Gymea Baptist | empower / love / engage

Project 1

General Objective of Project

This is a project TEAR in partnership with the Evangelical Fellowship of India Committee for Relief (EFICOR)

Kandhamal district of Orissa drew national and world-wide media attention in 2008-09 because of the occurrence of communal violence, directed mainly against the Christian minority community, which erupted on 23rd August 08. 20,000 people became homeless and were displaced to 14 relief camps set up in the district. Over 2009, people have gradually shifted back to their villages or migrated out of the district. The last camp at Raika Block was dismantled in August 2009. The affected households still lack shelter, livelihoods and peace in their villages. In the violence, 4,500 houses were burnt or otherwise destroyed. Many of the affected families, despite government assistance, have not yet been able to re-build their houses. In the absence of proper livelihood options, funds provided by the government for reconstruction have had to be used for immediate survival needs.

 In responding to the continuing hardship, the district administration has formally requested EFICOR to take responsibility for shelter reconstruction in K Nuagaon and Baliguda blocks of Kandhamal district.The victims (mostly the minority Christians) live in trauma. The Hindu fundamentalist groups are silent for the time being (they were defeated in recently held elections) but there is a real risk that they may revive their attacks. Maoist extremists groups have also become active in the district and are trying to recruit young people into their cause.

 Expected outcome of the project

1. 338 families will have rebuilt their homes. The project will facilitate rehabilitation of 338 families affected by communal violence in Baliguda Block of Kandhamal District through shelter reconstruction.

2. The risk of religious and ethnic conflict in the district will be reduced. The projectwill support the restoration of peace in Kandhamal through Antarang groups.