Order of Malta Worldwide Relief--Malteser International Americas | Programs: Our Programs: Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

Programs: Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

India---Project Coordinator Michael Hinsch
with Irula

After the basic needs are met, Malteser International’s aim is to further reduce vulnerability and to provide communities affected by crisis and disasters with sustainable reconstruction and rehabilitation programs with a strong development perspective. The program components include reconstruction of houses and villages, re-establishing social structures and community strengthening.

Suffering From Social Exclusion

India has been very hardly hit by the tsunami. One of the groups that suffered most was the Irula, a tribal community living in different parts of India. Traditionally, Irula people are snake and rat catchers. Since they cannot make a living from this occupation any longer, they now often earn some money from doing coolie work. In some places, Irula people suffer from bonded labour in rice mills. The Indian society has been neglecting the Irulas like many other tribal communities over the years. They belong to one of the most marginalised fractions of the rigidly stratified Indian society.

Building New Homes and Futures

"The Irula had already been very poor before the tsunami December 2004 and lost the few things that they had possessed," Michael Hinsch, Malteser International counsellor for partner projects in India, says. Although the tsunami is more than three years ago, there are still many victims who need help: "We support projects of Indian partner organisations that help the forgotten victims," Hinsch explains.

Malteser International together with the homeless people is building 57 houses and for Michael Hinsch it is a matter of course that he includes the beneficiaries of Malteser International into all decisions: Where will the toilets be? How and where will the sewage water be disposed? The future house owners have discussed everything in small groups and with building bricks what their village should look like: "The people participated enthusiastically for hours", Hinsch says.

Malteser International's Indian partner organisation Bharathi Trust has been encouraging the Irulas’ struggle for social, economic and political justice for 16 years. During the tsunami of 2004, many of the Irula families lost their small homes and were once more forced to move on. This housing project realised by Malteser International, Bharathi Trust and Eklavya Foundation aims at providing tsunami affected Irula communities with permanent settlements.