Puducherry is located in Tamil Nadu in Southern India. The area majorly lives off agricultural and fishing activities. In 2004, Puducherry was struck by tsunami and suffered heavily. While a large number of people lost their lives in the calamity, many lost their properties and livelihood.
It took time for the city to win over the loss, but with the help of external support, the recovery was quicker than expected. Even though all necessary efforts were made to improve the situation, the problem of Urban Poverty could not be catered to. At present, one fifth of the population in Puducherry lives below the poverty line. They live in slums and are exposed to unhygienic and unsound health conditions. The sanitation levels are also poor in the city.
Following the disaster, a full-fledged SOS Children’s Village was set up in the panoramic campus at Pillayarkuppam, 16 Kilometers from the heart of the Puducherry; 15 SOS Family Homes, Social Centres, Kindergartens, Office Facilities and Staff Quarters were arranged.