The riot affected victims of Kandhamal Violence 2007-08 have lost everything during communal violence. Their cultivated lands in some areas have been forcibly taken away. Likewise, Livestock like Cows, Goats, Hens, Pigs etc., been taken away or killed. Therefore, they needed resources for further survival. In such juncture, providing Alternative Livelihood like Goats rearing and raising which is already a ready subject would help them reestablish again. Goats are an invaluable resource for rural communities. They can easily raise these goats and build their assets. And after the goats reproduce, they can sell them and buy other household items or save money for future use. Goat keeping is a simple initiative that helps vulnerable people to improve their incomes and make their lives better.

Having much discussion and analysis we thought Livestock Distribution will be a Self-Sustaining Program that would be very helpful to prepare a strong base to address both short term and long-term livelihood opportunities which will protect and enhance the quality of living of the target victim communities.

IEA, the Program Implementing Agency came up with this Initiative that helps disadvantaged and marginalized Riot Affected, mostly landless minorities to be self-sustaining in long run. Keeping in view of this social obligation, IEA is committed to ensure a better livelihood for those who have been chosen by the community on a common platform. Hence, series of strategic action plans was adopted and finally the designed events have been carefully implemented in the project area during the Year 2012.

The Primary Aim of this Project was to secure sustainable livelihoods through livelihood advancement, strengthen Socio-Economic Base and lessen rural poverty by empowering rural households thereby improving the standard of living, quality of life of the most vulnerable community.

Although survey and identification of the families was carried out prior to project intervention, yet it was revisited again so as to know real figures of the most vulnerable families in each targeted communities. The victims were identified through various scientific tools and techniques such as social mapping, resource mapping, Focused Group Discussion and vulnerability mapping. The methodology and the process adopted for finalizing the list of victims was very helpful for having selected the most deserving families for Goatery Livelihood Project. The selection of beneficiaries prioritized those mostly deprived families who can sustain and act on the responsibilities expected from them. The process followed in such a manner that no one complain for having devoid of getting the support. Process Documentation was strictly followed which also took some time as files had to be prepared for each recipient. Prior to implementation of the program, documentations were done for systematic function of the project and protection of the animals. Agreements made on stamp paper that the beneficiaries may not sell the animal under any circumstances and they have to intimate immediately to the concerned Supervisor in case of sickness or death of the animal.

We also provided training in keeping animals, regular vaccination and de- worming. People in the rural communities usually rear livestock like cows, goats, pig and hens. These livestock grow naturally with the consumption leaves and grass. Many times these livestock get affected by many viral diseases and people do not know the preventive and curative measures. As a result of which hundreds of livestock die of diseases and fever and people face a lot of loss. At this critical moment, the implementing organization organized two days of training on livestock promotion wherein farmers and livestock rearing communities understood the process of rearing, caring and curative measures. The Veterinary doctor explained every important process so as to keep the livestock safe and healthy. Each beneficiary attended training and constructed a shelter before receiving the goats.

The target households and communities are facilitated to initiate sustainable livelihood processes by providing technical, financial and other support services. families. It was in 2012 our team went to Kandhamal and spent time to move from 'Weekly Cattle Market' to buy goats. However they could manage to buy a total of 266 goats and distributed to 133 Families of 6 Villages namely Paningia, Murgiguda, Gandagaon, Adaspanga, Rutungia & Borikia. Despite tough Job our team was able to achieve it. Proper selection of goats was maintained to determine the goats free from all health flaws. Then each goat was medically tested and initial medication was administered. We could also tie up with the District Veterinary Officer for immunization and other treatment. All goats were insured that covers indemnity in the event of death as a result of any accident occurring, or illness or disease manifesting itself within the policy period. Relevant information regarding Livestock (goat) feed, breeding, production, veterinary treatments, health status or diseases etc. of individual or groups of livestock (goat) is disseminated from time to time. This is supporting communities to improve their understanding and practices for rearing goats and animal healthcare. A Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW) also been appointed to visit and check the animals periodically. The Community Animal Health Worker/Supervisor appointed to visit and check the animals periodically also attends regular training programs on Livestock especially Goats apart from his daily routine of hands-on-training at the nearest Government Veterinary Clinic. This was possible with tie up with the District Veterinary Officer. Training program augment efficacy especially during emergency injection doses, wound dressing, delivery of mother goats' etc. The CAHW is in constant touch with the beneficiaries and attends them as and when required.

Meanwhile it is good news that some goats have given birth and they are doing fine. Goat gives birth 2-3 times in a year and some special breeds give birth to 3 kid goats. So, within 2 to 3 years the victims will have a small herd of goats which they may sell in the market and meet emergency needs like medical treatment, marriage of children, repair of houses children's education or any other needs.

This project is helping to increase victims' incomes, food security and household nutrition by providing the training and initial livestock that the persecuted community need to develop goat keeping and breeding in the district. Goat feed distribution was carried on between 5th-7th July, 2012, the task was accomplished without any trouble. The goat feed was procured from the local market. We got the feed at a very reasonable price. Goat feed have been supplied as a food supplement apart from grazing on green pastures and nearby jungles to ensure adequate growth of goats as all female goats distributed consume more nutritional food during pre and post-natal stages. Beneficiaries received the feed with a broad smile augmented by great thanks and appreciation.

The free goats' distribution scheme has started yielding positive results. As part of the scheme, IEA distributed 2 goats and assistance for maintaining them too including Goat Feed, Deworming, Vaccination, Nutritional Supplements etc. The goats distributed started giving birth to kids. The beneficiaries point out that the kids could be sold for about Rs 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 within 10-12 months. Normally, a female goat gives birth to 4 kids in a year, which would ensure continuous income; they said and added that the scheme was proving to be a boon to their families. When the scheme was launched, critics expressed fears that it would not be a sustainable model but, IEA went ahead with implementing the scheme. It is now well on its way proving to be a sustainable model. Goat rearing was successful. The pairs of goats distributed to all beneficiaries have reproduced over the time of the project. Behind the success of the scheme lie many factors. Right from beneficiary selection, IEA was closely involved in the scheme and have been monitoring the progress continuously. The beneficiaries convey that they were getting prompt assistance from the officials of Animal husbandry department with whom IEA tied up for treatment and emergency health assistance for the beneficiaries in taking proper care of the goats. The training provided to them by Veterinarians on the ways of identifying diseases in goats and the importance of providing nutritious feed, was proving highly useful, they say.

Poor, landless families who have been given goats have started making financial gains. The scheme has given them a solid foundation and a sustainable income model. Beneficiaries or household/families increased their income for livelihood security through direct livelihood interventions; and through technical livelihood support services, looking after their families with dignity and fulfilling life saving basic needs like paying school fees, educational expenses and food security etc. without external dependency. Families got re-establish their lost source of income through Income Generation Program to make them self-sustainable. Lost Livestock will not only be replaced for the Participating families but they will also have an increase in income from livestock and increased consumption of variety of food. The beneficiary families after earning from the Sale of Goats and cash out of the Livelihood activities will have food sufficiency at home for round the year. This food supplementing nutritious and balanced food with required vitamins, mineral and amino acids and increased consumption of variety of food by the beneficiaries will increase their immunity and they will not suffer any longer out of food scarcity. Under such circumstance, the frequency and degree of morbidity and minor physical health hazards caused due to under-nutrition especially amongst children and infants and all age groups will reduce.

Improved socio-economic condition of the project beneficiaries will fetch regular income and domestic cash flow to each beneficiary family through goat production. Thus, the increase in domestic income will help parents to meet urgent domestic needs for children, health care, house repair, hospitality and family asset creation in long run. This income will encourage beneficiaries for periodical Bank savings too. Beneficiaries involved in Non-Farm activities will have gained knowledge and operational skill in the entrepreneurial mode and earning benefit, at par to the level of project objective, satisfaction and hope. Project families will have evolved into a learning and helping Communities with sustained income, food and farming, with an improved livestock-eco-system, lifestyle, etc. Participating families will have adapted practices on care for the Livestock Asset.