Taking safety into their own hands
When natural disasters strike, it is the poorest people who are most
likely to suffer. It can be devastating for individuals and
communities, but some groups are attempting to reduce the impact of
natural hazards
guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 March 2011 17.14 GMT
Dalit families of the tsunami affected community of MGR Nagar in the
town of Tirunchendur New homes, funded by Christian Aid, were
constructed for the 72 Dalit families of the tsunami affected
community of MGR Nagar in the town of Tirunchendur. Photograph: Tom
Pietrasik
In the third Guardian film to be shown on this special website, in
association with Christian Aid, the Dalit people of Andhra Pradesh in
southern India show how they are taking steps to make their
communities more resilient to disasters, against a background of
poverty and discrimination.
Although the Indian economy has improved hugely in recent years, the
effects of this have been very patchy. The richest enjoy a much more
affluent standard of living, but the lives of the vast majority of
poor people have not got better.
Dalits, formerly known as "untouchables", are among the poorest people
in India. Although the caste system has officially been abolished,
prejudice against Dalits is still very common. In Andhra Pradesh,
Dalits live in precarious and often rudimentary housing that cannot
stand up to the floods and cyclones that often occur. As a result of
this poor housing, they are more likely to be the victims of disasters
– but instead of receiving help when they strike, they often face
discrimination.
After the 2004 tsunami, Dalits found that they were excluded from the
relief effort, both by the government and by some aid agencies.
Rehabilitation camps did not want to look after them, and they were at
the end of the queue for emergency aid. Despite all that, they were
still obliged to clear away the corpses that resulted from the
disaster. This was a turning point, and now they are determined that
things should change.
So how are Dalits taking safety into their own hands by making their
communities prepare for disaster, even before it strikes? And when
natural events do occur, what is being done to ensure they can avoid
the vicious cycle of further poverty and debt that comes from having
to rebuild their lives from scratch?
Find out by viewing the film from Monday. The previous films on
sexuality-based discrimination, human rights and HIV in Kenya, and
food and agriculture in Ethiopia, are available to view. Additional
films will be uploaded each week.
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