The Role of Self Help Group Bank Linkage Programme in Preventing Rural Emergencies in India

The Self-Help Emergency Prevention (SHEPherd) programme aims to use lessons from CRS/Orissa’s emergency responses in 1999 and 2001 to inspire an India-wide response to emergency prevention. The programme has witnessed first-hand the ability of SHGs to mobilize poor families and communities to work together in order to reduce vulnerabilities at many levels. Vulnerability refers to the extent to which a natural disaster can negatively affect communities and families. CRS/India’s aim is to prevent disasters from becoming emergencies. [Paper presented at the Seminar on SHG-bank Linkage Programme at New Delhi on 25th and 26th November 2002.]