Rajasthan / India
A healthy life in dignity for marginalised communities in drought-prone districts of Western Rajasthan
- Strengthening of the self-help capacities of the marginalised communities is the most important objective of the project.
Dalit and tribal communities in Western Rajasthan face discrimination and violence due to the still prevalent rigid caste system. As day labourers, they have to live from an extremely low income, their illiteracy rate as well as their mother and infant mortality rates are very high.
Especially people living in the villages located in remote areas of the Thar Desert are faced with extremely harsh living conditions and constantly threatened by drought.
Malteser International targets 500 extremely poor
and marginalised Dalit and tribal households in 50 villages in the
districts of Jodhpur and Barmer. The relief measures aim at a
comprehensive improvement of their living conditions and therefore
encompass the fields of water, food security, health and social
programmes.
Next to very precise measures like the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks or the development of horticultural pasture plots, the Dalits and tribal communities are trained to help themselves. In the health sector, for example, volunteers are qualified in first aid and good hygiene behaviour to raise awareness within their communities; in addition, they establish links to the public health facilities to sustainably ensure their primary health care services on community level. Voluntary community representatives are also trained to make the communitys and the poors needs heard in the governments planning schemes and to manage their implementation.
The main focus of the project is to reduce discrimination of the Dalit and tribal communities by other communities or public authorities as well as within their communities: Women and girls are empowered to participate in their communities and voice discrimination both as women and as Dalits or Tribals concerning the governments services, for example.
Next to very precise measures like the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks or the development of horticultural pasture plots, the Dalits and tribal communities are trained to help themselves. In the health sector, for example, volunteers are qualified in first aid and good hygiene behaviour to raise awareness within their communities; in addition, they establish links to the public health facilities to sustainably ensure their primary health care services on community level. Voluntary community representatives are also trained to make the communitys and the poors needs heard in the governments planning schemes and to manage their implementation.
The main focus of the project is to reduce discrimination of the Dalit and tribal communities by other communities or public authorities as well as within their communities: Women and girls are empowered to participate in their communities and voice discrimination both as women and as Dalits or Tribals concerning the governments services, for example.
- Construction of 120 rainwater harvesting tanks, support of the construction of 125 rainwater harvesting tanks through the governmental employment scheme, assurance of access to 50 public water sources
- Development of 60 horticultural pasture plots including 60 rainwater harvesting tanks for irrigation which can serve as a model for other households
- Raising villagers health and hygiene awareness by trained volunteers from the communities
- Provision of governments public health service is ensured by trained volunteers from the communities
- Training of girls and women in household and community based decision-making processes
- Trainings for the leaders of Dalit and Tribal communities for participation in governmental schemes
- Promotion of an equitable economic, social and democratic participation of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Dalit and Tribal communities
- Strengthening of self-help efforts and livelihood security
- Access to drinking water
- Access to public health care and better individual health and hygiene behaviour
- Empowerment of women
- Access to government schemes regarding health care, employment and social security
| Project data | |
| Duration: | since July 2010 |
| Financing: | German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Malteser International, donations |
| Partner: | Unnati, Urmul Marusthali Bunkar Vikas Samiti (UMBVS), Institute for Development Education and Awareness (IDEA), Prayas |
| Contact | |
| Malteser: | Roland Hansen |
| info(at)malteser-international.org | |
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Malteser International works on improving the health situation food as well as water security. (Photo: Carmen Wolf)
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