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SendReviving the environment in tsunami affected areas (December 2004)
Project region : Cuddalore and Villupuram districts, Tamil Nadu region
Duration : One year (February 2005 to February 2006)
Aim : Improving the environment for populations directly affected by the tsunami
Course of action :
- Building and repairing houses
- Distributing and repairing boats
- Distributing and repairing fishing nets
- Implementation of micro credit activities
A roof and a job
This program comes in two parts: The first of which took place in the wake of the tsunami and consisted of repairing and distributing 60 boats and 110 fishing nets, building 62 temporary shelters and supporting mutual help associations through micro credit.
The second concerned the Irulas living in Shammunga Nagar and consisted in building 32 twin adobe brick houses (62 homes), according to the local inhabitant’s wishes and with their participation. Adobe bricks are a more ecologic and earthquake safe material than cement.
As the state had never officially recognised the Irulas community, this program was not just about giving them a roof over their heads but moreover giving them back their dignity. Documentary footage was also taken of the Irulas way of life and traditions.
On February 18th 2010, highschool students from Baral highschool in Castres (France) visited Shammunga Nagar village to plant trees with the villagers.
