Contributions by the Canadian Red Cross
INDIA
Capacity and resilience
In India, the Canadian Red Cross partnership with the Indian Red Cross Society for the Tsunami-affected state of Tamil Nadu has progressed from the recovery phase to a development program. The core activity is a health and hygiene awareness outreach where trained Red Cross volunteers visit over 12,000 households in 29 villages across six districts delivering health messages, including basic First Aid training and Mother and Child Health Care to some 60,000 beneficiaries.
In addition to curriculum and training support for delivering community health education in these villages, the Canadian Red Cross is also helping strengthen the Indian Red Cross Society’s ability to respond to disasters through a comprehensive program in community-based disaster risk reduction.
The reach of the health and disaster preparedness programs is being further expanded through a school-based initiative creating Red Cross Youth clubs in 79 schools in the surrounding area of the 29 target villages.
Another project in Tamil Nadu continues the implementation of an emotional wellness play program in 13 Red Cross crèches (nursery schools), benefiting more than 600 children. These children come from families that suffered both the terror of the Tsunami and the long-term effects of turmoil and loss within their households and communities. The crèches teachers received child development training and get regular, ongoing refresher updates.
Livelihood initiatives
The Canadian Red Cross partnership also includes activities to build community resilience through creation of small business endeavors. A total of 62 Livelihood groups in the Tsunami villages are generating income from assets provided by Canadian Red Cross such as fishing boats, and mini-trucks for delivering the fresh fish catch to market – which brings a better price than for fish dried on the beach in the sun. Another set of livelihood groups receive small cash grants to set up fish net supply shops, or to rear goats. One enterprising group packages a popular local pickle that is selling well under a brand name created by the group.
Branch Development
The Canadian Red Cross also collaborates with its Indian Red Cross partner to build institutional capacity. A financial accounting system introduced in the six district branches reports monthly on program expenditures, and CRC staff work closely with branch management and volunteer governance on the strengthening of planning and decision-making for implementation of program activities.
