New South Asia Jesuit Resource and Response Hub

The Conference of South Asian Provincials (JCSA) has just created a new level of coordination for resources and emergency response at the regional level. We think it is important to bring this experience to Jesuit.Network as an example of the progressive strengthening that the Society of Jesus is undertaking to improve coordination and capacity at the supra-provincial level.

In the context of the complex and devastating situation brought about by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, JCSA recognised that among all affected, the worst affected are the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable sections of society, especially in the Indian context, the migrant labourers  .

Many spontaneous and organised efforts are have been undertaken by all the provinces/regions, their institutions and communities to combat this pandemic and its adverse consequences through various relief measures and other interventions.

As all our provinces and Institutions focused on the immediate response to the crisis situation, this resource desk operating through the Conference Development Office (CDO) is focusing on  respond to the immediate needs of the affected people and beyond preparing in a way we are well prepared to face the challenges post lockdown and post pandemic. 

Thus JRH has been being set up by the President of the Conference of South Asia on 13 April 2020, with a long term perspective to facilitate the Jesuits and collaborators to be ready to face the post lockdown and post pandemic challenges. While JRH is not a funding source, but it would also explore the possibilities of resource mobilisation and such linkages to support Jesuit Institutions. It is a Resource Hub that would work at multiple levels to capacitate people. It will work in collaboration with the existing programmes, networks in the Conference, including that of GIAN-Migration and other collaborative efforts.  JRH in no way, substitutes the initiatives taken by provinces/regions their institutions and communities and the initiatives by province, institutions and communities would continue.

Scope of Operations

• Identifying /developing linkages with organizations /agencies that fund COVID relief measures and interventions to combat transmission of the disease during the lock down, post lock down and post pandemic.
• Network linkages with organizations that are involved locally, in providing relief measures to the people affected during the lockdown and in the interventions to combat transmission of the disease.
• Provide Social Media and communication related support to develop awareness materials and other interventions related to combating the pandemic.
• Provide technical support in terms of developing concept notes, proposals, action-plan etc. to access funds in the immediate, short term and long-term scenario.
• Repository of all COVID related information – preventive measures, central and state government welfare schemes, state wise information on local NGOs, helpline etc.
• Sharing time to time updates and information on COVID-19
• Data gathering, consolidation and sharing of the required information.
• Consolidating and sharing information on Province/Region level interventions
• Develop & disseminate a response and recovery plan for any unforeseen disaster, in future.
• Identifying / Scouting for funding sources for national level COVID relief and containment programmes during the lock down; post lock down and post pandemic
• Conduct Consultation meetings to plan for formulating appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and similar such disasters in future.
• Providing professional and collective support
• Would bring together Jesuits, partners and collaborators for a long-term planning

Structure

The President of the Conference (POSA) would be the Chairperson of CRH-JCSA  and Siji Chacko, SJ (who also holds a specialisation in Disaster Management), through the Conference Development Office (CDO) would be the overall in-charge of CRH-JCSA  and the convener of the Advisory and Core Committee formed under CRH-JCSA.

The committees would meet at frequent intervals (virtually or otherwise) to discuss and review the plans and progress of the short and long-term measures undertaken by CRH-JCSA.  After the response period is over (whatever that period be), it would be decided upon as to what form this would take.

More info at: https://jcsaweb.org/