Kohima, October 6: The Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) and BRAC International have joined hands to support 4,000 extremely vulnerable households in Nagaland through a new livelihood and social inclusion initiative, SAY-SOBLOK.An MoU was signed between NSRLM and BRAC International at Hotel Vivor, Kohima, on October 6.
The initiative is aligned with the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).Inspired by BRAC’s Graduation Approach, SAY-SOBLOK will provide intensive household-level coaching, livelihood development, financial inclusion, access to government entitlements and services, social empowerment and resilience-building through a structured and time-bound approach.
Speaking at the programme, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Thavaseelan K., IAS, stressed the importance of convergence among government departments, community institutions and other stakeholders in addressing the vulnerabilities of rural households.Jt. Secretary and Mission Director, NSRLM, Moa Sangtam, highlighted the Mission’s efforts towards social inclusion, including vulnerability mapping, Vulnerability Reduction Planning and initiatives aimed at bringing vulnerable and excluded households into the development process.
India Country Lead, BRAC International, Shweta S. Banerjee, said collaboration among government, community institutions and civil society organisations could bring meaningful change to vulnerable households. She said BRAC would provide technical assistance, global learning and research support, while communities in Nagaland would remain at the centre of the programme.
The event saw participation from 12 government departments and institutions, including AIDA, underlining the focus on convergence for effective implementation.The programme also included presentations on SAY, BRAC’s engagement in Nagaland, livelihoods, coaching, capacity building and strategy, followed by discussions on action points and the next steps for rolling out SAY-SOBLOK.Speaking exclusively to NNN, SPM-SISD, NSRLM, Khriezovonuo Lhoungu, and India Country Lead, BRAC International, Shweta S. Banerjee, elaborated on the objectives of SAY-SOBLOK, the role of BRAC International and the support planned for extremely vulnerable households in Nagaland.
