India
Malli Majhi was selected by her community to receive a new home built by CRS as part of a Disaster Risk Reduction Project. Photo by David Snyder for CRS
India has seen substantial economic growth over the years, but millions of its people continue to suffer from severe poverty and malnutrition. Ethnic and religious clashes, seasonal floods, drought, cyclones and violent storms have kept poor people poor. While laws exist to protect women and children, domestic violence is common, children are often forced to work, and instances of women and child trafficking are widely reported.
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Stats
| Population: | 1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.) |
| Size: | 3,287,263 sq km; 1/3 size of United States |
| People Served: | 514,002 (2011 est.) |
History
Catholic Relief Services began working in India in 1946 to provide emergency food relief during the Maharashtra famine. Food donations and other community services continued over the following years to schools, health clinics and child support groups in different areas of the country. CRS continues our education, health, agriculture and emergency programs. In partnership with the local Church, we expanded our reach to respond to natural disasters, political upheaval and the needs of refugees.
Partners
Purvanchal Gramin Seva Samiti (PGSS) is the Diocesan Social Work Society of the Diocese of Gorakhpur, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. PGSS works in the area of health, women's empowerment, disaster risk reduction, child protection and livelihoods. PGSS is also CRS' leave partner in managing the "Sure Start" program that focuses on maternal and neonatal mortality. The project works closely with local communities to improve maternal and newborn health.
