 TSUNAMI RELIEF AND REHABILITATION WORK REPORT BY SRED
February 5, 2005
The Tsunami Relief Work team (Society for Rural Education and Development and Nine districts level working groups) met and discussed in detail about the Relief Work done among the Tsunami affected people in 9 districts. A detail report on funds received and how it has been spent was reported to everyone.
At the district level each one appreciated and commented on the relief measures taken through SRED team and thanked friends who distributed the Relief Work
In Kancheepuram district Kottaikadu , Panaiyur kuppam Dalit women were involved in fishing. Dalit women were involved in catching prawns in backwaters. Now Dalits are left without any job. A Dalit woman Selvamany lost her house. The Dalits were sent to a government school at Kadapakkam to stay after Tsunami. There was caste discrimination by fisher folk saying Dalits are not affected. No relief work should be given.
Komala the activist involved in Relief Work with SRED reported, saying that through SRED’s relief work 460 families in her area got benefited. She said that she gave it to affected people and especially to women. The relief material went directly to affected people not to the leaders who exploited the situation.
Women commented saying “they have eaten for the day”. Komala was happy that the relief materials went to grass root and the affected people. In this area people were protesting against aqua culture and for the demonstration women were wearing sarees given with the relief material.
“I went looking for friends, eight of them who went to Velankani on the fateful day. Their bodies were washed away. I collected these bodies and remained very selfish, afterwards I changed my attitude and helped others to remove many bodies” said Visuvasam, one of our collective member from Dindugal.
He witnessed after the Tsunami there are men steeling away bikes of others and one man pretended as husband to a woman’s bodies because of the gold she was wearing when the real husband came it was revealed that he is a fake and people beaten him up.
Around 100,000 acres of land is salinated and it has to be desalinated.
Tharangampadi Taluk more people were died and more got affected.
Donars approached him with medicine worth of 2 million rupees. They wanted that to be certified. When they went to the Collectorate it was a disappointment, they were not well received and not certified. The medicine came from US.
Subbiya from Pondicherry said, Tsunami is the challenge to the Scientist. Subbiya was helping SRED team to distribute Relief Materials to 310 families affected in the fisher villages near Pondicherry.
He appreciated SRED workers staying in the affected villages and assessed the needs of the people. Subbiya felt deeply because of existing feudal value with the fisher folk that where ever he went. Temple was the main place where relief materials collected and distributed. He appreciated SRED team for distributing relief materials to 40 Dalit families in Alamedupattu, but he was disappointed in the press that same communities reported saying that they did not receive any help from anyone.
The contradiction between Fisher folk and Dalits are very visible after the Tsunami. When the relief materials were given the affected people were happy and touched the materials by hands and felt it because the value of the material was in good standard. Dalits were not permitted to fish in the villages near where the fisher folks lived. They were sent away.
Pondicherry alone 630 families were given relief materials. It is not fisher folks alone affected by Tsunami but Dalits and Irulas, who were assisting the fisher folks. Subbiya was telling the group that we should not sharpen the contradictions between fisher folks and Dalits, but help both of them.
Rasaram who worked among fisher folks, reported that 18 children died from his dropout centers. He has 11 dropout centers. He also felt very sorry that his staff member she had only one child, which she lost during Tsunami. With his team he collected the dead bodies and piled them up at the bus stop in his village. 46 Dalits died from his area. He appreciated that SRED relief material given were good and he was happy that new cloths were distributed. Along with SRED team he distributed relief materials to 1468 families in his area. Rasaram is happy that the material given benefited Dalit villages in this area. Dalits were kept 50 km away from the relief camp where the other community was staying. Even temporary shelters were not given to all Dalits. If at all given two Dalit families where put in one shelter, but others got their own shelters.
Subbiya intervened said at Parankipettai a very big Muslim marriage was about to take place on the Tsunami day. 100 Muslim youths stopped the wedding and saved the people from Tsunami, brought them to the wedding hall, fed them with food that was cooked for the wedding. Every one appreciated the Muslim youths for their service.
Palaverkadu in Tiruvallur District Tsunami affected villagers three women Sagunthala and two other women reported how they have been affected by Tsunami and 500 families in 13 Islands are still not received any support from the government. SRED team went to the Island by the boats and distributed relief materials to them.
Ponrasu from Tuticorin said 450 Tsunami affected Dalit families received relief materials from SRED. The Dalits do not go far fishing. But they are affected by Tsunami because of back water entered their houses. They have lost limestone kiln. So they are now without any work. All the shells they collected to produce lime was washed away by the Tsunami.
In Cuddalore district relief material were given to Dalits, and Vasu reported that the reactions from the faces of the women when they got relief materials that he will never forget.
Komala works at Kalpakkam. She went to visit the Tsunami affected people with her husband. Her husband’s cycle washed away. When she went back home people stole everything. Through Komala in Raja Nagar 92 school children got school bags, notebooks, uniforms from SRED team. Relief Materials were distributed by our team in Poyakarai, Raja Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar and in Puthupattinam.
From Karaikkal, Murthy reported saying that 250 people died in one village and 200 in another village. Water about 4 feet entered in Dalit villages. Dalits removed dead bodies. 1000 families received relief materials from SRED team. Murthy was saying that there is still a kind of “fear of death”, among people and one child lost her speech because of the shock.
Saraswathi from Chennai mentioned about how the owners of the huts which is rented out to fisher folks, received the benefits from the government than the real affected people. Wherever relief materials given by government an example 100 bags of rice is given only 40 bags went to the people. The political parties and government bureaucrats take the rest away. Wherever relief fund were distributed she observed that temporary liquor shops emerged.
Shanthi from SRED team said that government brought relief materials in Villupuram district dumped them in one place. Where as our team stayed at the relief camps with people and assessed the needs and distributed materials accordingly.
Egambaram of SRED team distributed 310 packets to Irulas families at M.G.R. Thittu in Chidamparam, where 5 people died including 54 year old Venkatesan and five year baby. Their bodies could not be traced.
Those who are the owner of the boats, they received relief money from the government; where as those who hired the boat and worked on the boat did not receive any benefit from government. It is the rich owners benefits only than the poor fisher folks.
It was decided by all the district collective members along with SRED team to request for more support from friends in and outside the country.
A proposal has been prepared according to the need assessment done in each district by all the members.
Please we need more support.
Try to raise funds for the Tsunami Affected people.
Thanking you,
Burnad Fatima. N.
TSUNAMI RELIEF WORK BY SRED III AND IV PHASE REPORT The devastation caused by Tsunami in Tamil Nadu is unimaginable. Thousands have been drowned and several fisher folk villages were deluged. Tsunami has exposed the disparity between the North and the South. The technological development of the North has failed to indicate the catastrophe and the aftermath of Tsunami. Tamil Nadu the worst affected after the Andaman and the Nicobar Islands have recorded more than 12,500 deaths and unaccountable number of missing persons. Lack of emergency communications device have caused much damage and the failure of the System to alert Delhi and the Indian Air Force base at Nicobar Islands did the rest of the Catastrophe. In Tamil Nadu the situation is very grave. The State government has already taken rehabilitation work but not quickly. The National flag flew at half mast and two minute silence was observed all over Tamil Nadu 12 th January as a mark of tribute for those who lost their lives in the December 26 th Tsunami. The State Government is in full swing in providing relief and rehabilitation to the affected. Many NGOs have come forward to assist in rehabilitation. The earlier report on the relief and rehabilitation carried out by SRED has already been narrated in details. As a continuation, a brief is given below. KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICTOn 10 th January, SRED team visited a few villages of Kancheepuram District. The team visited Raja Nagar where Dalits did not receive any help from the government. During Tsunami the seawater entered the houses and people fearing their life ran away to Chengalpattu and stayed in a school. 86 families received Relief Materials. Minority Community helped the Dalits to get relief materials. SRED team supplied uniform, school bags and notebook, material to the children very soon. During Tsunami the Dalits helped the local Administration. Dalit families had to remove dead bodies washed by the backwater. Temporary shed has been provided for fisher folks. But the same has been denied to the Dalits even though they lost, they were not allowed and they were staying outside the camps. All the relief materials provided by the government have invariably distributed among the fisher folk and the spill over only reached the Dalit Community in spite of equal damage suffered by them. At Ambedkar Nagar, Pallavan Nagar, Indira Nagar and Ilayanarkuppam (12.1.05) near Kalpakkam reach SRED and the relief materials were distributed to them. The families of these villages living near the backwater ran away and returned to witness the ravage unleashed by Tsunami on the next day. They were immensely happy to receive relief materials from the SRED workers. Reports from the Media indicated that there was some damage and loss of life in and around Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant. Paniyur PeriyakuppamThe Paniyur Periyakuppam (17.1.05) gave shelter to 255 fishermen families. The Tsunami trampled their life and shattered the dreams threw their life in to misery. The Tsunami as swallowed the fishing nets, boats and catamarans Sivakolunthu, Machakolunthu a few to mention lost their life and many have left injured. The government death relief was given to them. The Government has promised to put up temporary shelters to 110 families. Each at the cost of Rs. 8000/. But people demand a permanent settlement. The fear psychosis caused by Tsunami prevent fisher folk to venture into sea. SRED besides giving psychological counseling also distributed household utensils, food materials and clothing to 120 families. Meyyurkuppam another fishing hamlet was the beneficiary of SRED where 86 families given relief materials on January 12 th. An adjacent Meyyur Poigaikarai Colony where SRED distributed relief materials to 65 families on the same day. Kottaikadu , Kadapakkam and Alamarakuppam of Kanchipuram District received benefits from SRED. 120 families of Kottaikadu, 53 families of Kadapakkam and 30 families of Alamarakuppam were distributed with the relief materials. About 150 families of Marakkanam Odai, Vengupattu, Kadapakkam and Kottaikadu were distributed with relief materials on second round to help people to come out of their fear of December 26 th. Household utensils, hosieries, clothing were distributed. These Dalit villages were left from the reach of relief and rehabilitation by the State Machineries. People were happy to the responses of SRED to their pain and grief. On 18 th January six families who were not been taken care by any agencies were reached by SRED and relief materials were distributed to them. On 21.1.05 SRED team relief materials were distributed to 110 Dalit families Kolathur village in Kancheepuram district. They catch prawn, fish from the sea backwater and sell it near by villages. After Tsunami they could not go to work because they affected. The same time a private company is planning to start a big prawn farm near the village. So they build big wall near the backwater. Nearly 15 surrounding village people are protesting against the company. Tamil Nadu Dalit Women’s Movement is leading this protest. KARAIKKAL DISTRICT The Karaikkal District of Pondicherry Union Territory witnessed heavy loss of life. The Dalit Community living off shore lost their belongings and the flow of seawater into the cultivable land resulted in loss of crops and the land became salinated. It may take a minimum of 20 years for the reclamation of the land. At Paravaipet village Dalits living near the garbage dumping ground their shelter to the swelling sea water. At T.R. Pattinam near Karaikal out of 260 Dalit families, 40 were affected. Tsunami gulped 220 and their bodies were found in this village. Dalits in spite of loss of their dear ones helped in burying the dead ones in the village. All the boats, catamarans and iceboxes were thrashed to pieces in this village. Fifteen days Dalits were left jobless. The Agricultural land and river water have become salinated. In the Children Day Care Centre, Of the 78 children 18 of them were reported missing. It is said the Dalit Children ran 30 kms away from their village fearing their lives. Dalits were kept separately at Camps. For the first two days from individual Philanthropist they received good food But after that they have no food. Relief materials are yet to reach the Dalits from Government. Keelvanjurpet village, SRED team distributed the relief materials to 69 families in this village. When the Tsunami attacked people of this village ran 5 kms away from their village. Two men met with accident when they ran. An old woman died because she could not run. The agriculture crops and lands were salinated. They have no work. Drinking water is salinated. They got 8kg rice for each family from the government. Keelacasagudi village, SRED team distributed relief materials to 69 families in this village. They lost their cattle in the Tsunami. People stayed at Kullamangudi. They all returned to their village on 7 th January. No government relief reached this village. They have no work, no food. Poovam Village 129 families in this village suffered the worst of damages. A three-year-old boy was killed by Tsunami. All the fishing equipments like Boats, Nets, Catamarans were washed away. Tsunami has not even spared the statues of idols. The Government has supplied earthen pots, towel, bed sheets and tumblers to few of the affected people. But the SRED team distributed 36 items including food materials, household utensils, and clothing to all 129 families in Poovam Village . The people have lost their lands due to salination.VILLUPURAM DISTRICT Mandavai Pudukuppam village SRED distributed relief materials including household utensils, food items to 173 families in the village. In coordination with the local NGO the people’s development center, SRED reached this village. PDC is a member of SRED’s sister concern the Tamil Nadu Dalit Women’s Movement network established at the State level. TIRUVALLUR DISTRICTBefore Tsunami attack the Palaverkadu fishing village was popular for its tourism activities. The Tsunami has toppled down the economy of Palaverkadu and nearby villages and left them in deep distress. The Dalits are fishing vendors and assist the fishermen in fishing related activities. Even though the State has landed helping hands to the fishermen the Dalits were left unnoticed and little relief reached the place. The SRED went and distributed relief materials to 50 families in Vairakuppam, 125 families in Thoniroad, 50 families in Thirumalai Nagar, 75 families in Anumathi Kuppam respectively. CUDDALORE DISTRICTThe Irula tribes habitated in Kalignar Nagar, MGR Nagar, Pudu Nagar, North Pichavaram, Sethu Kollai and South Pichavaram were visited by SRED to assess the relief needs to be distributed among the affected Irula tribes. The tribes were survived by fishing in the backwaters. On the day of Tsunami many of the families in these villages were affected and few deaths were reported. SRED went and met people in Kalaignar Nagar and distributed relief materials among 130 families on January 17 th. Further on the same day the team also went to Yenikaran thottam and supported 10 families with the relief materials. NAGAI DISTRICTNagapattinam District was the worst hit in the Tsunami. More than 5000 people were found dead and double the numbers were reported missing in Nagapattinam. The Tsunami has left unrecoverable damages in the District. Death and devastation and the ravage caused by Tsunami left many parents and children orphans and homeless. The loss in the District has stunned the State Authorities and the Army and many affected villages could not even be reached after days of Tsunami. Mass graves and mass cremation were commonly sighted during the relief work. The Army was specially deployed in Nagapattinam to help in relief and rehabilitation work. SRED went to Nagapattinam District on 21 st January for the fourth round of relief work. 62 families of Tirumaullaivassal, 63 families of Keezhvanagiri, 76 families of Neithavasal, 36 families of Peria manikkapattu, 45 families of Valluvar Colony, 45 families of Madathu Kuppam, 118 families of Mel Muvakkarai and 55 families of Chandra padi. In total 500 families received relief materials from SRED. TUTICORIN DISTRICTThe Dalits were engaged in fish processing and various fishing related activities. Dalit extend subsidiary support to fishing business in the district. Majority of them are involved in preparation of limestone from the seashells. The Tsunami has made their life miserable. By overnight these people became refugees. Even though a little assistance is received from the Government people are left without food and habitation. SRED with the help of local NGOs reached a few villages namely Veerapandipattinam 67 families, Periya Thazhai 74 families, Kamarasapuram 74 families, Anna Nagar 74 families Kulasekarapattinam 70 families and Manappadu 39 families. In total 431 families were distributed with relief materials, food substances, clothing and house hold utensils. The Tsunami has made irreparable damage to many coastal villages. Besides the central and State Authorities the support of NGOs is highly commend Any amount of relief and rehabilitation in the affected villages may not bring back the glory and prosperity which people might have heard before Tsunami. But the extended hand of SRED is like small step, which is the beginning for a long destination. KANYAKUMARI DISTRICTOn 22.1.05, SRED team distributed the relief materials to the 300 families in the villages of Arockiapuram, Leepuram, Thalaghu, Putheri, Peruvillai in Kanyakumari district. They are daily wages in the field of salt making.Some people are fish sellers. After Tsunami they lost their work. No food, no shelter. They eagerly waiting where to find work for their survival. PONDICHERRYThuppurayapettai in Pondicherry 750 Dalit families were affected by Tsunami. SRED team distributed relief materials 244 Dalit families on 24.1.05 with the local Dalit group. Every day we are getting more request from the Tsunami affected people in different areas of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry . We will continue this relief work till people are settled. 25.1.2005 BURNAD FATIMA . N SRED TEAM CARRIED OUT RELIEF WORK IN IV PHASE
DISTRICTS = 9 VILLAGES = 80 FAMILIES = 5822
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