The Government of India has stated its interest in IFAD's involvement in the long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction of the livelihoods of the coastal communities of the Tsunami affected areas. This was in view of IFAD's past experience in working in an emergency situation following the Gujarat earthquake of 2001.

    • The project will focus on the medium and long term development needs of coastal communities, rather than the more immediate needs of relief and rehabilitation from the tsunami.
    • The need is now to help build long term livelihoods for the poorer communities in tsunami-effected coastal districts
    • The overall objective (goal) of the project would be to build self-reliant coastal communities, resilient to shocks, and able to manage their livelihood base in sustainable manner.

International Fund of Agricultural Development is an externally aided project.
    • An IFAD project formulation-cum-appraisal mission visited Tamil Nadu from 4 to 21 April 2005 to plan the project and agree on modalities for its implementation with the State Government of Tamil Nadu (GOTN)
    • Covers 6 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu
    • Total cost of the project is Rs.129 Crore ($ 30 million).