Third Block Level Need Assessment

During the third field trip, the SAFER Unit organised a transformative field activity in the small villages of Kajalpatia and Runkei, Puri district. The approach of this day was to meet with farmers from both communities to exchange ideas on resilience processes in the face of climate change and disaster risks. The work was divided into two different processes in order to gather information: 1st focus groups and 2nd random surveys of farmers in the village. During the rallies we exchanged interesting information related to the effects of change that they have perceived and how they have tried to adapt to them. Around 29 women and 27 men actively participated during the focus groups, showing great interest in the topic and providing very interesting inputs to our work. We were able to observe that in both localities the biggest problem is water, which arrives from the rain at the wrong time and in an uncontrolled manner. In Kajalpatia they have already implemented bourwell to replace rainwater, but the problem continues, as they are forced to use fuel for the engines, which makes the production process more expensive. As far as the collection of opinions through the surveys is concerned, more than 50 questionnaires were recorded, which will allow us to get a more accurate picture of the situation and adaptation to change of these small and poor rural communities, who live every day and on their own skin the negative effects of climate change.

Satisfied with the work done, the SAFER Unit is fully pleased with the results. We hope to keep in touch with them and plan further meetings to exchange ideas and to find the biggest common problem that needs to be solved urgently. In this way we can put pressure on governments, find help in collaboration with other organisations, and move to strengthen these communities. We continue to work with the commitment and will to strengthen communities in the face of the formidable challenges posed by climate change and disaster risks.