May 28, 2010: Two years after the anti-Christian violence rendered them homeless, Christians in Kandhamal's Baliguda region will now have a roof over their heads.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief (EFICOR) is currently building about 337 houses in that region.

Baliguda like other adjacent blocks witnessed severe violence in the aftermath of VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati's murder.

EFICOR was involved in providing relief for over 6000 families in Kandhamal. The Orissa Government had invited EFICOR to participate in the reconstruction as well as peace process.

The Government significantly had authorized EFICOR to distribute materials worth Rs.10,000/- for reconstruction of partially damaged houses and Rs.30,000/- for fully damaged houses.

Additionally, EFICOR is providing materials required for reconstruction i.e., bricks, sand, cement and A.C sheets for the victims to reconstruct their houses. EFICOR’s three volunteers assess material requirements and ensure proper delivery of materials to the affected families.

"Out of the total 337 houses to be constructed in the Baliguda Block, 65 houses have been completed so far. The reconstruction work first started in Budrukia and Medikia Gram Panchayats (GPs) are progressing well towards completion, while other GPs i.e., Bata Guda, Sindri Gaon and Kutikia, the work has commenced," said Sanjeev Kumar Bhanja, Director of Programmes for EFICOR.

Construction work will also be soon commencing in Sudra, Barkhama and Baliguda GPs, he added.

Towards establishing peace, EFICOR is supporting the Antaranga (Intimacy) Peace Initiative through a consortium of seven local NGOs including Action Aid.

The consortium has been enabling communities to resolve their conflicts through socio-cultural activities such as peace meeting in the villages, organizing rallies, theaters, sports events, and development programmes.

The Antaranga peace process, according to Bhanja, has gained popularity especially with the involvement and support of the District Administration.

During the 2008 violence, Hindu extremists reportedly destroyed 500 churches, 126 Christian shops and 5,000 homes leaving 50,000 people homeless. Christian schools and hostels were also attacked. (Dibin Samuel, Christian Today)