Holdeen Partners Coordinate Tsunami Relief Efforts in India
December 30, 2004
A Report from Kathy SreedharExecutive Director, Unitarian Universalist (UU) Holdeen India Program
As the tsunami disaster relief efforts have taken shape in India, three Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Holdeen India partners—Guide, Peoples Watch, and Disaster Mitigation Institute as well as several other Holdeen colleague groups (e.g., the Campaign for Dalit Human Rights, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties, and others) are already working with the poorest and most marginalized residents of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state in India. These people include fisher folks, dalits, Muslims, and especially women. They are the most affected by the disaster and at the same time have the least access to relief and services.
Some of those providing relief have told us, "When asked what would be the immediate requirement, the people expressed that mats, stoves, cooking utensils should be provided to them so that they can cook their own food. Right now the (uncooked) rice is distributed; but nobody can cook.” Another agency representative wrote, “[The residents of this area] are all in heavy trauma and moral support and counselling is very much needed. All GUIDE members in the emergency settlement places are involved in providing support." A third Holdeen partner said, "The telephone lines have snapped, the road is severed in many places and even cell phones are not working, as towers are affected. Physical verification [of the level of destruction] on two wheelers is the only way [to ascertain damage reports].”
Some of the agencies in the area are working to set up coordination centers and child care centers immediately and provide cooking utensils, stoves, etc. within a week. I further understand that the magnitude of destruction is such that the State government is unprepared for dealing with the disaster, thereby extending the challenge of providing aid to those affected by the tragedy.
I will be traveling to Tamil Nadu in mid-January and will continue to monitor the aid situation in that state, providing information to the UUA and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee communities.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
