|
Tsunami- Relief and Restoring Livelihoods & Habitats DHAN Foundation Initiatives - Update 12 February 10-25, 2005 1. Velankanni 1.1Keelaiyur block The team recently entered into a new village named P.R. Puram and initiated works. The team has identified the agriculture intervention as the main activity in the village. Renovation of farm ponds by the people occupies the first priority. Community OrganisationThe team has formed one farmers group (Vayalagam) in P.R.Puram village and three women’s group (Kalanjiams) in Pudupalli and Manalmedu village. The team has organized a meeting of all the groups in Pudupalli village and identified the need of a common bridge (wooden) between the two hamlets of Pudupalli village, which was damaged by the tsunami backwater. It would be a great help for the school children and other village people by saving their valuable time, or else they have to travel 4 km distance to reach South Pudupalli from North Pudupalli. The team has till date formed 32 farmers groups and 3 women’s groups and is aiming to reach 50 Vayalagams in the block. 1.2 Vedaranyam block Our team has formed six farmers group and one women group in Ramakrishnapuram, Keelaaranmanithottam, Kolitheevu, Maniantheevu and Pushpavanam (Women group) villages. In Pushpavanam village the team members conducted a cluster level meeting of the groups, (The cluster consists of twelve farmers groups and three women groups). This was one of the remarkable incidents in developing path towards the federation promotion. 1.3 Thalainairu block Community organization In Thalainairu block 18 farmers groups and one Micro finance group was formed by the team. Most of the affected people now fall in the newly promoted groups. Till date the team has formed 11 farmers group in Naluvedapathy village, three in Vanavanmahadevi and four each in Kovilpathu and Vellapallam village. One Micro finance group was formed at Vellapallam village. The team has organized farmers in Kovilpathu village and has formed 4 farmers groups. Agriculture The desilting of drainage channel works is in progress in the North Sallikulam, Kameswaram and P.R.Puram villages. As a part of land reclamation process, the team with the community support and co-operation in Manalmedu village has initiated the scrapping of top layer sludge deposited by tsunami sea water in the agricultural lands. The team has rendered assistance to the community of Vellapallam village in pond desilting work by organizing people and providing oil-engines for pumping out the water. Relief works The team has distributed 84 boxes of fortified nutrition biscuits provided from the World Food Programme and 480 toilet kits provided by HLL. These were distributed to 12 farmers groups in Pudupally village, 25 boxes of biscuits for pregnant women and children below 5 years and 140 toilet kits to seven farmers groups In Vilunthamavady, Periyakutagai and Motandithoppu villages the kits were distributed through the farmers or women groups. The team also has identified water scarcity as one of the main issues in the block and assisted for the laying of hand pumps in Draupathi Amman Koil Street, in Pudupalli and Manaian theevu village. Now 150 families get good drinking water in these villages. Expansion of the working areas and activities The team has explored new areas such as P.R.Puram in Keelaiyur block Motandi thoppu, Manian theevu, Poovan thoppu, and Koli thoppu villages of Vedaranyam block. The data like total damages in the villages, number of households affected, extend of agricultural land affected, etc are being collected by the team. 2. Seerkali - Kollidam 2.1 Kollidam block Relief activities Seerkali team has entered into 3 new villages ie, Thoduvai, Vettankudi and Kodiyampalayam villages. Thoduvai is a fishermen village with 861 houses. The death reported in the village is 56. The village is severely affected by tsunami with a lot of damages to the livestocks and houses. The community didn’t receive any relief support for last two weeks. So, the team went for a survey to find out the needs and based on the assessment with the community, 861 kits of grocery and rice were distributed to the villagers. Toilet kits provided by HLL were also distributed along with this @ 3 packets per family. Kodiyampalayam village is having more than 400 households, which were severely affected by tsunami with a death toll of 23. Fishermen are the most affected in this village. Relief measures were not much concentrated to this village as it is an isolated island. 45 families were mostly affected in the village and are literally left with nothing. Out of them 28 families are in need of new houses. The team has decided to go on with it and the construction will be completed by the end of this month itself. The team would supply relief materials such as rice and groceries to these severely affected 45 families. Biscuit distribution is continuing in a systematic manner and till date in 566 families in Palayar village, 522 families in Dargas, 361 families in Madavamedu, 201 families in Kottaimedu and 120 families in Chinnakottaimedu have received the biscuits. In Palayar village the school building was totally damaged by the tsunami waves. The community is demanding for the reconstruction of the same for which they expressed their willingness to provide the land. In the same village the team has identified 3 orphans and 2 persons whose leg was fractured in the tsunami. The team has planned to provide long-term support to them. The fracture of the injured had developed in to a swelling and got septic and admitted to hospital. They were aged 55 and 23. The team taken them to hospital and took X-ray and scanning. For the orphans the government has awarded compensation, which could be taken only after attaining 18 years. The team is planning to sponsor for their education till their attainment of majority. Livelihood All villages in the Palayar and Thandavnkulam panchayat are severely affected. More than 100 boat engines were damaged. A boat-engine workshop was started near the Thandvankulam panchayat office on 18-2-2005. Local mechanics were identified and they are repairing the boats & engines. The tools of the mechanics were lost in the tsunami wave. Hence, the tools are supplied as a relief material with a condition that they should repay the amount within a period of 2 years. So far 13 boat engines repair works are completed. Community organization Group meetings of the self-help groups formed were convened in Chinnakottaimedu, Koolayar, Kottaimedu and Dargas. In the monthly meeting all the groups discussed about savings and started collecting Rs. 10/- as savings per month. Two new Kalanjiams (Women micro finance groups) were formed in Palayar village. Agriculture works In Dargas village the team had made a study on the effect of tsunami on agriculture as the area was highly affected. The waves has demolished the shutters in the field & drainage channels and sea water has entered into the fields and affected the soil to a great extend. The shutters have to be repaired immediately. 2.2 Seerkali block Relief materials In Pudukuppam village horlicks bottles were given to 28 families (who have milk feeding children). New school uniforms were supplied to 24 school going children in Pudukuppam village. Agriculture In Kuntharimedu village, the sea water affected top soil crusts were removed from 5 acres of land. The channel of 200 m length was desilted. 3 acres of damaged paddy were cut and removed. In total 65 man days was generated. In Veeramettiruppu village, 1 farm pond work was completed Channel desilting work for 500 m is completed. 5 acres of damaged paddy crops were cut and removed with community participation. In total 80 man days was generated. In Kadaikadu village, one farm pond desilting work was completed. The work has provided 66 man-days to community. Revetment work in the pond will be started. Livelihood In the block 16 boat engine works were completed. SHG Formation One Kalanjiam group is formed at Nayakarkuppam 3.Thirukalukundram Relief activities In Kovalakuppam village the non fishing families were also identified as affected ones and our team provided rice to them. Distribution of revolving fund for newly formed Kalanjiams (Women groups consisting only of Widows) for their livelihood (dry fish selling and purchasing) is in the progress. In Meyur Kuppam, Devaneri, Kokilamedu, Uyyali and Venpurusham kuppam villages the team distributed relief package containing 10 kg rice and Groceries for two months utensils etc. In Sadras Kuppam relief package distributed consists of Horlicks, Boost, dates etc to the community. Livelihood In Meyurkuppam village 28 FRP boats repairing works are completed. The team has distributed 8 Lakhs worth of 2000 kg nets to the fishermen. In Sadraskuppam village 22 FRB Boats and 5 engines were repaired. In Pudupattinamkuppam village, 30 engine repairing works were completed. Rs.1000/- was distributed for each members of the Kalanjiam group formed among the widows as working capital for their day fish sales. In Mamallapuramkuppam 13 boats were repaired and 58 engines dismantled for repairing. Kalanjiams (SHGs) Two more new SHGs were formed in Meyurkuppam village. The team had interacted with the fishermen community and is in the process of forming a fishermen group. 3 women SHGs are newly formed in Sadraskuppam village and interaction with community is going on for forming fishermen group. In Pudupattinam kuppam village 3 SHG’s were formed for widows. 10 fishermen group and 4 women SHG’s were formed in Mamallapuram kupam. 4. Ramnad & Tuticorin Ramnad & Tuticorin team is concentrated fully on the institution building activities in the tsunami affected areas. The team is currently engaged in the formation of fishermen marketing groups in Munthal and Rojmanagar. 5. Cuddalore 5.1 Cuddalore block Survey Data collection for Suba Uppalavadi and Nanamedu has been done. In Thalanguda village the data collection is in progress. Agriculture The team has decided to intervene in agriculture area in Devanampatinam village to discuss with the non-fishermen community who were engaged in agricultural activities. As per the need assessment done in Suba uppalavadi village the preference was given for rehabilitation of drinking water well and land reclamation. In Nanamedu village land reclamation and pump set engine repair are in the priority areas whereas for Thalanguda the priority is for catamarans repair & purchase of nets. Livelihood In Sothikuppam, 55 engines out of 69 have been repaired. The team has planned to start a boat repairing unit in Sothikuppam village after the completion of the engine repairs. Similar boat repair works will be started simultaneously in Chittiraipettai and Kurunjipadi block. Community organization The team will be initiating the community organization in this block with the help of the local associates. 5.2. Parnagipettai block Survey The newly appointed local associates are doing household survey of all the villages. By discussing with the village committee the need assessment is being done. The villages visited by the team are Chinnavaikkal, V. Pudupettai, M.G.R.Thittu and Pillumedu. Relief activities The team has distributed the relief materials in Indranagar village. School kits are distributed to Jawahar Primary School students in Indranagar. Livelihood 15 boat engines are repaired completely in Chinoor north village and 3 boats have been repaired in Madavapuram village. The team has planned to start a boat repairing and engine repairing unit in Indranagar, Chinnor north and Chinnor south villages and Catamaran repairs in Madavapallam village. All these works are decided to be done with community participation where the community will be contributing 40 to 50% of the total repair cost. SHG formation The team will start SHG formation in all these villages and the team is expecting to form around 30 groups by the end of February. The team will also form a primary marketing group for widows in Madavapallam. 5.3 Kurunjipadi block Survey The team did a survey in the block to assess the need and came out with the following ie, a community hall, women sanitary complex, cyclone safe shelter in Annanpanpettai, Redaiarpettai, Iyyampettai, and Maniarapettai villages. Relief In Annanpettai village school kits were distributed to 100 school going children up to sixth standard. HLL toilet kits were distributed to 250 families in this village. Livelihood In Chittiraipettai the team is about to carry out the boat repairing works and is exploring the scope of peoples contribution for the same. Boat & engine repair work was started in the Annanpanpettai, Rediarpettai and Ayyampettai with people’s contribution towards labour charge, diesel, kerosene, lathe and nozzle services. 6. Pondicherry In Pondicherry area most of the NGO’s have left, so the team has again assessed the needs of the people for their livelihood promotion. The team here is working with convergence with the Government department in assessing the damages and finding out the needs of the community. The team met the Joint director of Fisheries & Fishermen Welfare and discussed in detail. The team is also in the process of recruiting local eligible candidates to support the initiatives. 7. Karaikal Relief activities Construction of twelve houses and one Balwadi in Akkaravattam village is completed. Livelihood In Karaikal a boat-repairing centre was started with the community participation in Kilinjalmedu village. The community themselves took charge of the management of the repairing centre. The repair works for engine started in the full swing. 8.0 Field Visit by Expert teams8.1 Vayalagam Tankfed Agriculture Development Programme TeamThe team members comprising of Prof. C.R.Shanmugham, R. Venkatasamy and J. Kanagavalli of Vayalagam (Tankfed Agriculture Development Programme) visited Nagapattinam and Karaikal during 9-11th February 2005. The purpose of the visit was to assess the damages to the water bodies / courses and to evolve (through a participatory process) the remedial measures for taking up rehabilitation work in these water bodies. The team met the Government and local authorities, attended the meeting at Collectorate convened by the NGO co-ordination cell on agriculture and land based relief activities. Then they also visited the farm ponds and the areas where land reclamation activities are taken up. As a follow up the local teams are collecting accurate data on the water bodies & courses and the affected ones. The revenue village maps, field measurement book sketches, etc are being collected. The team suggested the farmers to raise only salt tolerant crops in the salt affected lands and that the land has to be cultivated immediately after the leaching process. There is a possibility of lands getting affected again due to rising of salts during dry season in case the leaching is not done properly. The team made a remark that the activities undertaken presently undertaken are cost effective and beneficial. 8.2 Rainfed Agriculture Development TeamMr. M. Palanisamy and his team visited coastal villages in Velankanni. An assessment was made on the damages in the agricultural lands. During the field visit the team discussed with farmers & labourers and undertook PRA exercises to evolve the remedial measures. The team also interacted with the officers in Agricultural department and other resource persons. Subsequently a note on agricultural land reclamation was prepared and circulated to the field team members for follow up. A proposal was developed for land & channel reclamation and submitted to the District Collector. In Akkaraipettai village the team also coordinated the visit of Tata Relief Committee regarding the construction of permanent houses and community shelters. Interaction with the Panchayat Presidents, local Government Officials, etc was convened for assessing the damages. In order to assess the needs of the affected community and to plan for the habitat development, PRA exercise was carried. In the meeting with the District Collector, the alternate lands for construction of permanent houses were discussed in detail. As a follow up, the Collector has sent letter to the Secretary for obtaining permission for the above said lands. The representative of HUDCO, New Delhi, also joined the team during the field visit. 8.3 Field visit by the IT4P team Information & Communication Technologies for Coastal Communities (ICT4CC) The team members of the Information Technology for Poor Programme took intensive field visits and have explored the possibility of setting up (Thagavalagams) Village Information Centres in the coastal villages. As a first step the villages have been finalized and local volunteers have also been identified. Two Community Colleges are proposed to be started; one each at Velankanni and Karaikal. This Community College would provide the initial training for the volunteers to manage the Thagavalagams and the training is for a period of 42 days. It is proposed to set up 75 Thagavalagams in the 10 coastal districts and would be managed through 7 locations. It is proposed to provide the following services to the coastal communities through the Thagavalagams
On 23.02.2005 the Community College at Velanakanni was inaugurated and the training has started. A similar college was started at Karaikal on 25.03.2005. Status as on 10th February 2005
Water bodies renovation work
Land reclamation works
Marine Fisheries Infrastructure Development
|