DRRA HALFYEARLY NEWSLETTER-JUNE-JULY-2020-ISSUE-1

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Half Yearly Edition, 1 ST issue June-July, 2020
ISSUE
DRRA'S RESPONE TO
THE OUTBREAK-
‣ THE COMMON ENEMY
‣ COMING TOGETHER
PAGE 3 TO 5
‣ ON THE SPOLIGHT
PAGE 6
FACING AMPHAN-
‣ SURVIVING
‣ AFTERMATH AND
‣ ACTION AID
PAGE 7 TO 9
‣ ONGOING FEEDS
PAGE 10
‣ END GREETINGS
PAGE 11
PREPARED BY: TAS NIM
EDITORIAL
Dear Readers,
Welcome to our brand new newsletter issue of 2020!
When I started this NGO, I knew I was taking on the best job as well as a great
responsibility as an executive Director. I knew there would be challenges ahead,
but I was equally certain that with your continued support, and the brilliant staff
of the DRRA, we would be able to meet them.
Our team has been pretty occupied since the start of this year due to the Covid-
19 pandemic outbreak. The challenge we face today in the form of a virus has
been both unexpected and devastating-especially for the people with disabilities.
It is spreading rapidly around the globe and that is changing the perception of
how we live and work. Through this issue, I want to share with you how DRRA is
facing up to this challenge, and what we are doing to keep the people with
disabilities safe, secured by providing them with necessary support and standing
tall during the time of crisis with them. Not only that the Impact of Cyclone
Amphan on May has been more damaging on different parts of Bangladesh. We
are doing our best to be there in the time of such crises.
Looking back over the past few months, I believe that we have lived up to the high
standards that the DRRA sets itself, and that you as readers rightly demand.
Thanks to our unrivalled network, donors for their support.
Amid all this uncertainty, I want to reassure that one thing remains unchanged —
which is our total commitment for the people with disabilities and to everyone
who are doing their best to overcome this situation with us.
Hope you all like what you read and see.
Regards,
Farida Yesmin
ED, DRRA
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Fighting against the common enemy COVID-
19: a practice of building a community with
a shared future for mankind…
DRRA' s Response to the outbreak
Our Response on fighting
Against the Covid-19
Pandemic Lockdown
THE OUTBREAK IS A CRISIS OF A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
MAGNITUDE & ALSO THE ONE THAT WILL REQUIRE A
RESPONSE OF UNPRECEDENTED SCALE.
Fundraising through Facebook for
supporting the families
With Disabilities
DRRA HAS SUCCESSFULLY RAISED FUNDS THROUGH FACE
BOOK FOR 500 FAMILIES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
IN THIS TIME OF CRISES
Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 Bangladesh
Leaders in the public and private sector as well as
foreign donor are coming together to respond to the
immediate threads to health systems and long term
effects to the Country Economy. However due to
lockdown people are out of finance and supporting
family has been highly difficult especially for the
people with disabilities. Considering this situation
DRRA applied to Wilde Ganzen Foundation,
Netherlands in collaboration with the others Dutch
partner named Niketan for providing the financial
support to the 565 families in Manikgonj and Dhaka
District. Besides other donors like CBM is also
stepping up to support 1988 families with disabilities
and others in need by giving a some amount to
individuals affected by the pandemic and as well as
the Cyclone Amphan.
Due to the outbreak of Corona Virus Pandemic, the
whole world is suffering a lot and children with
disabilities are suffered a lot because of the epic
situation and lock down condition life became
haphazard & in secured for the children with
disabilities. Children with Disabilities are more
vulnerable, weak and also lack immunity system.
Parents of our children with Disabilities are really
worried & passing a stressful life, even some of them
are leading a miserable life due to loss of work and
income. Many bread winners from our student’s
family are day labourers, rickshaw pullers, van pullers
& lost their jobs due to the lockdown situation. Thus
unable to look after the needs of .We have posted
their sad and sorrows and local people response for
the support of the food, cash money and safety
materials for the support of the families of children
with disabilities. More than 500 families’ received
support for food, cash money and safety materials.
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Online Caucus Meeting
"Khola Janala"
We are sharing updated message about corona
virus with our targeted beneficiaries time to
time. Regular follow up by mobile, imo,
messenger and regularly suggestions and
awareness regarding COVID-19.
A platform for counselling. Supporting
Parents & Care Givers of People with
Disabilities during Lockdown.
Open window is a program especially designed for the parents and care givers
of the person with disabilities- where they can openly discuss and consult on all
types of issues and questions regarding disability.
This program not only answers to their queries but it also tries to learn from the
experiences the parents have gathered so far- so that the knowledge can be
shared with the other participants as well, who are new to this matter. This
program also gives others the chance to send us their questions with their name
and details. So that at the end we can ask the parents to answer them if they
know or our consultancy members will be there to address the issues at the
end. This is a PRIDE project initiative- two caucus meeting has been done
successfully through MS TEAM on 20 th May and 2 nd June respectively.
FROM APRIL ONWARD
‣ Motivation on practicing on hygiene and
other issues are being done on regular
basis,
‣ Promotions and awareness raising in the
Community, maintain physical or social
distance and stay home.
A Consultancy team was built of 3 members to understand and motivate these
parents and their issues through their guidance and knowledge. Consultants
Were: Mrs. Rabeya Neela principal of Amar Jyoti School, Md. Morshedul Quadir
and Tamjidul Islam withIT Support given by Khairul Al Mamun and hosted by MS
Tasnim Hossain the communication Officer of DRRA. It’s expecting a huge
response as it continues with its curriculum and highly appreciated by all
partners and parents.
l
“Social awareness programme on Corona virus are held in different
project areas to keep the PWD’s informed about precautions”
“Doing Linkage with different union parishad, BSKS and other
Stakeholder for food supporting the families of PWD’S“
“20,000 leaflets where made and distributed among PWD’s &
general people. Billboards are made on precautions to take for
COVID-19”
“Parents were involved to support their child at home for rehabilitation
service. Distributed hygiene kit and food packet along with upazila local
government among the family’s with disabilities.”
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“Coming together in the time of
need”
DURING SUCH PANDEMIC, A COMMUNITY INITIATIVE AND
COLLABORATING WITH OTHER PARTNER’S ORGANIZATION TO
SUPPORT OTHERS WHO ARE IN MUCH RISK HAS BEEN THE MOTO OF
OUR TEAM AROUND BANGLADESH. THESE IS THE TIME WHICH CALLS
FOR LEADERSHIP. MUCH SUPPORT HAS BEEN GATHERER FROM
COMMUNITY, STARTING FROM VOLUNTEERING TO SUPPORTING AND
GATHERING FUNDS FOR RELIEF
Community maintaining social distance
with our local partners are encourage all
caregiver for making awareness about
COVID 19 , how to maintain their personal
hygiene , importance of using mask, hand
sanitizer and about precautions to avoid
getting infected.
Getting food support from local
stakeholder and social welfare
department and also district
commissioner for the persons with
disabilities for Food distribution for
children and youth with disabilities and
their families.
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On The Spot Light
“Now my disability doesn’t defines
me but my Deeds does”
STAYING HOME ISN’T AN OPTION ANY MORE - FIGHTING COVID-19
Forhad Reza, a committed, earnest person working for the
development of people with disabilities in his community. On his
own, he established an organization named Suborno Nagorick
with a team of 35 members. In turn, all participants are affiliated
with various associations and community organizations offering
awareness-raising assistance, advocacy services, workforce
opportunities and even other disability-related topics in order to
create an inclusive environment to those most in need. He’s
acting as a role model to others.
HE WAS RAISED WITH
CEREBRAL PALSY CONDITION
IN A DEPRIVED FAMILY WITH
VERY MINIMAL INCOME
GENERATION AND THUS HAS
SUFFERED FROM THESE
EFFECTS. THIS IS WHY, TODAY,
HE HAS TAKEN CHARGE UPON
HIMSELF OF REDUCING SUCH
DIFFERENCES WITH THE HOPES
OF BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE
COMMUNITY IN WHICH
PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND OTHERS
WILL ENJOY THE BASIC RIGHTS
OF SCHOOLING,
INDEPENDENCE AND HEALTH
CARE TO SURVIVE. HE'S JUST
Few impactful things done by Him during this Covid
situation are as follows:
‣ With the help NGO’s his organization has distributed
55 wheel chairs to students with disabilities along with other
necessary things like corner chair.
‣ With the support of Access Bangladesh his
organization Subornno Nagorik- supported around 80
students to get education stipend.
‣ With the support of Access Bangladesh his
organization distributed financial support of TK 1000 and
other medication support and assistance to 135 families
with disabilities.
ONE OF A KIND…
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Bangladesh - Facing
Cyclone amphan
In the midst of pendamic
outbreak!
COVID-19 is taking serious tolls from human life and Bangladesh Government has taken several initiatives
like general holidays, lockdown, area disinfection and awareness development as well as increasing number
of tests and service points to tackle the situation. In the meantime, Cyclone Amphan has also devastated the
coastal region of Bangladesh, especially Satkhira and Khulna District during May, 2020. This cyclone has
damaged shelters, WaSH and livelihood severely.
As a result of these events, quality of life of persons with disabilities are in utter disarray due to loss of family
income, limited or unavailability of essential supplies, services and transports.
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“SURVIVING THROUGH AMPHAN”
On the date of 16th May of 2020 Bangladesh and West Bengal of India faced a super cyclone titled as
‘Amphan’. It was a complex situation due to pandemic outbreak in one hand and cyclone on the
other. It was hard enough to maintain both events simultaneously.
However DRRA also supported the administration in launching a massive preparation drive week
before the cyclone hit. All DRRA working district and sub-district disaster management teams were
on the ground with trained staff from those communities, spreading awareness across all cycloneprone
districts. All DRRA cyclone shelters were readied, early warning messages were broadcasted
every two hours in local dialects through community radio in coastal districts areas.
AMPHAN AFTERMATH
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Some footages taken through Amphan

AMPHAN ACTION PLAN
FOR SUPPORTING
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITOES AND THEIR FAMILIES
While COVID-19 continues to spread, and millions across the country struggle to feed their families
because of the continued economic lockdowns, the strongest cyclonic storm ever recorded in the
Bay of Bengal hit the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Bangladesh did extremely well to save lives
amid all the chaos of COVID- 19, but the damage in the coastal areas is extensive. Recovery will
take time and support from all.
After the devastating Rampage of cyclone Amphan, A Rapid Need Assessment (RNA) was done by
DRRA, Just after it settled down. Basing on RNA report an emergency project was designed called
“Emergency Humanitarian Response for Cyclone Amphan” to execute the initiatives accordingly.
With the support of CBM, a total of 1,988 beneficiaries are listed, where 550 individuals are direct
beneficiaries-people with disabilities who will receive an amount of TK 5,500 and rest of the indirect
beneficiaries and households will receive TK 4,500 each. A team from DRRA Humanitarian
Programme will start distributing the money within 1 ST /2 ND week of July respectively so that affected
people can start repairing their houses and WASH facilities before the Eid-Ul-Azha arrival.
Besides cash, other supports like food, health related supplies and other daily life supports are also
provided to the cyclone victims.
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ONGOING
FEEDS
Via Online and over mobile Phone
we provide rehabilitation services
by the group of rehab expert. Total
2021 services were provided
under 28 CRCDs and 10 union
health sub-centres during this
reporting period.
Provide therapy service (by a
Community volunteer) to improve
physical mobility and functioning
of disable people.
Regular updates with
Beneficiaries are also done over
phone call for any support
related to health condition.
Support Children with NDD
(Autism, CP, Down syndrome
and ID) for continuing Special
Education from Special school in
the community who are not able
to continue their education.
Special training are given on
making- sewing, handi crafts etc.
Regular following up on children with
disabilities are done in three ways during
the outbreak:
Through Therapy services for Children;
Educational programs; and Child support
programs.
Disability Screening Camp (Health Camp):
The PWD’S are more vulnerable and severe
resulting not able to visit the hospital and
other health related service point for their
treatment and Identification purpose, this
camp will help them in root level along with
government Community clinic to ensure
Identification, referral and medicine
service. 43 Health Camp have been
organized during the 1 st and 2 nd quarter of
2020 project year. Disability screening camp
has been arranged by involving CHCP and elected
UP member. An orientation program had been
arranged for the Health Assistants of Community
Clinics on disability identification, prevention and
referral linkage. After the orientation program the
Health Assistants abled to know about the
disability, disability rights and protection act,
disability identification and prevention. Now they
can specify the person with disability, counselling
for the awareness of disability prevention on
community level.
Providing Education services
over mobile phone and via
internet/on-line activities,
home based and
Prevocational activities. Due
to COVID-19 situation,
government closed the
education program. We have
made adaptation plan for the
School program. We are
providing online education
through imo, whats app etc.
those who have no SMART
phone we communicate with
normal phone and give the
advices and necessary
services. Hundreds of
Individual Education Plan
(IEP) has been developed to
ensure proper education and
lifelong learning for all
ART COMPITIATION FOR DOWN
SYYNDROE FRIENDS SEND YOUR
DRAWING & WIN EID GIFTS IN
LOCKDOWN-MAY MONTH!
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e are thankful to all
Our partners, Donors and
Well Wishers,
For supporting & standing
With us in
These Catastrophic
Situation of
Great Priority...
Thank You for Everything!!
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