EUROPE/AUSTRIA - Missio Austria supports rescue and aid work by Dalit self-help organisation: the poorest of the poor involved in assisting seaquake victims in India

Vienna (Fides Service) - When the December 26 tsunami disaster hit coastal villages in the Tamil Nadu state of India, among the first to offer assistance to the victims were the Dalits, the poorest of the poor, the “untouchables” or people with no caste: the tsunami made no distinction and neither did they. Only hours after the catastrophe members of the CECO’DE, Centre for Community Organisation and Development were in affected villages in the districts of Villupuram and Cuddalore helping to rescue and assist the dazed victims. In a message to missio Austria CECO’DE director Sahaya Raj explained how they work: “State aid promised by the government always takes a long time to reach its destination and not all of it goes to those most in need. Whereas the aid we offer a well tested method used on the occasion of previous calamities is direct, immediate and concrete”. Mission Austria supports the Dalit run Centre for Community Organisation and Development started five years ago which aims, according to the CECO’DE itself, “to help broken people”.
“Precisely people for whom daily life and recognition of rights is a struggle and are among the first to provide help where it is needed” said Missio Austria secretary Christian Mazal. “At the moment CECO’DE Centre for Community Organisation and Development volunteers, men women and young people and medical staff are providing excellent assistance in 52 different villages.”
Missio Austria welcomes contributions to support the work of Dalits: offerings may be sent to the following bank account: PSK-Konto 7015000, Kennwort “Fluthilfe”. For more information see www.missio.at (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 15/01/2005 - 22 righe, 268 parole)