Proving another life is possible

Reverend Father Frederick D’Souza, assistant executive director of Caritas India [Marsha Pereira]

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

To the outside world, the statistics of suffering from an earthquake are often the biggest focus, but these figures do not start and end with the disaster itself.

Coming to terms with devastation on such a huge scale can be a difficult process for survivors, as they try hard to leave the memories behind and start a new future.

CAFOD partner, Caritas India has been providing emotional support for communities ravaged by the Asia quake back in October 2005.

Reverend Father Frederick D’Souza, assistant executive director, has been specifically working with local communities in the Baramulla and Uri districts of Kashmir, where thousands were killed by the disaster, and many more left with nothing.

To compound these problems already faced by the relief effort, the region continues to be a battleground for control between its neighbours India and Pakistan, with the local communities often caught in the middle.

Alleviating depression

Father D’Souza notes that the drawn-out conflict coupled with the earthquake disaster has left a kind of “depression” among the people, to the extent that suicide rates are at a worryingly high level.

To alleviate this depression, Caritas India is especially supporting women and young people in the area, trying to instil in them a hope and confidence that another life outside the conflict is possible.

Father D’Souza says: “A great effort has been made to involve the local community in trying to build networks and awareness of key issues, such as being better prepared to deal with similar disasters in the future with confidence.

“Becoming dependent on external aid and assistance instead of looking to use their own resources and skills is a false sense of generosity, where the people no longer have a sense of dignity.

“Building the trust of the community and involving better community participation is the key to enabling people to work side by side with Caritas India and our diocesan partners.

Education and health

Two of the key practical areas which can help grow this confidence are education and health.

The damage done by the earthquake left schooling in the area as virtually non-existent, but Father D’Souza says the provision of “non-formal” education for both boys and girls, along with a supply of teaching books, has been greatly appreciated.

“This has allowed for our partner to deal directly with the needs of parents in the community, which has also helped immensely in building up the local trust of the community in the ongoing work.”

Prior to the earthquake, the hospital in Baramulla, run by the FMM sisters order, was not working to its full potential.

However, Caritas India has helped to rejuvenate the hospital by providing health care through mobile health units and health camps.

Father D’Souza says: “Before, access to the hospital was difficult, especially for young women, children and the elderly, because of the great distances involved and difficult terrain.

“But now, instead of local people having to make the lengthy journey to Baramalla, health care services are able to make their way to the outlying hamlets and villages with qualified medical staff and medicine on board.

“It has made a huge difference for communities in most need of medical attention, as well as supporting those needing to be taken to a hospital to receive suitable treatment there.”

Being able to interact so closely with all members of the community, whether it be parents, children, or those needing healthcare, builds strong links between the partners and the people of the region – who are now beginning to feel that their future can be a brighter one.

Father D’Souza says: “The feedback from local people shows how they value the work of the local partner. This I find encouraging, and lies at the heart of the success of the programme in which active participation of the community is key.”

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