India

A woman collects a food parcel that will help her family through the harsh winter in Kashmir, India [Caritas India]

India is home to a sixth of the world’s population – home to 1.1 billion people and is the world’s largest democracy

Floods and droughts plague different parts of the country every year. CAFOD’s focus in India is to support relief and rehabilitation work after such disasters.

The region of Kashmir in the north straddles both Pakistan and India and is separated by a line of control.

Since the 1980s the Indian-administered northern state of Jammu and Kashmir has been fraught with increasing insecurity and conflict. Widespread violence against civilians still exists in Srinagar and the Kashmir valley.

On 26 December 2004, a massive tsunami devastated the southern states of India and outlying Andaman and Nicobar islands. More than 10,250 people were killed and more than 70,000 were made homeless.

Nine months later, a massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the Kashmir region on 8 October 2005. More than 1,400 died in India alone and more than 150,000 people left homeless.

section highlights

Key challenges Tackling shelter, destruction of livelihoods, education, healthcare, and water

Encouraging unity and diversity Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo explains how India's unity and diversity is a lesson for the world, and expresses gratitude for the international support following the tsunami

Proving another life is possible Reverend Father Frederick D’Souza of Caritas India explains how rebuilding the emotional state of those affected by a disaster is just as important as rebuilding their homes

latest updates elsewhere on www.cafod.org.uk

Helping survivors in Haiti & India CAFOD has pledged £150,000 so far to help thousands of people affected by the hurricanes in Haiti and floods in India

Haiti & India: CAFOD's response (305.50 kB) Exploring the stories of those affected by the devastating disasters in August 2008. Includes a prayer and suggestions for hymns

Christians forced to flee after attacks in India The CIDSE network, of which CAFOD is a member, is calling for “immediate action” to end ongoing violence in Orissa, eastern India