buildings_settlementSustainable Reconstruction Initiative in Tsunami affected villages of Tamil Nadu

On behalf of the Swiss Red Cross and Swiss Solidarity, Skat provided conceptual and technical backstopping for the design, planning and management of the project and capacity building as well. The project had the objective of supporting Tsunami affected villages of Tharangambadi and Chinnangudi of Nagapattinam district through the reconstruction of permanent shelters and community infrastructure facilities.

Country:

India

Project Period:

2006 – 2009

Services Provided:

Backstopping & Technical Advice

  • Technical and conceptional Backstopping

Name of Client(s):

Swiss Red Cross

Description of the Project:

In December 2004, immediately after the Tsunami disaster, Swiss Red Cross (SRC) explored possibilities of a collaboration for rehabilitation with the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS).  As result, a proposal for restoration of the livelihoods of fishermen in the two villages of Tamil Nadu and in the Tharangambadi and Chinnangudi villages of Nagapattinam district was developed and approved by Swiss Solidarity.

The specific objectives of the project have been:

  1. To reconstruct a total of 1000 cyclone and earthquake-resistant houses and to ensure the rehabilitation of the affected people in these houses.
  2. To create habitable settlements in the Tsunami affected villages by rebuilding community infrastructure such as roads, libraries, and drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  3. To provide training to local people in masonry, plumbing, and other construction-related skills in order to generate employment during the reconstruction phase.
  4. To build local management capacities to facilitate better utilisation of the community structures created through the project.

Achievements:

  1. The two village settlements have been designed based on local and cultural requirementes
  2. Houses have been designed in response to people’s needs and cultural requirements. .
  3. 450 houses were handed over to the beneficiaries in August 2007, another 450 were completed by April 2008.
  4. Community facilities such as chills care centres and community halls were designed.
  5. On-the-job training was continuously provided to local artisans.
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