The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Temporary shelters being readied for one lakh families

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 09, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Temporary shelters being readied for one lakh families

By S. Dorairaj

CHENNAI, JAN. 8. Having completed the first two phases of the relief operation in the tsunami-hit areas, the State Government has intensified the third phase in which temporary shelters are being put up for one lakh families, besides organising humanitarian assistance such as counselling and rehabilitation of young and old who have lost their kin.

The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Revenue Administration, R. Santhanam, told The Hindu here today that as it had been pointed out by the Chief Minister, pending construction of 1.5 lakh permanent houses for fishermen at a cost of Rs. 600 crores steps had been initiated to put up temporary shelters for them.

The Government would put up 50,000 temporary shelters while an equal number of them would be put up by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The government agencies and the NGOs had already stepped up the process during the last two days. He expressed the hope that the job would be over by January 15.

The administration, on its part would put up 18,000 houses in Nagapattinam district, 8,695 in Kanyakumari district, 5,500 in Chennai, 5,000 in Cuddalore district, 4,750 in Villupuram district, 4,750 in Kancheepuram district, 2,500 in Tiruvallur district, 400 in Tuticorin district, 350 in Tirunelveli district, 50 in Thanjavur district and five in Ramanathapuram district. In a couple of villages, the NGOs had already completed the task. No uniform design was prescribed to these structures and the Collectors were empowered to select suitable sites by taking private land on lease if necessary, he said.

Adequate care would be taken to locate permanent houses away from their erstwhile habitations, though not far away from sea, their place of work.

Good coordination

Over 150 NGOs were involved in relief work along the coastline. In Nagapattinam district alone, 75 organisations had registered themselves. The NGOs would be able to provide the required relief if there was perfect coordination with the district authorities as the administration at the State level had established direct coordination with them.

On encouraging adoption of children orphaned by the nature's fury, he said, "there have been many enquiries." The Chief Minister had already made it clear that the Government would not prevent anybody from adopting these children.

The willing persons could contact the District Social Welfare Officer and go through the normal procedure.

Rehabilitating children

The Government gave top priority to the rehabilitation of these children, which "is a very sensitive area." That is why the Government has announced its decision to set up three orphanages with all necessary facilities."

Though the administration was still collecting particulars about the orphaned children, it was estimated that there might be around 300 falling under this category, he said.

Another priority area in the tsunami-hit districts was helping the victims to get over the December 26 nightmare and return to normality. What the affected people really needed was hope and a feeling that there were people who would take care of them. The counsellors need not be psychiatrists. Dedicated persons with proper training for two-three days would be able to perform this job, along with the trained personnel in the Social Welfare and Education Departments. The Institute of Mental Health also organised a session today to train such persons in counselling, he said.

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