India
Active in India since 1971, Terre des hommes (Tdh) runs projects dealing with health, water and sanitation and fight against child trafficking. Disaster preparedness is a cross cutting issue in all activities. In 2012, over 155’000 people benefited from the activities of Terre des hommes.
Context
India, the most populous democracy in the world is also a country of many contrasts. Despite rapid economic growth, nearly half of the children in the country are malnourished and remain vulnerable due to poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Dropout rates from schools are high for girls with many of them marrying as children. India is a major source, destination and transit country for child trafficking (linked to debt bondage, forced labour, forced marriage, sexual exploitation, etc).
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92.645874
12.010308
Andaman Islands
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80.718841
16.668558
Andhra Pradesh
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88.359141
21.793823
Sunderbans, West Bengal
Centered at 78.96288 20.593684 4
Children's situation
- 47% of the girls marry before the age of 18
- 27% of the population is less than 15 years old
Delegate: Willy Bergogné
Expatriate staff: 1
National staff: 8
Budget: 1’055’037 CHF
In collaboration with: Arthik Samata Mandal, SANLAAP, Sundarban Social Development Centre
Health and nutrition
In the Andaman Islands, Tdh and its partners improve children’s access to health facilities in close collaboration with the Government. Tdh strengthens existing health structures, carries out medical examinations with referrals, and promotes healthy behaviour. In West Bengal a newly launched project in a remote and isolated area of the Sundarbans (Ganges Delta) aims at protecting 19’000 children from malnutrition and supporting recovery of severely malnourished children in a Special Nutrition Centre.
Water and sanitation
In the Andaman Islands and Andhra Pradesh Tdh improves water and sanitation infrastructure in communities and schools. Ecological Sanitation which is particularly suited for flood prone areas is promoted at the household level in Andhra Pradesh . Intensive hygiene awareness sessions with children in schools and their families help to decrease the risks of water borne diseases; this is of particular importance during emergencies.
Anti-child trafficking
Since 2006, Tdh has worked with shelter homes supporting survivors of trafficking and improving their standards of care and protection. A new programme focuses on repatriation and reintegration of trafficked children into society – both in Nepal and India.
Disaster managemen
All working areas are highly prone to natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and earth quakes. Tdh mainstreams disaster preparedness in its development projects, and responds if needs arises with emergency relief aid.
• In 2012, Tdh continued its activities in three Indian states. In the Sundarban zone (West Bengal), a large project to fight severe malnutrition was launched. Coupled with water and sanitation measures, it benefits 242,000 people today.
• In the area of child protection, the publication of a list of child-protection structures will allow easier access to better services for children in need of protection.
• Finally, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Tdh constructed its 100th ecological latrine, making the village of Regulanka one of the key areas for durable sanitation in Asia. In addition to working closely with vulnerable populations, Tdh also reinforced its cooperation with local authorities.
