Interfaith Humanitarian Network (IHN)

Disaster Prevention & Relief

Founded under the vision and leadership of HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the Interfaith Humanitarian Network is a Trust to reduce the impact of natural disaster, build bridges to prevent conflicts, and respond in times of crisis.

IHN’s work began as Project Hope, a project of the India Heritage Research Foundation, which was founded by Pujya Swamiji in 2004. Later, Project Hope combined forces with the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, giving rise to the Interfaith Humanitarian Network.

In light of the growing threat of disaster, the mission of IHN is turning to prevention-based capacity development, advocacy, and community building, so that local communities may be better enabled to prevent crises. When unfortunate circumstances do occur, our teams may be found on the scene to provide immediate- and long-term relief interventions.

Major Interventions Have Included:

  • Immediate Interventions:  through evacuation assistance via our convoys of 20 large buses at a time; mass distribution of relief supplies; multiple relief camps within disaster zones and IDP transit points; the region’s only comprehensive, computer-based family reunification services; the provision of clean water; medical assistance for 60,000 people; facilitation of dignified final rights for thousands of the deceased; and continual fact-giving consultations with governmental officials.
  • Medium-Term Interventions:  included the provision of food and supplies to 50 villages for three months; mobile medical assistance; and policy consultations for the sustainable redevelopment of the region, including a large policy conference with the region’s foremost leaders and experts.
  • Long-Term Interventions:  included the rebuilding of schools and community facilities; the provision of vocational training and vocational centres for widows and disadvantaged women in particular; installation of clean water systems and eco-friendly toilets within schools and pilgrimage centres; mass tree plantations to protect water resources while preventing soil erosion and landslides; regular medical camps and services, including for  prosthetic limbs and physical rehabilitation; WASH training; policy consultations, and more.

  • Immediate Interventions:  through medical teams, relief supply trucks, the provision of clean water, and other humanitarian measures.
  • Long-Term Interventions:  included direct rebuilding assistance; WASH consultations and education; women’s and children’s vocational training assistance; the provision of medical services; and the complete rebuilding of a temple.

  • Short and Medium-Term Interventions: included the provision of direct humanitarian aid and medical assistance immediately after the crisis.
  • Long-Term Interventions:  included construction of an orphanage, school, medical clinic, women’s vocational training centre, the complete construction of 100 homes, and the renovation of a residential centre for widows and disadvantaged women in Tamil Nadu.

  • Interventions included: a targeted Interfaith Unity March and Peace Programme at the peak of the riots, in the heart of the riot area, with participants including foremost Muslim, Hindu and Jain leaders; as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Other Major Relief Interventions Included: the Gujarat, India Earthquake (2001), the Orissa, India Super-Cyclone Disaster (1999), the Chamoli, India Earthquake (1999) and the Uttarakashi, India Earthquake Disaster (1991), and more.

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