Tabasco
Improving the income situation and living conditions of marginalized people
- The construction of a fisch breeding plant ensured the income of more than 100 families. Photo: Orden de Malta México
- During emergencies medical teams of Malta Mexico provide primary health care. Photo: Orden de Malta México
With nearly 110 Mio inhabitants, Mexico is a climatically, culturally and economically diverse country. Even if the poverty rate has fallen from 50% in the 90s to 20% in 2010, thousands of mexicans are regularly affected by flooding, hurricans, earthquakes, droughts and volcanic erruptions. In addition, many peoply especially in the rural areas are socially and economically disadvantaged.
Since 1990, the Mexican Association of the Order of Malta has implemented various social programmes in the Fedaral District and 21 further states of the Mexican Republic. With the support of around 2,000 volunteers, the Order in Mexico is active in the sectors of health, nutrition, income generation and emergency relief. Malteser International has been supporting the activities of the Order since the heavy floodings in the State of Tabasco in October 2007.
Heavy flooding in October 2007 affected around one million people in the state of Tabasco. They lived one of the greatest disasters, not only on account of the number of victims, but also of the material losses and the ressources needed to regenerate the region. In the fall of 2009, there were again heavy rains in Tabasco, as well as 2010 in the states of Mexico and Vera Cruz. The volunteers of the Mexican Order of Malta are always quickly on hand to provide those affected with essential items like food, blankets and medicines.
After the first phase of emergency relief in 2007 and 2008, the Mexican Association concentrated on strengthening local capacities in the rural areas of Tabasco. In close cooperation with the local Caritas structures they constructed a fish breeding plant in a rural community highly affected by the devastating flooding. The plant now ensures the income of more than 100 families.
Malteser International also supports the medical and social care of HIV-infected mothers and their babies. The pogramme "Salva a un niño del SIDA " (Defend a children from HIV/AIDS) includes currently 54 pregnant women in the capital and in the states of Tabasco and Mexico. The transmission of the HIV virus from young mothers to their babies can be successfully prevented by medical therapy. The women receive medical and psychological care during pregnancy and in the first months after birth. In total, 490 mothers and babies took part in this programme since 2000.
- Provision of immediate relief to the neediest families
- Reduction of the impact of the disaster, like hunger and cold
- Creation of new income sources
- Improving the situation of HIV-infected mothers and children
- Distribution of food, non-food items and drinking water after the floodings Tabasco (2007, 2009), in the State of Mexico and in Veracruz (2010)
- Provision of medical aid (Emergency care with mobile medical teams, provision of medicine and medical equipment for hospitals and health centers)
- Construction of a fish breeding plant in Nacajuca
- Social and medical support of 54 HIV-infected women and babys
| Project Data: | |
| Duration: | Since November 2007 |
| Financing: | Associations of the Order of Malta, Germany's Relief Coalition (ADH), donations |
| Partner: | Mexican Association of the Order of Malta, local parishes, Caritas Tabasco |
| Contact: | |
| Malteser: | Sonja Greiner |
| info(at)malteser-international.org |
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During emergencies medical teams of Malta Mexico provide primary health care.
