India has recently witnessed terror attacks in several cities, which put pressure on central and state governments. The country has also faced difficulties as a result of the global financial crisis.
In January 2009, the Forest Rights Act finally came into force, a year after it was originally passed. This act gives forest dwellers the right to claim legal possession of the land they have lived on and cultivated for generations. Concern helped more than 100,000 households in 2,475 villages stake their claims for recognition of their individual and community rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Concern's work in India
Concern has been working in India since 1999 in the areas of livelihoods, HIV and AIDS, and emergencies.
- LIVELIHOODS—Helping 10,000 households increase their income through access to credit and training on sustainable farming methods
- HIV and AIDS—Building support networks for people living with HIV and AIDS, and raising awareness of the disease among young people in urban and rural areas
EMERGENCY—Bringing water, food, shelter and urgently-needed relief supplies to 21,000 families affected by three separate flooding incidents
India at a Glance
Area: 3,287,000 sq km
Population: 1,134.4 m
GDP per capita: $2,753
Infant mortality (per thousand births): 49
Life expectancy: 63.4
Living with HIV and AIDS: 2.4 m
Literacy rate: 66%
Access to safe water: 89%
Human development rank: 134 (out of 182)
Global hunger rank/index*: 65 / 23.9