To keep up with the pace of present frequency and intensity of disaster, IGSSS has established Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) team in the year 2010. The team works for mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction, emergency response, issues concerning climate change and developing relevant strategy and policy. The emergency response team is trained on disaster risk reduction and emergency response operations.
The DRR team in Assam has made incredible contribution for accessing safe drinking water where the ground water is contaminated with Arsenic. The team is equipped with water testing technology and promotion of low cost arsenic filter that has already received positive response from the users and state government for its efficiency and cost effectiveness.
In the year 2010, IGSSS also worked on a 'Rights-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Programme' in South Asia (India, Bangladesh and Nepal) under a new partnership with DanChurchAid.
 Achievement
IGSSS and SPHERE
IGSSS plays a critical role in North East and particularly in Assam in addressing civil society's response to Disaster Management. It continuously contributes its resources and manpower for Unified Response Strategy (URS).
The IAG-Assam secretariat has been appreciated by SPHERE India and recognized by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). It also involved like minded civil society organizations and played a pivotal role in promoting risk reduction and emergency operations.
The Seed of Change
While striving continuously to build disaster resilience communities, IGSSS developed DRR good practices in implementing flood rehabilitation project in Assam supported by Welthungerhilfe and ECHO. One of the good practices is "The seed of Change" – a seed bank in flood prone area which is also replicable. IGSSS received accreditation certificate for its contribution in developing good practices for Disaster risk reduction.
Emergency Response to Fire Incidence at Naisingpara Camp of Bru-IDPs
A fire devastation razed over 2500 houses of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at Naisingpara camp, Tripura, on 19th March 2011, killing 18 persons and rendering thousands homeless. IGSSS declared a 45 days emergency in its Northeast offices and intervened in the situation with rapid and detailed assessments, mobilization of material aids and assisting the local administration in the camps.
The emergency response was successfully completed with distribution of material aids secured from DANIDA-DCA worth 4,510,976.00 INR to 2500 families and internal spending of 135,341.00 INR from IGSSS emergency fund. Major items distributed included: plastic buckets, plastic sleeping mat, treated cotton mosquito net, toilet soap, laundry soap and antiseptic dettol.
Significance of the Response
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The Bru emergency response is the first case of IGSSS accessing DANIDA Mat Aid (Material Aid) and has helped the team learn about material management & logistic operations in emergencies.
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HAP (Humanitarian Accountability Partnership) was tried by IGSSS and community level complaint mechanism was initiated successfully.
Impact
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Humanitarian Response & Rehabilitation of 18 villages affected by flood in Dhemaji District of Assam (July-August 2011) was started with grant support by Misereor of Euro 22,000.00 for 12 months cycle.
Stories of Change
Providing Safe Drinking Water in Arsenic Contaminated Villages
Impact of Kanchan Arsenic Filter on people
Tengagarah village is inhabited by 39 households of which 20 belong to the economically and socially backward tribal community. The village water were contaminated with iron and arsenic resulting in village folks suffering from various waterborne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases etc.
IGSSS provided one Mark III hand pump catering to the need of each 10 tribal families. Once the installation of the hand Pump was done, IGSSS conducted a test of the drinking water at the Rural Laboratory, Gogamukh (established by UNICEF) and still found arsenic beyond permissible limit. IGSSS then provided Kanchan Arsenic Filter which can remove arsenic and make water drinkable and portable. The Kanchan arsenic (KAF) Filter decreased the levels of arsenic from 0.05mg/l to 0.02 mg/l which is safe for drinking purposes
Right Based Community Risk Reduction Initiative in Brahmaputra Basin of Assam
IGSSS has established Human Rights Disaster Risk Reduction team in the year 2010. The team works for mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction India, emergency response, issues concerning climate change and developing relevant strategy and policy.
Right Based Community Risk Reduction Initiative in Brahmaputra Basin of Assam is being implemented in the North Lakhimpur District with the support from Dan Church Aid. The overall goal of the project is to capacitate the disaster prone vulnerable marginalized communities living in Brahmaputra basin, build resilience against disaster, reduce risks and ensure better access to rights and entitlements. The target community is 50 villages comprising of Tribal, OBCs and SC communities perennially affected by recurring flood and vulnerabilities.
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Repatriation of Internally Displaced Persons
RIDE–B is an intervention in partnership with European Union Human Rights Fund for protecting the basic rights of education, food, health and livelihood of the internally displaced people. The project is being implemented in the state of Tripura and Mizoram, Northeast. The target beneficiaries of the project are 1000 Bru Reang persons.
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What We Do 
WHAT WE DO » Key Areas of Intervention
Promoting Sustainable Livelihood
