Tamil Nadu - Nagercoil   

Need of the hour is coordination

By P. S. Suresh Kumar

NAGERCOIL, JAN. 8. The first and second phases of rescue and relief work are almost over and the Government is exploring ways and means to implement short and long-term rehabilitation measures for the tsunami-affected fishermen community. But due to a lack of coordination among the district administration and various non-governmental organisations, not all the affected fishermen have received relief materials such as utensils, plastic items etc, which had been contributed by well-wishers.

They are found dumped in either government godowns or in places of worship. Maria George of Mela Manakudi, whose house was washed away by the killer waves, complained to the special officers, S.Vijaya Kumar and N. Muruganantham, that except for the cash assistance of Rs. 4,000 announced by the Government, he did not receive anything else from the Government or from others, who contributed a variety of materials to the affected fishermen. Similar is the case with a large number of affected fishermen in Mela Manakudi.

In this backdrop, a large number of activists belonging to non-governmental organisations from neighbouring districts have been visiting the affected areas and extending help to the beleaguered fishermen.

Even though a lot of voluntary organisations had no base in Kanyakumari district, they were doing `service' to make the most of this `opportunity.' If they did really want to serve, they would have made a tie-up with either the district administration or NGOs of repute of this district. Moreover they make the affected villages cater to `relief tourism', which will affect the dignity of fishermen community, says a cross-section of villagers in Mela Manakudi.

Meanwhile, a large number of international funding agencies are also camping in the district to lend a helping hand to the affected fishermen. Unless the Government forms a co-ordination committee comprising representatives of various banks, Kanyakumari district based NGOs and officials, it would be very difficult to implement the rehabilitation package. Further it will pave way for `influential' persons to misuse funds, says a police officer, who did not want to reveal his identity.

According to some of the educated youths in the tsunami-affected fesherfolk, a master plan, which includes construction of houses, distribution of boats and other implements, and construction of groyne and fishing harbours, should be worked out as a part of long-term rehabilitation package. The funds collected from various agencies, donors and the Government must be pooled together for its implementation. This way a permanent solution to the long pending demands of fishermen could be fulfilled. Moreover by implementing such a master plan, the fishermen community could not be exploited by religious heads in future, they say.

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