A comfortable home is not only a dwelling place but is an identity which affords psychological satisfaction giving a sense of ownership and promoting self-esteem to individuals. It is a cherished wish of all to own a home but many poor families could not afford because of their pressing economic situation. This capital good contributes to economic development and social status. When the lifelong hard earned money of the poor people invested in their homes is destroyed during the natural calamities, they are devastated and their plight is inexplicable.

The floods of December 2015  had left untold miseries and the dalit inhabitants living in low lying villages of Kancheepuram district were worst affected.  Huts and kutcha houses were completely washed out. As part of its rehabilitation plan,  Caritas India supported Chengalpattu Rural Development Society (CRDS)  for shelter assistance benefiting 450 families.

CRDS pursued with a community-driven approach for shelter reconstruction, the principles being ‘build back safer’ focusing disaster resistant housing; respecting the decision of the owner in regards to the design and choice of construction materials; promoting the use of local materials and employing local masons.

The support given by Caritas India was used as a leveraging amount that helped the flood victims either to repair their houses or construct a new one.  Thirty-five flood-affected families of Uthamanallur in Acharapakkam Block are proud owners of safe houses. Twenty-six families utilised the amount given by Caritas to complete the houses availed under Tamil Nadu Green House Scheme. Thanks to the Panchayat leader for facilitating to avail this scheme.

In Vetrambakkam village, the women SHG member Ms.Shakeela said, “ In a 150 Sq.ft  hut, we were nine members living as a joint family. Our dwelling was destroyed in the floods. With the facilitation of CRDS, we can have a safe shelter with the dimension of 23’x13’. Now there is sufficient space for us to live peacefully with our 3 children”.

The shelter beneficiaries as a community are motivated to maintain Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the village. Creating disaster resilient models integrating soil and water management is planned for the community.  CRDS team is sensitizing them on government schemes and programmes for improved service delivery. Building the resilience of Dalit communities through rights and entitlements facilitating their sustained eco-friendly life through an inclusive approach is the major focus.

CRDS’ UDHAYAM (ECO DRR) evaluation cum programme formulation workshop was facilitated during 27^th to 30^th November by Dr.John Arokiaraj, Caritas India Thematic Manager- Dalit Rights. “The staff knows the work and that is the success of the programme,” said Ms.Eshani Choudhury,  Programme Officer- DRR who was part of the participatory evaluation team. It was observed that out of 450 persons assisted, 60% have converted their thatched huts into pucca resilient houses.

The staff and the representatives of marginalised communities from 25 villages coming under 17 Blocks collectively reflected on the various components of preparing a village disaster management plan and link them with the District Disaster Management Plan. This programme also will have the children parliament members as the major stakeholders and they will be trained to design the School Disaster Management Plan closely working with School Management Committee.