Tsunami Relief Report from Chennai - Attorney Senthil Kumar
Posted Jan 27, 2005

Attorney Senthil Kumar is part of the team at Murthy Immigration Services, Pvt. Ltd. in Chennai, India.

I checked with Mr. Balaj Sampath, of A.I.D. and found that on Saturday [January 15, 2005] they were distributing relief material all along the east coast and the closest place was at a sea-side village named "Paramakenny Kuppam" <about 100 kms from Chennai>, located near Pondicherry on the East-Coast Road. So, we visited this place.

On the way, I could see numerous temporary camps for unfortunate victims of the Tsunami waves. These were just camping tents on the beach sand. I can hardly imagine how one can stay in a tent considering the heat in Chennai. Paramakenny Kuppan is a village, perilously close to the sea, with about 250 huts and houses. Miraculously, on Boxing Day (December 26, 2004), this village held a gathering that, fortunately, was located on higher ground and very few people were in their homes. Those who were at home were evacuated as soon as the first wave struck. Apparently, there were three waves and the third one was the worst. There was no loss of life in this village. But the Tsunami waves took away all but one house. Their school, boats, belongings, all washed into the sea. When we visited Paramakenny Kuppam, various relief organizations were constructing new huts a little further away from the seashore and A.I.D. was issuing family identity cards. Each family was given a card entitling them to a weekly ration of 5 kgs of rice; 1/2 kg of dhal; 1 kg of sugar, and some oil. I was informed that basic cooking utensils were distributed to each family sometime earlier.

This relief work was painstakingly coordinated by volunteers from National Service Scheme <N.S.S>, a permanent youth program under the ministry of youth affairs. Volunteers included students from Auxilium Women's college, Katpadi, IIT Chennai, Cresent Engineering College and SRM College. They were staying in these remote villages for more than 5 days, helping to register each family and distribute relief materials.

Ms. Chamundeswari, a representative of A.I.D., informed me that they have plans to distribute food until the fisher folk are allowed to go onto the sea, once again. I was also informed that each of the boats damaged costs approximately INR 40,000 to INR 80,000 <approx. $850 - $1700>. Most of the boats are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced. I spoke to representatives of other organizations as well and was given the impression that all the relief organizations are working together to provide a livelihood for these unfortunate families, by helping them fix / buy boats - which is a more practical thing to do. With fear of infection deterring consumers from seafood, the lives of these people will take a long time to return to normalcy.