Development Support To 2000 Families

INTRODUCTION :

 

The Tsunami in the Indian Ocean attracted a lot of media coverage and a huge response from both public and private donors. Many International Development Organizations and individuals around the world joined hands with Development Promotion Group (DPG) and identified 12 villages, spread over four districts in Tamil Nadu and one district in Andhra Pradesh covering about 2000
families. DPG worked with these families till the end of 2005, after which it withdrew from five villages. From January 2006, its activities have been confined to about 800 immediate families with an extended coverage of 1100 families. Our decision to phase out DPG's presence was prompted to either avoid duplication of services by the involvement of other NGOs or because the needs in the
community had already been fulfilled. DPG was conscious of the fact that any prolonged presence of NGOs in these villages may affect the long-term sustainability of development of the communities. This report is third in the series on our Tsunami relief and rehabilitation operations. It covers broadly the operations for the period April 2005 to March 2006.

 

DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT TO 2000 FAMILIES:

Since the beginning of March / April 2005, DPG focused its attention on strengthening / establishing SelfHelp Groups (SHGs). Those that had existed earlier, i.e. the pre-Tsunami SHGs were strengthened and new SHGs were organized for women and youth. At the end of
March 2006, DPG continues to work with 117 groups spread over six villages. The SHGs on their own have mobilized Rs.44,71,820/- as savings which they lend among themselves. The Association of Confederation of Credit Unions (ACCU) - Bangkok provided DPG with a grant of Rs.8,69,384/- (US$ 20000) to extend micro finance support to SHGs affected by Tsunami so that they could evolve as Credit Co-operatives at the micro level. Accordingly, 42 groups from Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were identified with the help of our partner
NGOs (HFO and NEED) and a grant of Rs.20,000/- was distributed to each of these groups. Till March 2006, besides this, DPG has also provided Micro Finance Assistance to 83 SHGs, totaling Rs.25,99,097/- with grant support from Diakonie Emergency Aid, Christian Aid and Church Development Services (EED) Germany.