Donation

Tsunami Relief

Madurai District TNSF despatched A Truck Load of Tsunami Relief Materials to Kanyakumari District

Tamil Nadu Science Forum (TNSF), Madurai despatched a truckload of relief materials to tsunami affected victims of Kanyakumari District on 30th night. These materials will be distributed through TNSF and Malar Women's group of Kanya Kumari District Unit.

The relief materials included two tons of Rice, 1000 bedsheets, 30 boxes of drugs and medicines, 3000 water packets and cloth materials such as saris, blouses, children garments, dhoties, T-shirts and pants and shirts in thousands.

These materials were collected jointly by DEEPAM women groups of Madurai District, MUTA, TANTSAC and TNSF units of Madurai and Theni District. Deepam Women Volunteers and Student members of Saraswathi Narayanaan College, Thiagarajar College and MK University of Madurai helped in assorting, packaging and loading the materials.

Many of the college teachers belonging to MUTA responded the call given to donate one bedsheet per member. MUTA members of VHNS College and VVV women's College of Viruthunagar donated new bedsheets worth Rs.11, 000.

This effort was initiated and coordinated by Dr.S Krishnasamy (MKUniversity) Prof.P.Rajamanickam (TNSF), Prof.Thiagarajan (MUTA), Mr.Stephennathan (TANTSAC), Mrs.Anushya and Rajalakshmi (DEEPAM) and Narayanasamy and Selvaraj (TNSF).

To raise funds for Tsunami Relief work, TNSF Madurai is preparing a booklet on the Science of Tsunami. Around 25,000 copies will be published for sale to raise around Rs.75, 000 as Tsunami Relief Fund.

TNSF- OB -2/1/2005- Nagapattinam

There are atleast five steps involved in the Relief and Reconstruction works at the Tsunami affected Districts:

I) Relief and Rescue Phase

Step-1: Running Relief camps till they recover from shock and their villages are ready- for which we have to send materials like medicines, food, Clothes, etc.

II) Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Phase

Step-2: To clear the debris and prepare the villages ready for occupation with all infrastructure
Step-3: Moving them to the villages when they psychologically ready- need money, materials for house construction, home needs.
Step-4: Making them to earn their livelihood whatever they earlier had or wishing new
Step-5: Running Permanent Rehabilitation Camps for children, destitute, old people who have lost all relatives and resources.

When, what and how do TNSF involve?

I) Relief and Rescue Phase

Non-affected area: For the first step to mobilise things in other districts by which we have to involve various people and people in our Forum, Associations, etc., (Ex:) Each One Donate One Blanket. This is to involve ordinary MUTA members. This method is more necessary than contribution and mobilizing by motivated individual going here and there. It is not the you and me but you and me to involve others and unknown.
At the affected area: TNSF should involve them effectively in regulating the relief works by mobilizing its own people and associating with other such people. It is not the one or two leaders, it is the members of the organization.

II) Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Phase

Non-affected area: Wherever they were able to mobilise the various walks of people they will be able to go to the other steps to mobilse funds and manpower for the reconstruction activities mentioned in further steps. Affected area: If the Dist.TNSF in affected area is able to regulate the relief camps they are eligible for the second step. Giving money to organizationally weak districts to do work is not advisable. It will end in failure.
I think the following two steps are essential to develop TNSF in non-affected and affected districts:

Tsunami Relief Support Committee at each non-affected district forging alliances with various organizations, individuals to support the Relief and Reconstruction activities going on at the affected districts. It should have live contact with the field and arranging necessary men (Common Gender) and maters.

Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction Committee at the affected district should be formed as like in non affected area and works are to be carried out.

What the State TNSF to do?

Allotting OB members to Tsunami Hit Districts: Chennai, Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kanyakumari
OB members to go to the districts atleast twice a month
To establish Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Committee at Tsunami Hit District
Regional based /District based Tsunami Relief Support Committee involving all districts
Decisions at the district to be taken in the presence of the OB member every month in the Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Committee

Our work may be concentrated in finding place in the Village Committees.
Our work starts with the assessment of requirements and may concentrate on specific areas. It may differ from district to district depending upon the manpower and their skill.

Running Children's Centres may be our main work in the Tsunami Hit Area.
Working among women is possible in the area of Health and Sanitation.
Training to volunteers to give psychological boost to the victims.
Mobilizing funds for and proving volunteers are the main activities of the Non-Affected districts.