Shushilan

This is the last month of 2009 and now it is high time to look back for self assessment and evaluation of our performance in the domain of regional development in the south-west coastal region. It is an opportunity to track down the trails left behind and see the way ahead in to the era of globalization, the development domain of the 21^st century. 

For Shushilan, the year 2008-09 was a year of   relentless struggle for recovery from devastation of Sidr and tidal surge Aila. It was a year of learning and accepting challenges to prove our commitment and dedication towards suffering humanity, and uphold our values, not by words but in deeds. We express our sympathy and cordial condolence for members of the families who sustained immense losses in terms of money and materials, and lost their near and dear ones for ever.

We proved our worth and set an example of an honest and transparent approach in distribution of emergency relief and delivery of rehabilitation services even in the face of pressure, threats and intimidation. That we have earned people’s love and confidence is our greatest achievement of the year. 

The last year has seen great progress and improvement in Shushilan’s project management and fund-handling capacity. Our expenditure on key projects increased from some 180 million taka in 2007- 08 to over 330 million taka in 2008-09.  

The activities performed in the previous year cumulatively contribute to achievement of strategic goals and objectives which principally focus on basic needs of the coastal community-conservation of bio-diversity, protection of human rights and to sustain livelihood. The Issue of livelihood sustainability involves access to resource and technology, promotion of community adaptation to climate change, integration of disaster management in mainstream development process and diversification of livelihood options through development of micro-enterprise and conservation of agricultural and house-hold level bio-diversity.  

Experiences earned by Shushilan in the process of implementation of multi-dimensional development initiatives has now reached a stage suitable for shaping an integrated community based  development model to trigger peoples’ initiative for self development. Swa-uddyag’ offers a conceptual and organizational framework for a community based integrated Development model now taking shape in the process of Shushilan’s development endeavor in the South-west coastal region. If it really happens, it would be a great event in future trend of development in the south-west coastal region!

Mostafa Nuruzzaman, December 2009