Sustainable Reconstruction Initiative in Tsunami affected villages of Tamil Nadu

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 are:

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.

Since the beginning of the project in 2005, the following achievements can be observed:

1. The two village settlements have been designed based on local and cultural requirements.
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 are under construction and will be completed by April 2008.
4. Community facilities such as child care centres and community halls were designed.
5. On-the-job training is continuously provided to local artisans.