August 18-22, Tamilnadu, India

INTRODUCTION Post tsunami initiatives across South Asia have taken a long journey from recovery to development, and are now focusing on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Initiatives and responses from grassroots communities have reached a new level whereby policy makers, government institutions and experts are recognizing the efforts and skills of the community.

In this context Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), on behalf of GROOTS International, facilitated a learning exchange between grassroots communities from Sri Lanka and India. This exchange took place in the districts of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu from August 17th to 22nd 2008. The learning exchange gave an opportunity for grassroots women to share their learning, initiatives and best practices in rebuilding resilience among communities.

Participants included grassroots leaders representing Kanta Rana Arunalu Society of Moratuwa, Jayashakti Forum of Matara, and the Mayor of Matara, Sri Lanka. Hosting the exchange and sharing their initiatives in were the women's ASHAA groups and Mahakalsams, Tamilnadu and the Sakhi Federations from Maharashtra. Visits were organized to Swayam Shikshan Prayog, Covenant Centre for Development (CCD), and Rural Organisation for Social Education (ROSE) located in tsunami hit communities in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts of Tamilnadu from August 18th to 22nd 2008. The visits and exchange gave an opportunity for grassroots women's groups and federations to share their learning, initiatives and best practices in livelihoods, building community infrastructure, greening, and most importantly in strengthening their groups , societies and Federations.

PURPOSE OF THIS EXCHANGE

This exchange was part of a larger ongoing effort for rebuilding communities in Moratuwa and Matara in Sri Lanka by Sevanatha Urban Resource Centre in collaboration with local authorities. The Centering Women in Reconstruction and Governance (CWRG) Sri Lanka Project has strengthened grassroots women's participation and leadership as a core objective. Grassroots women have responded with enthusiasm and been facilitated by the local NGO - Sevanatha and partners ICSC, GROOTS International, Building Without Borders for over two years. This exchange provided a platform for community groups and local authorities from Sri Lanka and India to share their initiatives in disaster recovery linked to development and to make plans for the future.

Kasturi, an accomplished GROOTS community enterprise trainer, remarked in surprise, "Moratuwa women groups were not confident to start activities, when we met them a year ago. But now, they have accomplished six years of progress and have plans to achieve in six years what they had initially planned for the next ten years."

Full report of this visit is available at: http://www.disasterwatch.net