Program Background

Of the 35 states and union territories in India, 22 are disaster-prone. These states are frequently hit by natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or drought, which have killed around nine million people over the last century.

When Oxfam Trust launches an emergency response it is when lives, health and livelihoods are threatened as a result of natural disasters. We will respond to emergency situations in India where we are confident we can save and protect lives. Where possible we continue to work until people have the skills and tools they need to rebuild their lives.

Oxfam Trust worked in Tsunami-affected areas of south India, to help those worst hit by the disaster.

The South Asian Tsunami

When he saw the Tsunami about to hit his village, Ramasami ran five kilometers to safety with the other villagers, taking shelter in a neighboring village's schools and temples as the waves surged through their homes.

Oxfam Trust helped provide food and shelter in 12 relief camps across villages in Tamil Nadu. Later dry food and other provisions were distributed along with water purification tablets for safe drinking water. With ten operation cells of 50-60 volunteers each, relief was being provided to more than 16,000 families. We assisted search and rescue operations to reunite families who had become dispersed in the panicked run for safety as well as to retrieve, identify and cremate victims.

Although there were no deaths in his village, the Tsunami caused significant damage to Ramasami's economically precarious existence, destroying harvests and ruining his fertile land with salt and sand deposits; he has lost this year's crop and his land will take at least two years to recover.

Whilst thousands have lost loved ones and homes, thousands more have lost the means with which they eke out a living. Oxfam Trust's Tsunami program addresses the psychological trauma survivors face and their urgent need to resume sustainable livelihoods.

Find out more about Oxfam Trust's Emergency Programs in Tamil Nadu and Mumbai.

Oxfam International also works in other emergencies around the world, including those humanitarian crises caused by armed conflict. These are no less devastating for the victims.

Advocacy

In disaster situations poor communities are usually the most vulnerable because they do not have the support mechanisms to cope.

Disaster response advocacy is used to lobby governments to fully engage the community in a dialogue on the issues that affect them and to take into account long-term issues, such as loss of livelihood, as well as gender, social and cultural issues. Advocacy helps communities access their rights in their most needy time.

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