PESHAWAR, Jan 6: Social mobilization can play an effective role in development process, especially in the areas hit by a disaster like earthquake, as it enables developmental organizations to understand problems of the community. This was said at a training workshop arranged by the Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) in Mansehra on Friday for field staff and volunteers of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD).

The workshop entitled “Social mobilisation: community interaction, planning and communication” was also attended by field staff of several civil society organizations and teachers.

Speaking on the occasion, trainer Atiq Mirza said that social mobilization was backbone of development process as without it, it was impossible to achieve goals.

“Social mobilisation enables field staff to understand problems faced by a community,” he added.

Mr Mirza said that the earthquake-affected people were confronting a number of social problems and were in dire need of counselling.

“If we fail in resolving social issues the quake victims are facing, the situation may lead to unsocial activities among them. Currently, most of the people live on begging, which may become a habit in their future life, and we have to take steps to counter the situation,” he said.

NCHD District-General Riaz Hassan said that such training workshops were necessary for capacity building of the field staff and volunteers.

“These training workshops can prove helpful in understanding the needs and problems of the community. As the field staff has to deal with the community, it is essential to understand their social values, norms, culture and traditions in order to effectively serve them,” he said.