Peter Aind Regional Coordinator, NEDSSS, Guwahati

Regional Fora accompaniment project for Mainstreaming Regional Strategy Plan & KSP’s at DSSS level

Northeast India (officially North- Eastern Region, NER) is the easternmost region of India representing both a geographic and political administrative division of the country. It comprises eight states- Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. These States have several features in common, and yet, each of them has a distinct identity and peculiar character. The rareness embodied in its each constituent unit make this region distinct and unique. Although the region is richly blessed with many natural resources in terms of forests, minerals, biodiversity and hydroelectric potential, the region is far behind in development. Since this region is one of the most difficult terrains in terms of accessibility and developmental works, the Central Government has been trying to provide necessary help and assistance to fast-track its growth and expansion.

NEDSSS is working with its 16 diocesan partners NGOs in the region to address developmental issues in the region. NEDSSS supported the diocesan partners in terms of Capacity building, holding support and developmental projects. The project areas where diocese partners are working are mostly of tribal communities. These tribal communities are the most neglected and excluded in the overall development process of the society because of their ignorance and illiteracy. Some need-based projects have been implemented in the region focusing on different thematic areas by NEDSSS and partner NGOs touching the lives of the poor and marginalized sections of the society. Problems such as gender inequality, social exclusion, religious polarization, abuse and violence, trafficking, education, health and nutrition, unemployment, human rights violations loss of biodiversity, and the problem of the famers are highly prevalent in the region.