On April 14th 2009, the Andhra Pradesh Women Development and Child Welfare Department extended the Integrated Child Development Services to the Internally Displaced tribals in the Bhadrachalam and Palvoncha division in order to combat the rising malnutrition and occurence of poor health in the regions.  In Khammam and Warangal districts, AID supports Agricultural and Social Development Society (ASDS) which has worked on surveying the families, providing humanitarian relief, and helping people apply for ICDS services.  We congratulate them on this positive step and support their struggle to secure services for all.

AID supported humanitarian relief efforts to help fleeing tribals of Chattisgarh, including repatriation of some of them (left pic. is of a displaced woman repatraited)....
Background: The tribals of southern Chhattisgarh experienced severe forms of violence in the conflict between the state armed salwa judum and the maoists/ naxals. They fled to the border areas of Andhra Pradesh and are living under precarious conditions with no land to cultivate, no work to do. The relief work is implemented by ASDS.

Download pdf  |  Read html | Donate to All India Relief Fund of AID

AID supported National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) implementation work (Upadhi Hakkula Sadhana) in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts....  

The government started NREGA work in the month of April.  In the critical months of summer, NREGA made a significant difference: for the first time many families got some payment in their hands, and did not migrate from April – June.  In July 2008, however, the Andhra government halted NREGA work throughout the state.  NREGA did not resume in Andhra Pradesh until February / March 2009. 

Why? Read the NREGA report from AP.

Success stories like a village achieving 100% electrification by fighting bribes, and 50% of hungry children improving in malnutrition grades with help of ragi program, and introducing the haybox, an innovative way to cook rice that saves fuel and time, and at Rs 70 is one the few products that can be made and sold in a village!  Latest from Srikakulam district:  View html   |  Download report

Related Report:  Key observations of NREGA in AP.

Andhra Pradesh (Khammam district) and Chhattisgarh (Dantewada and Bastar district) states share a common boundary which is densely covered by reserve forests. The main dwellers of these forests are Gothikoyas and koyas. These tribes are frequently displaced from their homes due to violence that erupts between Maoists and the state sponsored Salwa Judum  groups. Legally referred to as "Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), they are not provided relief by either of the state governments and have been struggling for survival and basic rights.

NGO: Nisarga
Location: Visakha and Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
Budget: Rs 308000

This project is aimed at facilitating NREGA implementation in Visakha and Srikakulam districts of AP. The NREG Act guarantees 100 day minimum work in one year for every family who registers in this program.

NGO : Aranyika
Location: Madugula mandal, Andhra Pradesh
Budget: Rs 100000

AID has been involved with Aranyika for over six years. During these years Aranyika has been able to support a small team of volunteers who have been working with villagers from 14 different villages in G. Madugula mandal of Andhra Pradesh. Through this project AID will continue its ongoing support for Aranyika's activities.

  NGO Partner : Sahanivasa
  Location : Chitoor, Andhra Pradesh
  Chapters : Duke, RTP
  Budget: $7000 for 2 years. (Disbursed $3500 for Year 1)

This health project is designed to enable people to address various interconnected issues of the health of individuals and community. Ayurvedic Doctors and Herbal medicine experts will instruct, validate existing practices, demonstrate and help in identification, collection and preparation of herbal medicines by women volunteers. Preparation of medicines accompanied by discussion on factors affecting health and nutrition.

Location: Chittoor District Andhra Pradesh
Chapter: Duke
NGO: Sahanivasa 

As a volunteer for AID, I was interested our projects and wondered how the poor people survive in the mileu of hardships and tragedies.  Recently I got to glimpse how tribal communities work for health, education, land rights and integrated development.

NGO: ASDS
Chapters: College Park and Boise
Location: Andhra Pradesh 

Fleeing Salva Judum violence in Chattisgarh, thousands of Gothi Koya tribal families have taken refuge in the neighboring forests of Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh.  AID is working with Agriculture and Social Development Society (ASDS) in Rekhapalli, to help these families survive and secure their basic rights.