சுனாமி உதவி

நண்பர் "பிரக்ஞை" ரவிஷங்கர் அனுப்பிய மடலையும், அதிலிருந்த இணைப்பையும் அப்படியே இங்கு தருகிறேன்: (சென்னையில் நிவாரணப் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டிருக்கும் இணைய நண்பர்கள் வித்யா ஷங்கர் மூலம் உதவுவது குறித்து யோசிக்குமாறும் அன்புடன் வேண்டுகிறேன். வித்யா ஷங்கரின் மின்னஞ்சல் relieffoundation@hotmail.com. அவரின் தொலைபேசி எண் முதலிய தகவல்களைத் திரட்ட முயற்சித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறேன். வித்யா ஷங்கரின் சேவை நிறுவனத்தைப் பற்றிய தகவல்களை http://www.chennaionline.com/children/hope.asp என்ற முகவரியில் காணலாம்.)

Mail from Ravishankar:

"hi folks, I know ms. vidyashankar for the past decade. We worked together for some local causes during the mid 1990s. From where Vidya has grown her organization into very impressive dimensions. Mostly involved with welfare of orphaned children and juvenile welfare, she is nowadays involved in many apex organizations across the nation. A chemical engineer, who gave up her career to pursue such efforts Vidya shankar is a very efficient organizer, and free of any opportunism. If you can send some donations her way, I am sure that such money would reach the people your money was intended for with as little overhead expenditure as possible. Regards, ravishankar"

Mail from Vidya Shankar to Ravishankar:
"Dear All
There is information of more tsunamis? We are grappling with the severity of the first one..

Anyway, I am giving below some latest information on the situation in Chennai and its outskirts, where our staff are at work.

The needs beyond Chennai like Cuddalore and Nagai, mass cremations, epidemics and medical relief are uppermost concerns, where as here in Chennai, rehabilitation needs are of priority already, due to lesser number of casualties.

Pls go through the attachment and let me have a feedback on your first thoughts

Thanks and best regards
Vidya Shankar"

The attachment from Vidya Shankar Mail:

Visit to Orur Kuppam and Ennore

As you are aware, the huts and belongings of the families residing in the coasts were washed away on Sunday. Psychological help and reconstructing their lives is a priority now. We visited fishing hamlets and slums beyond Ennore and Orur Kuppam in the coast of Besant Nagar today. Casualties were minimum as they all fled to some shelters closeby.

Drinking water and wash water is scarcity. Milk for children is unavailable. Donors of clothes and material reach upto areas where cars can go and distribute food packets and clothes, in small amounts and more often it reaches persons who can access it. Aged persons and those unable to run and scramble for it, do not get it. Govt help has come in as immediate relief Rs 2000/- per family. Food is also provided to all but it is difficult for many to wait in the queue and scramble for it. Survival of the fittest seems to be the slogan as far as the resources can reach. So they prefer to stay in relatives' homes and cook some food. Govt has promised School notebooks and textbooks after the schools reopen. This seems to be the trend in all the places even in the city coastline.

We are arranging for 1000 sets of clothes for families and drinking water 2000 packets through Rotary Club of Madras East.

We intend to supply kits consisting of

Sleeping mat -2
Bedsheets - 2
Plastic Water Kudams- 2
Cooking vessels -2
Plates - 2
Tumblers -2
Pumping Stove -1
Rice 10 kgs
Green Gram Dhal - 5 kgs

Rs 1250/- per kit

Demand:

We are seeing a severe short supply of these essential items in Chennai. Personnel to run around for locating the items are required . Practically, there is a need to transport this material to remote places where cars cannot reach, so fuel, vehicles, and manpower needs to be taken into account.

Reconstructing their lives needs shelter and livelihood options. They are unwilling to move to a different location as their livelihood depends on the sea.

All their children are studying in Govt High schools close by. They believe help will come subsequently, but are unsure of their future.
Any help coming in can be for these direct or indirect costs and expenses.


Long Term Support and assistance:

Besides these, there are long term assistance such as building houses and strengthening Noon meal centre buildings to double up as shelters.

Each of it can cost Rs 100,000/-
Each fishing net costs about Rs 25000/-
Boats Rs 100,000/- each


Immediate assistance:

Kits consisting of:

Sleeping mat -2
Bedsheets - 2
Plastic Water Kudams- 2
Cooking vessels -2
Plates - 2
Tumblers -2
Pumping Stove -1
Rice 10 kgs
Green Gram Dhal - 5 kgs
Notebooks and stationery items for children @ Rs 750 for 2 children

Rs 2000/- per kit