for their produce
• Youth unemployment: Limited constructive engagement opportunities for young people
• Forced migration: Harsh circumstances compel farmers and laborers to migrate for survival
• Land documentation issues: Unclear documentation of farmers' land near the Kosi embankments

Approach Taken:

• Community-based education: Operating 8 Jeevanshalas (training centers), combining education with rights awareness
• Multi-generational engagement: Targeting youth, women, and farmers through differentiated programs
• Disaster response coordination: Working directly with district authorities during emergency relief operations
• Advocacy and demand-making: Organizing systematic presentations of community demands to the government
• Women's leadership development: Creating forums and parliaments for women's voices
• Sports and recreation: Using activities like a girls' hockey team for youth development
• Agricultural innovation: Promoting organic farming and farmer-producer organizations
• Documentation and media: Utilizing local media coverage to amplify community voices

Solutions:

• Jeevanshalas' establishment: 8 functioning training centers providing education and rights awareness
• Youth infrastructure: Youth club and library creating positive engagement spaces
• Women's organizing: Formation of women's forums and holding women's parliaments
• Agricultural training: Programs for organic farming and farmer-producer organization development
• Sports programs: The Girls' hockey team provides excellent opportunities
• Emergency response: Coordinated rescue operations during flood events
• Policy advocacy: 11-point demand framework including rehabilitation, food security, and basic services
• Land survey advocacy: Ensuring proper documentation of farmers' land rights

Impact:

• 8 operational Jeevanshalas providing consistent education and rights training
• Government responsiveness: Some acceptance of 11-point demands, including promises for food, electricity, health, and education services
• Women's mobilization: Successful International Women's Day program with 11 resolutions passed
• Emergency coordination: Effective collaboration with district authorities during the August 2022 flood response
• Youth engagement: Functional youth club, library, and girls' hockey team
• Agricultural development: Initiated farmer-producer organization training programs
• Rehabilitation recognition: Government acknowledgment of the need for a proper survey to identify deprived families
• Housing scheme access: Advocacy for Prime Minister's Awas Yojana benefits for flood victims
• Infrastructure commitments: Demands accepted for health centers, vaccination facilities, and schools
• Market access: Government consideration of guaranteed purchase schemes for farmers
• Migration support: Recognition of the need for welfare schemes for displaced workers

What is the impact of $1500 on this project?

• Sustain 2-3 Jeevanshalas for 3 months - covering materials, facilitator support, and rights awareness training for 100+ community members in flood-affected areas
• Emergency flood response for 25-30 families - food packets, medical supplies, and temporary shelter materials during Bihar's recurring flood season
• Women's empowerment and youth programs for 6 months - supporting the girls' hockey team, women's forums, library operations, and vocational training that builds community resilience