The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Relief operations in full swing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Relief operations in full swing

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, DEC. 28 . The relief operations led by the district administration in 36 camps opened for the people affected by the tsunami in the district continued for the third day on Tuesday.

The District Collector, A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, said that the functioning of the camps was strengthened based on the recommendations made by the 10 district-level officials in charge of the camps. About 1,800 screwpine mats, clothes and bath towels were sent to the camps by yesterday night. Temporary toilets and more lights were also arranged.

Food and water

An amount of Rs. 6 lakhs was allotted to the village officers for providing food and water. Another Rs. 45,000 was allotted to various wings of the Health Department for medicines, the Collector said.

Mr. Hanish, M.A. Kuttappan, MLA, and the district panchayat vice-president, K.R. Subhash, today visited the houses of four persons who died at Edavanakkad and Elankunnappuzha. A total amount of Rs. 3.40 lakhs was distributed to the next of kin of the diseased. Those who suffered serious injuries were given Rs. 25,000 and those who suffered minor injuries were given Rs. 5,000 each. Blankets were also distributed in the camps.

The District Supply Officer is taking steps for distributing free ration to the victims, including those who have lost ration cards.

LPG supply to all relief camps was also ensured, the Collector said.

The Collector urged all organisations and institutions to donate generously to the victims. The donations should be brought to the Collector's Camp Office. Drafts and cheques should be taken in the name of District Collector, Ernakulam.

Cancel New Year fete

Leaders of various cultural and social organisations in the city expressed concern over reports that some individuals and organisations were planning to go ahead with the New Year celebrations in spite of the havoc wreaked upon the State by the tsunami.

They urged the public to cancel all New Year celebrations and instead donate generously to help the victims of the natural disaster.

The request was made by the Kerala Fine Arts Society president, V.N. Venugopal, the Ernakulam Public Library president, A.D. Krishnan Asan, the secretary, Asok M. Cheriyan, the Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishad president, M. Achuthan, the Tharangam Samskarika Vedi secretary, Suresh P.R., the Chavara Cultural Centre director, James Madathikkandam, the Adarsh Charitable Trust executive committee member, K.G. Unnikrishnan, the Ernakulam Karayogam president, L.K. Krishnankutty, and P. Sureshkumar of the Bank Employees Arts Movement Ernakulam.

Sathya Sai Seva Organisation offers help

The Disaster Management Group of the Sathya Sai Seva Organisation will intensify its relief works.

The organisation is at present distributing food, clothes and medical aid at various relief camps in the State. The organisation will start removing the debris from the coastal areas following the calamity. Those who need assistance should contact the State committee office at Ph: 0484 2607652, 2606844 and mobile no. 94471 66844.

Stir put off

The All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers' Association has decided to put off the proposed strike to be held in front of the Central Government offices from January 17, in view of the disaster that has struck the country.

A meeting of the association called upon the ration dealers in the State to make donations to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.

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