REPORTS FROM CENTRAL COUNCILS ON TSUNAMI DISASTER

I

Sr.No.	Affected Central Councils
1	Alleppy C.C.
2	Calicut C.C.
3	Chingleput C.C.
4	Cochin C.C.
5	Eluru C.C.
6	Ernakulam C.C
7	Guntur C.C.
8	Kottapuram C.C.
9	Kottar C.C.
10	Kumbakonam C.C.
11	Madras C.C.
More reports on next page

ALLEPPY CENTRAL COUNCIL

Bro. K. A. Eapen - President Alleppy Central Council.

(Tel.No.0477-2232677)

Report of the President of the Central Council dated 08-01-2005.

1. One house is totally damaged and all the belongings lost. This family belongs to St. Xavier's Church, Azherkal. They need assistance to rebuild the house.
2. Fifty houses were partially damaged and some of these families lost their belongings.

3.  Three deaths were reported earlier.

4.  Two deaths took place in the relief camp.

5.  About 5000 displaced  people are housed in relief camps.

6. Our Central Council have distributed rice and clothes to the displaced people. 

7.  All the conference members assisted the displaced people in relief camps and the wounded in the hospitals.

8.  Our Central Council worked in close coordination with government relief agencies.  5

CALICUT CENTRAL COUNCIL

Bro. A. Malickas-President of Calicut Central Council.

{Tel. No. 0495-2373587 (Resident)/ 0495-2765007 (Office)}

Report received from president of Calicut Central Council dated 04-01-2005.

We visited the Tsunami affected area coming under our central council and they are Pudiyappa, Beypore, Calicut beach and Marad. The following data will give an indication of the missery being suffered by the people here.

1. A number of fishing boats were damaged and broken by the Tsunami waves and   they do need sufficient repair for further use which may cost a lot of money.

2. Fishing tools and nets kept by the sea shore were taken away by the gigantic waves.

3. A number of huts were washed away.

4. People were lacking drinking water because the water supply was damaged and the local wells were contaminated.

5. The Government general hospital situated very near to the Calicut beach and having a capacity of holding 1,000 in patients. As a precautionary measure of the Tsunami, the local authority shifted the patients to the government medical college in Calicut, but unfortunately only 400 could be accommodated the rest 600 who could not be accommodated need urgent shelter, care and medication.  5

CHINGLEPUT CENTRAL COUNCIL (formerly part of Madras C.C.)

Bro. Thomas Charles-President Chingleput Central Council.

(e-mail thomas_vesudasan@rediffmail.com ).

Report received from the president Chingleput Central Council dated 18-01-2005.

Work done at the parish of Our lady of Good Voyage Church,

                                           Cheyyur, Kancheepuram Dist. – 603 302

                                           Rev.Fr.A. Martin Joseph.

                                           Phone No: 04115-231140

                                           Mobile : 094431 35140.

As Vincentians, we have started working in this Parish which has a total Catholic population of 1830.  There are five substations with a Chapel and one without a Chapel.  We have started conducting medical camps and counseling.  We will be working in one of the affected villages by name Angazhiamman Kuppam with a population of 110 families which has reported 2 deaths, loss of boats / nets / catamaran  and structured houses. We will be sending the complete data of damages and loss shortly.  We have chosen this village because relief has not reached this village. There is no vehicular access and quite remote from the Main Road.

We are receiving aid from the local benevolent persons.  Our target is appox. Rs.1,25,000/-. We have fixed a rough estimate of expenditure at Rs.4,00,000/-. This expense should enable them to go back to their fishing.  We had a meeting with the local village leaders and elders. They requested us to help them to start their earning.  They promised to bring some amount to buy needed material for fishing.  Initially we are planning to buy three boats. The ratio of contribution will be: SSVP Rs.100/-.  Beneficiary Rs.30/- and Government Assistance Rs.100/-. I have started negotiating with one of my friends who is making fiber boats to come and assess the damaged boats and give an estimate for repairing and  also the cost of new boats. We shall keep you informed of our work regularly. We need your prayers and monetary help to establish our Society in this newly formed Central Council.  Here we have tremendous work for the expansion of  Society by our service to the affected people.  Our expansion work will become more feasible.

Report received from the president Chingleput Central Council dated 13-01-2005.

INITIATIVES

As soon as the news of the Tsunami was known, immediate initiatives were taken by the diocese of Chengalpattu and Chengalpattu Rural Development Society (CRDS), the official organ of the Diocese of Chengalpattu for social work. Chingleput Central Council team joined hand with the diocese in the work. Under the leadership of our Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Neethinathan the team took following decision.

DECISION TAKEN IN THE MEETING

1. To provide shelter and foods to affected.

2. Burial of the people to be attended immediately

3. Make use of the Government Relief as much as possible

4. Accommodating the people in the Church and the School

5. Sunday and January 1^st   Collection for relief work

6. Matriculation Schools – per student Rs. 100/- for relief fund

7. Help from CRS / Legion of Mary, Vincent De Paul

8. Special Attention to the Orphaned Children

9. Special Mass for the dead

10. Special meetings with the Parish Priest of Coastal Parishes

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR THE AFFECTED PEOPLE

 Due to Tsunami waves, people have started to throng to various places of safety where there are schools and churches. The people were provided accommodation and food, bed sheets and clothes. More than 10,000 people were accommodated in the following places.

1. St. Mary’s matriculation school, Chengalpattu

2. St. Columbus school, Chengalpattu

3. Pavunjur School

4. Thirukazhukundram school,

5. Cheyyur Govt., School

6. Acharapakkam Shrine

7. Acharapakkam School

8. Maduranthagam School

9. Chengalpattu Rural Development Society, Chengalpattu

Chingleput  Central Council team visited the following sites on 28^th Dec. 2004.

            Sadras kuppam

            Kalpakkam Village

            Kalpakkam St. Antony’s Church.

These three places bore the brunt of the tidal wave and loss of life in these villages were around 146. People in the church were unaware of the wave and the people along with the priest have to run for a safer place. God’s will was in the other way and we lost around 42 persons in the church alone. We met the CRDS Director Rev. Fr. Yesu Antony. We promised all our efforts as Vincentian for the relief work.

All  our conference presidents were told to collect clothes and food material and send the same to the CRDS center at chingleput for distribution to the victims by the team working at the following permanent camps.

a)      Paramankeni

b)      Mamallapuram

c)      Vettuvankeni

d)      Sadras Kuppam

e)      Pudupattinam Village.

Once again we from the central council visited the following camps with medical team on 2^nd Jan 2005.

           o        Mamallapuram

           o        Sadras Kuppam

           o        Pudupattinam Village.

The central Council team once again visited Paramankeni camp and from there we visited few of the near by affected villages.

THE MAIN REASONS TO SET UP THESE CAMPS

 a) Continuation Of Concern

 There are many philanthropists, individuals and some NGOs who visit the villages and give some food and old clothes. In one or two days their presence and help will disappear. At that time only, these affected people need concern and support. So CRDS along with the other pious association has planned to make use of these camps for counseling, as the people are still afraid to stay in the villages.  They are so frightened that they come to villages during the daytime and go to other places at night.

b) Counseling

The people affected by Tsunami have to come out from the school. They have lost the lives of their dear ones, houses, belongings and means of livelihood. They are desperate and frustrated. They must be helped to come out of the shock and need to be given rays of hope. So counseling will be given to the people.

c) Medical Facilities

Due to debris, dead bodies and animals, shortage of drinking water, the health and hygiene of the people of the locality is affected. They need to be protected from contamination. Medical teams are formed which are available at every camp.

Vincentians have assured the CRDS Director that we will assist them in the counseling and medical facility besides adopting a village for rehabilitation work. We have formed medical team which will go to the camps which require medical assistance. With respect to the counseling we have requested the head of the Social work department of Stella Maris College, Dr. Cecilia Thangaraj to provide trained volunteers as and when we need them in our dist.

At present we are collecting funds from all those who are willing to help us in helping the victims come back to their normal life.

REAL ASSESSMENT

The details given here are the outcome of the spot study done by the CRDS staff upto 29^th December. The full assessment could be carried out only after a week. Only then all the people would have come to their villages. We will be utilizing the volunteers provided by Stella Maris College to take the real status of the situation.

THE IMMEDIATE FELT NEED OF THE PEOPLE

Through our interaction with the people, the affected people’s main concern at present is the means for their livelihood. They expressed that they can’t live and don’t want to continue to live with the food given by the people for many days. They want to be self-supportive.

They want fishing nets and boats. Thus their means of livelihood is to be ensured. As their lives centered on the sea, they can’t earn their livelihood without boats and nets. If these are not provided they have no other go except with empty stomach.

The emergency in the Tsunami hit parts of Kanchipuram District calls for a well-coordinated relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work. A massive rehousing programme is a top priority. The loss of livelihood must be specially addressed. Women and children should be provided safe shelter and sustenance.

The rough estimate of the situation in our Central council jurisdiction.

We will be working with the help and prayers of our Vincentian brothers all over the world till the work of rehabilitation is completed. We are enclosing some of photos taken by us in our District.

Extracts from earlier report of Central Council president dated 8-1-05.

1. Details of relief work done by the Central Council:-

    a) Along with Chengalpattu Rural Development Society (C.R.D.S)our Central Council members worked in five relief camps. We organized medical camps in these centers on two days.

   b) As per the directive of our Bishop we have collected clothes/rice/groceries and money in the respective parishes and sent the same to the C.R.D.S.

2.    Proposed rehabilitation work by the Central Council:-

    a) We are proposed to work with C.R.D.S and other like minded societies to rehabilitate the victims. We are in touch with Stella Maris College in organizing the work of assessment of the situation.

    b) We are trying to get professional volunteers to give us the know how to give relief to the victims.

   c) We intend taking up one village and carry out the relief work in collaboration with CRDS.

3.    We intend working with government agencies to utilize the allotted fund and see that the funds reach the correct people.

4.    The Central Council will be able to collect approximately

       Rs. 1,00,000/-. 5

COCHIN CENTRAL COUNCIL

Bro. I.D. Valera President of Cochin Central Council

{Tel. No. 04842234611(Residence), 04842228990(CC Office)}

Report dated 14-01-2005 received from the president of Central Council.

The following parts of coastal Cochin were affected by the seismic waves of Tsunami:  Vypeen, Kattiparambu, Manassery, Cheriyakadavu, Maruvakkadu, Chellanam and Pathirappally.  People from all these places were evacuated and sheltered in Relief camps opened in Kumbalanghy, Ezhupunna , Pattanakkad, etc.  The waves had swept away the household articles, utensils, study books of children etc. in these regions.  As emergency measure, our conferences in certain areas distributed rice to the affected people with the help of aid given by the Central Council.  Our brothers also actively participated in the reconstruction works of sea wall and houses.

The Governmental agencies and voluntary organizations are taking stock of the situation and the rehabilitation process has already started.  Hence it may not be possible for any Central Council to quantify the requirement of money for the rehabilitation works because our Society cannot deprive anybody from availing governmental/other voluntary organizations’ help.  In our opinion, we will have to wait for some more time to know the exact extent of help being rendered by these agencies.

In union of prayers. 5

ELURU CENTRAL COUNCIL

Bro. N. Krupanandam, President Eluru Central Council

(Tel. No. 08812250054(Residence), 0944008209(Mobile)).

Report of the President of the Central Council dated 03-02-2005.

Progress report on  Tsunami relief work five Particular Councils done by Central Council of Eluru – Andhra Pradesh.

To be more specific the recent Natural Calamity Tsunami had caused quite enormous damage in five Particular Council in the Central Council of Eluru. However, in some places especially in the fishermen communities there are no conference or SVP activities so far. The damage done to 60% families belong to fishermen communities and 40% to the families belong to other communities.  Though we have not started Conferences there we have done our best on humanitarian grounds without any distinction of caste, creed and community.  We have given them immediate relief measurers.

We went around the nearby unaffected villages and begged for cloths and rice and distributed the same among the affected areas. We bought 1200 kgs of rice and distributed on daily basis. There were other like minded people who came forward and extend their help.

We also met the Honorable Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri. G. Surya Rao, in-charge minister for the relief and rehabilitation programmes in the affected area, and visited some villages along with him. The Minister requested us to help at least 5000 families in these most affected areas from the National Council of India, Society of St. Vincent De Paul.  But we told the Minister that we would try our level best to help the victims.

After the  receipt of  sanctioned amount Rs.50, 000/- for relief and with the contributions raised from the public to the tune of Rs.17, 500/- the total amount of Rs.67, 500-00 and eight bags of rice, and some used cloths we could distributed among 300 families in five PCs. 

The members of PCs and Conferences the volunteers participated in wide spread relief operation under taken by Central Council of Eluru.  The members of PCs could also get some material support like rice and basic household utensils to be distributed to those who were not covered by the PCs with its meager contribution.

The Spiritual Advisors of PCs of the respected area have also generously came down to contribute their might towards the relief operations in the affected areas.

The local political leaders the Government officials and the local bureaucrats have also appreciated operations under taken by our Vincent De Paul Society and PC members. For your ready reference we are herewith enclosing the photos of the works under taken periodically. The government and the other local officials appreciated the work taken up by us. The affected people are so impressed and they bless all the ones who helped them.

Now the affected villages’ conditions is little better and people are moving here and there to do their regular work.  But the fear is there in their minds. When we discussed with them we could find out this very easily. The victims are waiting for the rehabilitation works at an early date. May God bless hundred fold, all those who come forward to help these victims.

The damage in Central Council of Eluru, Diocese of Eluru. A.P

The diocese of Eluru consists of the whole West Godavari District and 14 mandals of East Godavari District, AP

Summarized report from the president of Eluru Central Council

received on 12-01-2005. 

 

1	Damage to properties and belonging: Thatched houses Utensils (completely) Clothes (completely), Milch buffaloes, Bullock carts, goats, fishing nets, small and big boats etc.,
2	Total number of deaths : 5
3	Total number of people displaced : 19,600 families.
4	Details of relief work done by Central Council: From 26th 12pm members of our Central Council rushed to the area of the Tsunami and gave shelter and food packets to the people. On this we spent Rs. 67,500/-.
5	Proposed rehabilitation work to be carried out by the Central Council. a) supply of sheep/goats to 150 families b) supply of 25 fishing nets. c) Partial grants the fully damaged fishing boats -15Nos. d) assistance to petty traders like mobile vending- 800       families. e) buffaloes for 10 families.
6	Amount estimated to be raised by the Central Council Rs.85,000/-                                             5

ERNAKULAM CENTRAL COUNCIL also covering VERAPOLY CENTRAL COUNCIL area

Bro.Francis Antony-President of Ernakulam Central Council.

(Tel.No. 0484-2680906 /0484-2682628.)

Report received from the president of Ernakulam Central Council on 12-01-2005.

On 26^th December the Tsunami destroyed the costal area of Ernakulam District considerably. The western side of Vypin Island was completely ruined due to the attack of Tsunami. Seven people were killed and many were injured and thousands lost their shelters, house-hold items, equipments, work tools, business places, study material, etc. In fact the whole property of the costal people were wiped off within seconds by the tsunami.

In the territory of Ernakulam Central Council forty thousand people were transferred to various relief camps, one thousand were admitted in various hospitals. The peoples in the camps are in a dilemma because they don’t have houses to live and equipments and work tools.  Those who returned from the camps are struggling to repair the damaged houses, to clean the houses and surroundings, which are fully covered with mud and bio waste. There is no drinking water supply, no electricity.

Government agencies and other charitable organizations are involved in relief activities. But the rehabilitation of the victims of Tsunami will take a considerable time and it will be very expensive.

Our conferences in that area are fully engaged in the relief activities. The financial capacity of the conferences were not sound to do so much as the demand is very high. The central council, particular councils and the conferences in the affected area spent Rs. 50000/- for the relief so far. The conferences are estimating the rehabilitation activities to help the affected people in their areas.

The conferences which wish to undertake the following rehabilitation work:-

1. Construction of new houses (completely destroyed) 10Nos.

2. Repair of partly damaged houses 50Nos.

3. Repair of damaged shops.20Nos.

4. Supply of fishing boat, net etc. 50Nos.

5. Treatment of seriously injured. 100No.

6. Help to start business. 50Nos.

7. Distribution of house hold items/dress/study materials 200Nos. 5

GUNTUR  CENTRAL COUNCIL

Bro. K. T. Bose - President of Guntur Central Council.

(Tel.No. 08641 - 232543).

Report received from the president of Guntur Central Council on12-01-2005.

A) Damage to properties:-

B) Total number of deaths: 65.

C) Total number of persons displaced : 1500

D) Details of relief work:-

    1. evacuation of victims.

    2. counseling of traumatized by coordinators, animators

        and volunteers.

E) Details of proposed rehabilitation work:-

    1. Hut re-conditioning.

    2. Repairs to boats.

    3. Supply of nets.

F) Estimated amount of funds that can be raised by the Central Council Rs. 85000/-.                                5

KOTTAPURAM  CENTRAL COUNCIL

Sr. Elsy Antony-President of Kottapuram Central Council.

(Tel.No. 0484-2508815)

Report dated 05-01-2004 received from president of the Central Council.

On the west side of Kottapuram Dioceses is Arabian Sea . Majority of the people dwelling in this coastal area viz. Cherai, Pallipuram, Munambam, Maliankara West, Azhikode, Kara and Kottuvally west are fishermen. Tsunami calamities have struck this area and people had to leave their home and seek refuge in relief camps.

We have visited this areas and met people in the camps. There have been no confirmed deaths. But there were several damages to property. Two small houses were completely ruined and some are partially damaged. Some were injured and hospitalized. Some of them have lost their country crafts (small boats), fishing nets and tools. We would have to repair their damaged houses. Even if the boats were repaired, it would take at least 2 or 3 months for the fishermen to take to sea.

In this pitiable circumstance we will have to provide succor to the victims and offer help which would bring back normalcy in their lives. 5

KOTTAR CENTRAL COUNCIL

Bro. Xavier James Raj, President Kottar Central Council

{Tel. No. 04652232804(Residence), 04712564636 (Office)}

Report dated 17^th January 2005.

On 26-12-2004, due to the super "TSUNAMI WAVE"- the after effect of the earth quake in the Sumatra Islands almost all part of coastal area of Kanyan Kumari District in Tamil Nadu covering nearly 58 Kms from Arockiapuram to Kurumpani (31 villages), which are in the Kottar Central Council are very much affected. The most affected villages are:

1.     Arockiapuram (Our Conference exists)

2.     Chinnamuttom (Our Conference exists)

3.     Kanya Kumari (Our Conference exists)

4.     Vavuthurai (Our Conference exists)

5.     Puthugramam (Our Conference exists)

6.     Kovalam (Our Conference exists)

7.     Keela Manakudy (Our Conference exists)

8.     Mela Manakudy (Our Conference exists)

9.     Annainagar (Our Conference exists)

10.   Chothavilai

11.   Pallam (Our Conference exists)

12.   Puthenthurai (Our Conference exists)

13.   Kesavan Puthenthurai

14.   Polikarai

15.   Periacadu

16.   Allikal

17.   Pillaithoppu (Our Conference exists)

18.   Muttom (Our Conference exists)

19.   Kadiapattinam (Our Conference exists)

20.   Manavalakurichi

21.   Chinnavilai (Our Conference exists)

22.   Periavilai (Our Conference exists)

23.   Mondaicaduputhoor (Our Conference exists)

24.   Kottilpadu (Our Conference exists)

25.   Colachel (Our Conference exists)

26.   Simoncoloney (Our Conference exists)

27.   Maramady

28.   Weavers Street (Our Conference exists)

29.   Vaniakudy (Our Conference exists)

30.   Kodimunai (Our Conference exists)

31.   Kurumbanai (Our Conference exists)

The incident occurred around 10.05 A.M. As soon as, we Vincentians heard the news, we rushed into the near by affected places and did the relief works as much as possible. We  took two vehicles (van) and carried the dead bodies and injured people personally to the hospitals. The conditions were very pathetic. More than 2,000 persons lost their lives (including the missing) in the district and around 1,500 people are seriously injured. Most of them are children, aged and women. The search for the missing people is still going on. Even today, we found a dead body at Kottilpadu inside the collapsed walls of a house. The total population of 2,00,000 people became the victims of this serious incident. All their belongings were lost and they escaped from the villages wearing only their clothes. They were orphans with in a minute of this incident. More than 90 % of the victims belong to the fishermen community.

I personally went to Colachel, Kottilpadu and Mondaikaduputhoor on the same day. In these places our Vincentian teams did excellent work. They took two Van and collected the dead bodies and rushed to the near by hospitals/morgue. The death was maximum in Kottilpadu and Colachel villages. As of today more than 300 persons got badly injuries. 

In Kanyakumari our Vincentians performed a good relief operation under the guidance of Bro.Vimalan J.Rodriques, Secretary of the Central Council. Lot of Houses and other agricultural fields are damaged heavily. Almost all of the fishing boat, cattamaran and fishing nets were lost. 

Three villages Keela Manakudy, Mela Manakudy and Alikal were destroyed fully. Even permanent concrete buildings, houses were destroyed. 

Initially, the survived victims (totally around 90,000 initially) were temporarily sheltered in 63 camps. In these camps, we arranged food items, drinking water, clothes, medicines and other needed items with the help of the local people. All people in and around helped the victims without seeing the caste, religion or creed of the people. Now, most of them are shifted to their houses, and some of them are still in their friends and relative’s houses. The remaining victims, for whom no place is available (number given in the brackets below) and their houses are fully damaged are still in these centers. Since, today (17-01-2005) is a reopening day for the schools after this tsunami occurred; only the following 5 rehabilitation centers are existing as of today. 

1. Sahayamatha Auditorium, Sahayapuram (existing now with 473 victims).
2. Mylady Church (existing now with 718 victims).
3. Elankadai Church (existing now with 509 victims).
4. Cathedral Church, Kottar (existing now with 1521 victims).
5. Ramanputhoor Church (existing now with 523 victims).

We have visited all the affected areas. The sorrow of the victims cannot be explained. Even after 22 days of the incidents, people fear very much to go to their only known work of fishing. Now, we are visiting them regularly and consoling them through counseling  and trying our level best to overcome their fears. But, it is far beyond our expectation to restore their courage and confident. The Church, NGO's and voluntary organizations are doing their best. Our Vincentians also joined them to give them food, drinking water and clothes. As of today, our Vincentians have stored items such as rice, cloths, note books etc in two rooms of St. Ann’s Matriculation School, Kalimar and the School of Computers at Elanthavilai. Today, we distributed note books and other educational materials to the very poor students. Immediate help needed for the victims at the rehabilitation centers have been made available on day to day basis. We are struggling very much. Moreover the present essential work is counseling these people. We Vincentians are daily meeting them and consoling them.

Apart from the human loss, the total estimated losses of other items are more than Rs. 262,00,00,000/-. The details of the damages caused by the incident is estimated as follows:-