<b>West Bengal Voluntary Health Association (WBVHA)</b><br><br>

The year 2005-06 remained a challenging year in the family of WBVHA. WBVHA did grow in the year from the point of view of number of programmes, no of partnership, number of people reached out and number of people being trained. Stress was given for need assessment at each and every work leading to proper analysis of situation and strategy development for work with result based management approach and systemic capacity development as well as for quality work and reporting. Our effort was made to liaison with govt. authorities, at state district and block level. Considerable effort was made towards upgradation and capacity building of staff members to respond challenges and opportunities ahead. Request did come up to WBVHA from different levels of organizations with regard to providing 1) information, 2) guidance 3) organization development support training for grassroots workers as well as managers, situation need assessment, report making, its analysis, strategy development for partners organization monitoring and evaluation of projects at project intervention.<br><br>Decentralization of works and activities were made towards different projects and geographical coverage and team members. Good collaboration and cooperation was possible during the year with non-governmental organizations in general partners and members in particular. If we look back the growth chart of WBVHA, it does speak that the growth of WBVHA is steady and well balanced. The search for sustainability remained key issue during the year and it was realized that quality of work, capability to withstand upcoming challenges, negotiation skills, collaboration with various stakeholders and ability to resolve conflicts, are the main ingredients of success.<br><br>WBVHA’s concerns during this year evolved as following:
• Ensure human development
• Economic growth
• Ensure environmental well being<br><br>WBVHA action covered 1) poverty alleviation 2) gender discrimination 3) Environment (ensure water sanitation and kitchen garden) 4) Mortality reduction 5) health services (improving health with basic and primary health care), support with active involvement of partners CBOs, and SHGs, WBVHA believes that everyone has right to live and right to health care that includes understanding that right to life is about to life with dignity and safety.<br><br>During the year WBVHA served different areas of govt. collaboration as well as NGO initiatives. Also extended support to different NGOs in neighboring states like Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam. WBVHA, based on request, works with support system in the states of eastern part of India. Publications were brought out on HCAN, book on Arsenic, leaflets on breastfeeding, flash cards on Disaster Mitigation, Diarrhea, RCH,

WBVHA`s upcoming challenges are 1) Capacity building of staff members 2) More effective system of project monitoring and livelihood initiatives. In Nadia, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, WBVHA extended support in disaster preparedness, livelihood and psychosocial support.