after the deluge… Report - 2007

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN
SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY
Working for the empowerment of Dalits and Landless
As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night,
will never cease
GENESIS 8:22
A moment of silence and prayers for
the victims of the deluge after the deluge…
Monologue from the President
Dear Friends,
As you all know, the flood in our area has
been unprecedented. Out of 12 districts
in our diocese, eight have been almost
submerged. In the beginning we did not
know how to go about it. Thanks to our
Aid Agencies, Caritas and CRS (Catholic
Relief Services), they came in time with
their concern, expertise, personnel and
finance to plan with us how to reach the
deserving people caught in flooded
areas.
Together with Fr. Varghese Mattamana,
Director of Caritas India, Ms. Jennifer
George Poidatz, Country Representative
of CRS, Fr. Saji Augustine, Director of
Socio- Economic Development Centre,
with his team Fr. Henry D’ Souza and Fr.
Jayakumar planned to locate the
affected areas, assess their immediate
needs, prepare logistics as how to reach
them, draw administrative strategies and
recruit helpers of different categories to
work things out. Officers from Caritas
India and CRS, volunteers and paid
workers were busy round the clock to
reach the needy people in remote and
inaccessible areas. The recipients are
happy and grateful.
Caritas India supported villagers of
Begusarai, Darbhanga, Khagaria and
Sitamarhi districts. Catholic Relief
Services moved to extend help to
villagers of Madhubani, Muzaffarpur and
Samastipur districts. Aid agencies like,
ECHO, Caritas Germany, Caritas Swiss,
DEUCHMANN joined soon and responded
to various situations. I would like to
place on record my sincere thanks to all
our aid agencies who reached in time to
offer immediate relief to stranded and
displaced people due to this
unprecedented flood and to offer long
term plan for rehabilitation and
development.
I thank all our Priests, Religious and Lay
collaborators, Christians, Hindus and
Muslims, who whole- heartedly and
generously cooperating in this massive
relief work.
Dear Friends, this massive operation to
reach out to the needy would not have
been possible without your wholehearted
cooperation on the local level. We are
grateful to you and we are sure your
unstinted cooperation will continue.
I appreciate the efforts of the aid
agencies in drafting a new plan to
prepare the community in facing
disasters and leading them towards
the path of development.
I know you all have been
generous and joyfully cooperative
because all of you in the depth of
your hearts have heard the
Lord telling you,
“Whatever you have done to any of my
needy ones, you have done it to me.”
Thanks again and God bless you all.
+ J.B. Thakur, S. J.
Bishop of Muzaffarpur
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 04 I REPORT 2007
From the Director’s Desk
For years the people of Bihar was
striving to initiate path of prosperity
through various programmes and
policies. However we couldn’t see
significant changes in the society, we
were in the track. Impediments like
flood, epidemics etc… were a bane to
the development process. Disasters
always followed our population silently.
Black days were once again back to the
history.
For lakhs of people living in the villages
of Bihar the deluge of 2007 will long be
remembered as the year they saw the
ugly side of rain. A torrential rain started
in the month of July continued for
months and drowned villages of Bihar
and caused death to hundreds and
unprecedented destruction to thousands.
In Bihar almost 3 Million people
affected, over 750 dead and thousands
of peoples left homeless, the truth could
be still scaring.
Response to this disaster was
overwhelming as individuals,
organisations and government worked all
day and night toiling their resources for
the affected. We started from the day
one itself and our support ranged from
rescue, relief by providing food, shelter,
clothing, safe drinking water and
rehabilitation. A big applause for the
kind hearts who in no time reached for
our help. We were for the first time
responding to a massive flood, and our
people were scared. But our improved
professionalism in relief efforts wiped
the tears of the marooned villagers.
We started without any specific plan but
stick on to a strategy of disaster
response as soon as aid agencies came to
the field. Mobilization of resources both
internal and external was a matter of
concern in the early days. But Lord
almighty had a plan and we were able to
respond to the situation with timely
support from Catholic Relief Services,
Caritas India, ECHO, Deuchmann, Caritas
Swiss etc… Our donors bypassed all
procedures to give timely assistance and
we remain committed for the valuable
support.
Round the clock the office of MDSSS
worked with Priests, Sisters and reached
even to the interior villages. Youth,
Panchayat Representatives, Village
Committees, Politicians etc… stood with
us and helped to identify the place and
victims in need. Our faith based partners
rose to the expectations of the villagers
in all our diocesan areas. Networking
with the Government has added
advantage to the relief works, as we are
now a major partner of government in
relief operations.
Was this an eye opener for the
development approach to be carried out?
I hope it is time for us to adopt a
strategy of development through disaster
resilience. So awake, arise and work till
the achievement of Sustainable
Development. Creation of resilient
villages is one of the primary targets. A
concrete plan is being drafted for the
ongoing process of rehabilitation and
resettlement.
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY
Diocese of Muzaffarpur under the
patronship of Bishop Rt. Rev. J.B.Thakur
S. J. initiated and facilitated Bihar flood
response programme. The entire
diocesan fraternity of priests, nuns and
laity deserves heartfelt thanks for the
spectacular works carried out. I wish to
place on record appreciation and thanks
to all those who worked for the flood
response programme 2007. I thank God
for His inspiration, which made us work
and the people who kept their hopes
alive. A word of gratitude for the local
partners, who provided timely support to
the people’s. Finally my sincere thanks
to the staff of MDSSS, who worked
selflessly against all adversities. We
would like to reiterate our commitment
to continue the work in support of the
deluge affected villagers of Bihar.
Towards divine harmony of creation,
Fr. Saji Augustine
Director, MDSSS
I 05 I REPORT 2007
Backdrop
Social life of the people
of Bihar is always
conditioned by caste
arithmetic. Back ward
castes are the main
composition in the
demography of Bihar.
Agriculture is the main
occupation of people and
animal husbandry is
another source of income
for the people. High caste
landowners determine
the economic status of
the poor and majority of
the people live below the
poverty line.
Superstitions act as an
impediment in the
growth. MDSSS strives to
make them aware and to
organise people’s
movement to educate,
enlighten and empower
the marginalised,
backward and the poor
people.
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 06 I REPORT 2007
Issues and problems
Vicious circles of issues make people
poorer and poorer all through the year.
Poverty is a threat to the development
and the livelihood options are too low.
Basic needs of life such as food, drinking
water, shelter and clothing are always of
great concern for the poor in Bihar. Low
economic status prevails in the society
and related migration, sickness and
feeling of low self-esteem is high in the
state. Illiteracy is a curse to the
population and lack of skill development
training and unemployment aggravates
the situation. Social evils like child
marriage, addiction to drugs and drinks
remains same with out change. Lack of
awareness on hygiene, poor sanitation
facilities, health hazards like
communicable diseases – T.B., Leprosy,
Kala Azar, HIV etc. make people moor
poor. Natural and man made disasters
such as Flood, drought, fire, earthquake
comes like a vulture through out the
year.
Agricultural work in Bihar is seasonal and
so large chunk of population migrates to
urban areas as rickshaw pullers, coolies,
laborers at construction sites. Payment
of wages in agricultural field is usually
in kind and not even half of the
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY
minimum wages. Migration exposes them
to communicable diseases like T.B., HIV
etc. Even the basic health programmes
like vaccination, immunization against
polio, vitamin supply are denied to the
poor especially in rainy seasons.
Malnutrition is a matter of concern
among the lower castes and belief in
evil spirits aggravates the scene. Health
and hygiene of the population is not
sound and in remote areas road,
electricity and infrastructures is a not
even a dream. Even in cities basic
infrastructure for hospitals are lacking.
Most vulnerable people in the society are
women and children. None of them
enjoys the decision making process in
family or society. Educational levels of
women are below standards. Girl
children are often unwanted in the
society. Female foeticide is alarmingly
increasing. Usually girl children are not
fully fed or educated. Women don’t
enjoy ownership of land, houses etc.
Child marriage and illiteracy among
women make them more vulnerable.
Indebtedness is a nightmare to the
people and due to continued borrowing
from moneylenders and landlords; the
I 07 I REPORT 2007
common people are made bonded
laborers. The poor have no voice in
politics. Democracy is not for poor in
Bihar but for the people with muscle
power. Panchayat bodies are controlled
by powerful high castes and they impose
social alienation of Dalit community.
Only 48% literacy prevails in Bihar and of
which only 5% are Dalits. Government
welfare programmes have not addressed
the woes of the people as most of the
welfare measures are unduly availed by
the high castes. Voiceless people are
often denied of their rights. Many of
them don’t possess voter’s identity card,
BPL card, ration card, caste
certificate, job cards, birth and death
certificates and have no access to
welfare schemes for the poor. Middlemen
make use of the illiteracy of the poor as
a tool to oppress them. An integrated
approach of awareness building through
formal and non- formal education,
empowerment of women through
creation of self help groups, package of
a sound health policy and services etc.
are the needs of the hour.
 Organisational Profile &
Areas of Operation
Muzaffarpur Diocesan Vision Mission
Social Service Society Promotion of a Just and Humane To uphold the human dignity of the
Society based on the human values of marginalized, oppressed and displaced of
(MDSSS) is the official equality, love and peace. Bihar through a process of socio-cultural
value additions, economic and political Uttar
organization of the empowerment. Pradesh
diocese of Muzaffarpur
for promoting Social
Welfare and Development
in twelve civil districts of
Bihar. Since 1980, the
diocesan social work
department has been
striving towards the
integral development of
the marginalized and B I H A
underprivileged people of
Bihar, particularly of the
Dalits and landless.

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 08 I REPORT 2007

 Thematic areas
● Awareness Building among the poor and
reintegration of non-formal education and
animation of youth for enlightened career
● Women Empowerment through formation,
federating and linking of self help groups with
banks for increased status of living through
income generation programmes
● Skill trainings for youth and promotion of
Nepal Alternative Livelihood
● Promotion of Community Based Organisations
Sitamarhi through youth groups, libraries, health clubs
for social reformation
Sheohar ● Empowering local leadership to act as a
Madhubani change agent in the society
● Livelihood promotion through
Supaul entrepreneurship development programmes
Mazaffarpur and income generation programmes
Darbhanga
● Awareness and promotion of hygienic lifestyles
Madhepura for sound health and eradication of
communicable diseases
Vaishali Samastipur ● Care and support to HIV infected and
Saharsa
prevention of spreading of AIDS
● Care and support to malnourished women and
Khagaria West Bengal children
Begusarai ● Education for all, with special attention to girl
children, to undertake various job
opportunities and leadership
● Support to Relief Camps and other Relief
R Jharkhand
activities during floods
● Resilience building among the villagers against
disasters and formation of task forces for
disaster risk reduction
● Conservation and management of available
natural resources
● Upholding the rights of the dalits through
animation and empowerment
● Animation of the people for involvement in
Local Self Governance development process
for a sustainable development
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 09 I REPORT 2007
Flood
Response
2007
Seasonal floods are
common and natural to
the people of Bihar. But
year 2007 witnessed
massive displacement and
destruction as rainfall in
Bihar for three months
and release of water by
Nepal dams, flooded
Bihar and subsequently
water logging occurred in
Bihar.

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 10 I REPORT 2007

Torrential Rains
Downpour of July 2007 in Bihar was quite
unexpected. Showers continued for
three months. Bihar is a land
crisscrossed by about 250 rivers which
flood annually during the months of June
and July following the south west
monsoon. The situation worsened with
heavy rains in the catchments areas of
several rivers including Ganga, Burhi
Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi and Gandak.
Water level in all these rivers kept on
rising and there was no sign of
improvement in the following days.
Flood
The overall flood situation in Bihar
continued to remain grim, with major
rivers maintaining a rising trend and
flowing above the danger mark even as
the death toll in the current spell
mounted up. The number of flood-
related deaths rose to 754. In all,
maximum number of deaths has been
reported from Darbhanga followed by
East Champaran, Samastipur,
Muzaffarpur, and Khagaria. Over 3
million people have been affected by the
floods in 7, 972 villages spread over 210
blocks in 20 districts of the state. Crops
worth Rs 128684.51 million in 17.34 lakh
hectares have been damaged by the
floods, while over 1.59 lakh houses have
been damaged.
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY
Flood Boon/Bane
Flood is an annual phenomenon in Bihar. The rain in Bihar starts from mid-June and
continues till end of September putting the whole of North Bihar into threat of
devastating floods. Torrential rain in the upper catchments areas of rivers of Bihar
and Nepal affects some 20 districts annually. But it takes devastating and terrifying
mode when the courses of rivers are artificially trained or controlled. It has been the
experience for a long time. 2004 flood is an example to the same. The causes for the
flood in 2007 were the unusual continuous rain in Bihar region in the months of
July - August. Situation worsened in the third week of July with the release of
water from Nepal. Bagmati, Kosi, Budhi Gandak and Adhwara Samooh, rivers over
flowed at several places and immersed thousands of villages and rendered more
than a million people homeless. Man made bandhs (dams) and embankments
cause further fury of the river. The delta of floodwater is highly fertile and is very
much good for the cultivation. It washes away the fecal materials and other
wastes. But it displaces poor people. As the land owners are the beneficiaries of
the relief programmes the poor never gets the relief as he/ she doesn’t hold any
land.
Mud bandh
One of the main causes for the interlocking of water in villages was the breaking of
mud bandhs. These constructions were made of mud for channeling the water to
agricultural fields and to reroute the river water. But the speedy flood destroyed mud
bandhs and deluged the agricultural fields and habitats drowning the entire
population in misery.
Snake bites
People in Bihar worship snake and protect it. Flood affected these reptiles in search
of shelter come to temporary shelters and other habitats. Poisonous snakes attacked
humans and hospitals were flooded with snakebite cases. Several deaths were
reported. Deuchmann foundation responded to the situation with making available
anti venoms, life saving equipments and treatments.
State Disaster Management Committee (BIPARD)
For the first time we worked with the government administration. MDSSS was a
member of the disaster management committee and acted in tune with the
government administration. At first we were not prominent figures in the meetings
but now we have emerged as a decision making authority because of our work
pattern. In district, block and panchayat levels we emerged as a model for flood
response.
I 11 I REPORT 2007
Flood Response 2007
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 12 I REPORT 2007
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 13 I REPORT 2007
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 14 I REPORT 2007
Rescue & Relief

Rescue
Following the devastating flood in the
summer of 2007 MDSSS started the
rescue and relief measures to assist the
flood affected population by removing
them to safe areas. In partnership with
local churches and other institutions
MDSSS reached even innermost villages
where government and other Relief materials distributed per family Search and Assessment
organisations kept away. Government Country boats were made available for
actions always proved imprudent for the PARTICULARS QUANTITY UNIT search and rescue. Displaced people
community. were taken to nearby relief camps. Even
Food Items though we responded with our full
RICE 25 KILO
Relief PULSES 4 KILO
strength there were villages where there
was no touch with main land for weeks.
The first response to relief was mainly OIL 2 LITRE Only support they got was the food kits
food supply and providing arrangements SALT 1 KILO dropped through aerial routes. Injured
for temporary shelter to the displaced Non Food Items people were taken to hospitals. A rapid
with the help of local church partners Tarpaulin each 15’ x 12’ 1 Unit assessment was carried out in the
and NGOs like Bihar Dalit Vikas Samiti Synthetic rope each 5 Meters 1 Unit affected areas and it brought forth dire
and Janshakti International. Aid 2 unit meter cotton cloth for women 1 Cloth need of food, water and shelter.
agencies like Caritas India, Catholic Water and Sanitation
Relief Services joined hands soon.
Caritas India extended their help to
Cleaning of bore wells
Washing Soap
1237
2
Total
PIECE
Malnourished children
17,000 house holds in four flood It was a paining scene to see the
Bathing Soap 2 PIECE
affected districts namely Darbhanga, malnourished children. Government
Jerry cans 10 liters 1 Unit
Sitamarhi, Begusarai and Khagaria. always project reports of no
Plastic bucket with lid 1 Unit
Catholic Relief Services outstretched malnourished children. But our medical
Candles 2 Packet
their hands to support 17,000 camps had several cases of
Match box 2 Box
households in 3 districts namely malnourished children. This was really
Halogen Tablets (for 15 liters) 1
Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and an eye opener for international
Health Programme 50 Per family
Madhubani. European Commission for agencies like UN and a chance for the
ORS packet each 28.5 grams.
Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), Caritas SWISS, 5 such packet to be packed in one packet 4 PACKET poor to express their miseries. We
TROCAIRE Caritas Ireland (Irish Aid) and Support from Mobile Emergency clinics 128 Clinics distributed high calorie biscuits and
DEUCHMANN Foundation came to join Drug supply for permanent health centers 5 Health centers hygiene kits. Also facilities were made
our relief work with financial and available for the vaccination programme
human resources. of UNICEF.
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 15 I REPORT 2007
Medical Camps & Shelter
Emergency Medical Camp
Waterborne diseases played havoc in all
affected areas and thousands of cases
were reported. Diarrhea, Malaria etc.
added misery of the villagers. There
was an increasing risk of rapid spread
of diarrhea, measles, malaria and
hypothermia in infants due to “open to
sky” shelter and open defecation. People
with poisonous snakebites were rushed
to hospitals. Health programmes
operated with twin strategy of
conducting medical camps to arrest the
waterborne diseases and addressing the
felt needs of the communities and
malnutrition problems sprang up
everywhere. So vaccination and
nutritional supplement was of highest
priority. ORS packets were distributed
among the villagers. Bleaching powder,
water purification tablets were
distributed as the water subsided.
Medical camps carried out nutritional
supplement.
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY
Selection Criteria of Beneficiaries
We had used certain criteria in the selection of the beneficiaries. The main criteria
for the selection were:-
· Communities who have been adversely affected following heavy rains and
widespread destruction of paddy crops
· People who lost their shelter completely or partially
· Widow having no other bread earner
· Physically challenged
· Land less and daily wage laborers
· Agricultural laborers
· Marginal farmers
· People of schedule caste and backward community of society
The local partners in seven districts, who worked on the selection of beneficiaries
and relief distribution, were working in the villages for years so; it was easy for them
to identify the most deserving people in the respective community. However we
distributed relief materials not only to have nots but also to haves.
Hectic Transportation
Heavy rains literally left no road for transportation. It was of very much difficulty to
get trucks to interior parts. Again we had to use boats to transport food items to
innermost deluged areas. And some supporters swam across the flooded area and
delivered tokens/food items to people isolated in villages surrounded by water. On
highways the water level rose to 6 to 8 feet.
Street Plays
Creating awareness among the people is more important as well as providing
assistance. So realizing the importance of bringing awareness we have organized
street plays to create awareness among the flood affected communities. The
plays had given importance to the issues like precautionary measures to be taken
before, during and after flood. More over the importance of safe drinking water,
use of halogen tablets, proper use of ORS and need of maintenance of health and
hygiene. A lesson learnt is such activities should be imparted to self-help groups
where women act as the peer educators.
Sattu - a real rejuvenating edible food
Roasted Gram Flour was a real rejuvenating for the flood affected. It is easy to use
and is highly nutritious. The flour remains good for more than three weeks also.
In all affected areas we delivered the same.
I 16 I REPORT 2007
Shelter and Sanitation
To provide temporary shelter tarpaulins
and synthetic ropes were distributed
among the most affected families.
Minimum requirements for health and
hygiene was fulfilled by distributing 2
pieces of washing soap, 2 pieces of
bathing soap, 2 packets of candle, two
meters of cotton cloth and 2 pieces of
match box. Water collecting containers
and water purification materials were
distributed to the affected people. Most
of the flood victims resided by the side
of highways, railway tracks, railway
platforms, embankments, schools and
community buildings. These displaced
people really need shelter to live in.
But the current priority is a space to
rest, so arrangement for temporary
shelter is the first demand. So there
was a grave need for polythene sheets
for makeshift houses since 90%
thatched houses have been marooned
by the floodwater.

Damage Assessment in MDSSS Operational areas

Families given
Panchayats affected

Lives lost
Population affected shelter
Families affected
Villages affected

Animals affected

Houses damaged
Blocks affected

Relief camps

Population
Human

Animal
Districts
Affected

Darbhanga 18 329 1266 59854 3,212,000 402000 107087 203 639 259 225720
Sitamarhi 17 273 853 15220 2,859,000 820000 118903 71 82 20 500000
Khagaria 7 101 205 18211 902,000 201000 68500 27 63 44 109842
Begusarai 7 59 210 12344 330,000 85000 27257 9 8 20 23585
Madhubani 20 373 1087 27728 2,929,000 751000 122205 86 574 230 87933
Samastipur 13 173 658 82525 1,806,000 473000 42450 91 350 20 18513
Muzaffarpur 11 211 858 100000 1,53,1000 160000 31971 79 122 7 2000
Total 93 1519 5137 315882 13,569,000 2892000 518373 566 1838 600 967593

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 17 I REPORT 2007

Rehabilitation, Resettlement & Resilience
Building
Rehabilitation of the
displaced is of top
priority and works are in
progress to attain the
complete resettlement in
few months. As floods are
not a new phenomenon
to Bihar, a new strategy
of resilience building is
being added to the
sustainable development
initiatives of the
organisation. The future
is not only a restoration
but also a resilient
community leading to a
developmental society.
Right choice is to turn
this disaster as a chance
to grow as a sustainable
society.

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 18 I REPORT 2007

Repairing of the partially damaged
houses and assistance for the repairing
has been done before winter sets in.
Previous experiences from the flood
affected areas indicate, once the
water retrieves there is a possibility of
spreading epidemics and water borne
diseases. Some intensive medical camps
and health and hygiene measures have
to be carried out. Safe drinking water
is another major challenge in these
areas. Cleaning of wells and hand
pumps is going on and creating
awareness among the people regarding
importance of safe drinking water
through nukkad natak (street plays) to
prevent people from the outbreak of
diseases is also carried out.
Introduction of disaster preparedness
and disaster mitigation in the disaster
prone areas will help to a certain extent
in reducing the damages in the future
disasters. The life standard of the
affected communities is another major
concern and people are not aware of the
importance of educating their children.
Some long-term plans are needed for the
implementation of importance of
education among the affected
communities. Rehabilitation phase has
started soon enough to tackle the awry
of the marginalised people. A planning
workshop on disaster management was
held in partnership with implementing
agencies and local level leaders. A face-
to-face interaction with the Self Help
Groups of the area in their meeting
places was convened to grab ideas on
how to be more effective on disaster
management policies. We are making
women as peer educators in the
community in usage of hygiene kits,
need for safe drinking water, why the
community should be organised and
various awareness programmes of the
society.
Cooperation of Village Committees
In all areas the village committees met with the affected villagers and prepared the beneficiary list. It was participatory so the
awry of the victims that some were not included in beneficiary list was not heard. MDSSS never went for a top to bottom
approach and so our relief works were highly appreciated by the government and the victims.
Rapport with international community
MDSSS, Seva Sadan was successful in mobilising funds from international aid workers in no time. Earlier society had only paper
relations with aid agencies but now established a deep relationship. Acceptance from international community was really a
boost to the work and Caritas Germany called society as a visionary. European Commission for Humanitarian Aid remarked that
when all were planning to do, MDSSS, Seva Sadan completed distributions in the community. Deuchmann foundation entered in
a new area where they treated the snakebite cases and anti venoms were made available. Caritas Swiss expressed their interest
to support our programmes with out any delay.
Helping Hand from Irish Aid
In our endeavor to provide relief to victims of flood, TROCAIRE Caritas Ireland (Irish Aid) also joined hands. Through their
generous and concerned support relief material was distributed to 33 villages in 14 panchayats of 6 blocks in two districts of
Begusarai and Khagaria.
Food items were distributed to 1300 households, kitchen utensils to 150 households, livelihood items (goats) to 100 households,
house repair material to 566 households, tarpaulin for temporary shelter to 1000 households, blankets to 2200 households. 34
roads were repaired under Cash for Work activity through which around 7000 persons were benefited.
New area of intervention
· Social ministry of the diocese could venture into new areas where our works were awaited
· A professional approach was introduced in all the approaches and works of the society
· Utilization of maximum resources was achieved as we sourced out human potential and infrastructures available for flood
response programme
· Documents were not in sound form and after this response programme, documents and procedures of the organisation took
shape
· Reached out far away places for flood response and even we went for interior villages 180 km away
· No differences with haves and have-nots as we delivered relief to both
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 19 I REPORT 2007
Highlights of
2006-07

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 20 I REPORT 2007

● Twenty five literacy centers were opened for the Santhali children and 25 women’s groups were formed
● Non Formal Education Programme and Community Mobilization project continued in 3 blocks of Madhubani, where 30 NFE
centers run in villages and at some areas formal schools came up
● Women empowerment programme funded by Swiss League continued in Darbhanga and formed 25 health groups in villages
and a health fund was mobilised
● Women group formation, organisation of groups and training programmes were conducted in Begusarai with support from
Caritas India
● In Muriaro community development programme through organisation of women groups, trainings continued with support from
Caritas India
● Community development programme and income generation programme continued in Saharsa and Madhepura with support
from Kfb Austria. Non-formal education programmes were boosted up and goat rearing was promoted as IGPs. Hundreds of
families benefited from this project
● Health education and community development programmes were initiated in Darbhanga with support from Caritas India
● Manos Unidas supported the Non-formal Education in 20 villages of Kanti as a part of the community development activities
● Non-formal education in 3 blocks was organised by women organisations of Madhubani and people were able to mobilise land
for schools. A people’s school was initiated
● Stop Migration programme supported by STEP Foundation provided vocational training to 25 bonded child labors
● Animation programme of women conducted by Bijhan forum in Muzaffarpur
● Manos Unidas supported the Non-formal education program in Darbhanga, Begusarai and Khagadia and 50 Siksha Samithi
were formed in 50 Non formal literacy centers
● Economic development of women group members of Darbhanga, Muriaro, Kanti were initiated through Income generation
programmes supported by Caritas India
● Integrated Development through Empowerment and Action programme initiated and core development committees got
functional. Forty SHG’s were formed and were strongly involved in flood response programme in Mushahari Block

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 21 I REPORT 2007

 Women
Empowerment

Women Self Help groups stand as a
pillar in the process of creating a new
phase to the development arena for
poverty stricken Bihar. Strengthening of
women groups through motivational
trainings and organising of Mahila
Mandals, awareness programmes on
leadership building are the stepping
processes. Some of the operational
strategies in the process are;
● Enabling women leaders to
participate in community
development activities like
monitoring the functioning of
government schools, cleanliness of
streets, tube wells and its
surroundings, settling internal
disputes through Mahila Mandals
meeting and ensuring vaccination
etc…
● To reduce poverty and
unemployment by assisting the
people to take up income
generation activities such as goat
rearing, bee keeping, vegetable
cultivation, small shops, vegetable
selling etc…
● Enable the women to avail the
services of local administration,
banks, hospitals and schools for
their growth
● Capacity building of SHGs through
providing legal aid courses,
leadership training, information on
health issues, social analysis and
survey on women’s status
● Enabling women to deal with local
issues of exploitation and atrocities
against women or the community
itself like wife beating, alcoholism,
gambling, child marriage, neglect of
girl child’s health and education
● Enabling the women to provide
information on the cause and
symptoms of diseases to the
villagers to remove superstitious
beliefs and lessen the practice of
exorcism
● Animating the women to educate
the girl children
● Impart health, hygiene and
immunization program

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 22 I REPORT 2007

Health Projects
An integral part of the actions of the
society is the health projects mainly
aimed to create a healthy environment
in the family. Epidemics and
communicable diseases are increasing
the mortality rates and still now the
government programmes couldn’t
achieve any significant differences. In all
major areas we are associating with
health centers run by diocesan partners
and nuns. Some of the activities are…
Nukkad Natak – Street plays are
Health camps are often conducted in performed on different topics. As
villages and remote areas where people village friendly and easy to understand
couldn’t access these facilities. Special they have created a remarkable
camps are introduced to curb issues of difference in the society. Live demos
spread of epidemics and communicable are more influential to the community.
diseases Touring street theater teams of the
society have made the people aware of
Society promotes the usage of herbal the spread of diseases at times of
medicines through various awareness disasters were successful in controlling
programmes and distribution of the same in the flood response program
medicines
Exposure programmes to successful
health models are offered

Dhais Training is another area we are

concentrating. As majority of the
villagers never goes for hospital at times
of delivery the role of expert Dhais are
increasing. But they should be taught of
the safe measures and our training is in
this regard

Adolescent girl children’s health and

hygiene training is another component of
our health program.

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 23 I REPORT 2007

Non
Formal
Education
Children who are not going to school are
collected from villages and are
motivated to read and write. Animators
from the same village are selected and
offered trainers’ training and will be
equipped to send to these villages.
Slate and study materials are given free.
Animator does have to collect at least 30
children to start an informal school.
After three years most of them will be
enrolled in government schools. Some of
the specialities of our non- formal
education are…

● Adult children linking to National

Open School
● Support as Village education
committee formed
● Continued school education has to
find the resources from community
and so community itself will come
with resources
● Encouraged to make their own
schools
● Mid- day meals for the school going
children are ensured by the village
committee

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 24 I REPORT 2007


MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY
Income
Generating
Programmes
(IGPs)
Creation of a sustainable development
model is in making the community self
reliant. In this regard IGPs are a major
factor. Third world countries are steadily
moving through a platform of
participatory model of development and
we are also making use of the same
model. Some of our programmes are:
● Formation of Self Help Groups
● Animation for Regular meetings
● Credit Programmes are offered to
these groups
● Based on the two to three years of
existence revolving funds are made
available from the society
● Continuous capacity enhancement
trainings are offered to the groups on
topics related to their work
● Entrepreneurship Development
Programmes are offered on suitable
trades for the village groups
● Exposure visits to successful models
are offered to the women groups
Marketing feasibilities are assessed
and based on the research output
plan is prepared for modality of
operation
● Agriculture and Animal Husbandry are
major areas of intervention of the
groups and similar groups are
networked for more credit linkages
I 25 I REPORT 2007
 Peep into the
yesteryears
● On march 28, 1980, Muzaffarpur
Diocese was created
● The first bishop Most. Rev. John
Baptist Thakur S J sought the help
of Sr. Maria Theresa of Medical
Mission and Sr. Grace SND for
serving the social ministry of the
Diocese
● In 80’s ministry started working in
17 districts north to the river
Ganges namely Begusarai,
Darbhanga, East Champaran,
Gopalganj, Khagaria, Madhepura,
Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa,
Saran, Samastipur, Sheohar,
Sitamarhi, Siwan, Supaul, Vaishali
and West Champaran
● Society mostly concentrated on
charity, relief and non- formal
education in its first phase
● A group of people in the diocese
met monthly to plan and review the
developmental works of the society
● In 1981 with the support of Indo
German Social Service Society and
Caritas India a three day planning
workshop was conducted at Khrist
Raja School Bettiah. The workshop
came forth with a decision to
conduct a baseline data collection
to gather informations on Social,
Political, Educational and Cultural
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 26 I REPORT 2007
aspects of the reference
population. Also a need assessment
was initiated
● Mr. L. J. David was appointed as
Executive Director in 1983
● Mr. James Seraphim took charge of
the informal society in 1985
● On 1988 August 4th new diocese at
Bettiah was formed with districts
bifurcated from Muzaffarpur
diocese viz, East Champaran, West
Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan and
Saran
● In 2001 society got registration and
started working as Socio Economic
Development Office
● In June 2003 the Socio Pastoral
Renewal Centre, at Muzaffarpur was
constructed. The social wing started
development activities with the
appointment of Rev. Fr. Joseph
Oreya
● In January 2005 Rev. Fr. Julius
Lazarus was appointed as the
Executive Director of the society
● Fr. Saji Augustine Thengumpallil was
appointed as the Executive Director
in June 2006
● Fr. Henry D’Souza and Fr. Jaya
Kumar joined MDSSS as Co-
Directors
Donors and Supporters

Diocese of Muzaffarpur CHAI/CHABIJ DKE CIC Sisters

Caritas India Manos Unidas Church in Need Mata Sahayika Sisters
Catholic Relief Services DK Austria MIVA DMI Sisters
ECHO NEG-FIRE Church partners in all Sacred Heart Sisters
Caritas Germany Kfb Austria districts Medical Mission Sisters
Misereor IGSSS Prabhat Madhubani Fransiscan Sisters {FMM}
Missio Swiss League of Catholic BDVS SMA Sisters
Irish Aid Women Janshakti International Holy Cross Sisters
FVTF Stop Migration Step Sitamarhi SCN Sisters
DEUCHMANN Foundation Foundation IMS Missionaries

MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY I 27 I REPORT 2007

 Compiled by jaimonuthupchirayil@gmail.com
MUZAFFARPUR DIOCESAN
SOCIAL SERVICE SOCIETY

printed at Printers Castle, Kochi

Seva Sadan, Bibi Ganj,
Bhagwanpur Chowk P. O.,
Muzaffarpur - 842001
Bihar, India
Ph: 0621 2260788, +91 9334116332,
Fax: 0621 2260788
sevasadan_mds@yahoo.com
www.mdsss.org