Tsunami- Relief and Restoring Livelihoods & Habitats

DHAN Foundation Initiatives - Update 2

December 29, 2004

This is the second update on the coastal situation especially on the Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Thirukalukundram area. While rescue and relief work of Kalanjiam people are on the highest tune and priority, Yesterday’s information from these areas adds that about 2000kg of rice and cash donation up to Rs 50,000 have been kept in reserve in support of the ongoing relief work. Majority of these have been getting distributed to villages out of easy reach and also as getting relief work at these places is slow and insufficient. Also coastal people are returning back to their villages but only to find their houses in shambles. Exact calculation of losses in Kalanjiam and other families is being collected through a quick survey in villages surrounding Thirukalukundram where people have now started returning.

Information from Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari has also been received. The local NGO in Kanyakuamri feel that the toll estimate is as high as in Nagapattinam area but the reports released gave lower estimates and added that clothes & blankets needs are high, as edible needs are taken care by government departments in the district.

In villages most affected surrounding Thirukalukundram, it is believed that at least 3 months time may be required to get back a somewhat normal life as the fisherman community has to reorganize their occupational life. In interviews with the affected fisherman, it was told they would think of taking up fishing only after 2 or 3 months as the sea is still rough. It seems they also hesitate to continue their living in the devastated location. Most of them have lost their nets. The boats suffered heavy damages. They will not be able to get back to fishing unless they take up repairs of their damaged boats. About 25% of the boats are beyond repair. They have to  go in for purchase of new boats. All the families have to procure new nets as most of the nets can not be repaired. If we fail to reach out to them at the earliest, the money lenders and traders are going to step in. In which case, the entire fishermen community is going to be bonded to the money lenders and traders for a long time from now. We should not allow this to happen. Needs of orphaned children and disabled persons are also found to be a major concern in this period along with rebuilding the destroyed houses in a safer place and in a safer style. In the survey work started by Kalanjiam federation Thirukalkundram , these needs have also been taken into account. Taking into account above matters, an emergency fund of 25 lakh rupees is in urgent need. The findings of the first round survey will be reported by first week of January 2005.