The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Multilateral banks promise fast track assistance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Multilateral banks promise fast track assistance

By Our Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE, JAN. 17. A five-member team from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank today visited Cuddalore to get a "first-hand impression" of the damage caused by the tsunami in coastal villages.

The team has assured fast-track clearance of financial as well as technical assistance. The type and quantum of relief will be finalised in consultation with the Central and State governments, experts of the banks and the United Nations.

Based on a preliminary assessment of the team, a "technical mission," consisting of specialists, will soon be despatched to work out the package.

The international organisations will focus on long-term rehabilitation of the affected, including restoration of their livelihood and creation of infrastructure, and suggest measures for overall coastal area protection.

The Cuddalore Collector, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, gave a power-point presentation on the tragedy: 626 human lives were lost, 48 persons were reported missing, 58 children were orphaned, 79 women were widowed, thousands of head of cattle perished and crops on 611 hectares were damaged.

The initial assessment put the damage to boats at Rs. 55 crores and to public property (excluding Public Works Department buildings) at Rs. 100 crores.

After visiting Thevanampattinam and Thalanguda villages, the World Bank Country Director, Michael Carter, told presspersons that even three weeks after the tragedy, the impact could still be felt and a lot needed to be done for rehabilitation.

Mr. Carter appreciated the relief and rehabilitation works undertaken by the State Government and the district administration.

The Country Director of the Asian Development Bank, Louis de Jonghe, said the team intended mitigating the sufferings, taking a long-term perspective.

Warning system

Asked whether installation of a tsunami warning system would be part of the package, Mr. Jonghe said the Centre was seized of the matter and if a request was made, the team would consider it.

Asked how soon the aid would come, he said that in the normal course it might take three-four months but in this exigency, he hoped that the technical studies would be completed within a month or so and the modalities worked out in a time frame.

Shyamal Sarkar, senior sanitary engineer of the World Bank, said if need be the Centre would be asked to change the policy on coastal settlements.

The World Bank had in the past 10-12 years extended aid to the tune of $ 26 billion internationally to tide over natural calamities. For the Gujarat earthquake relief, it gave $ 700 million.

Money would not be given directly, but the beneficiary country would be asked to create assets, said Mr. Sarkar.

Nagapattinam visit: Page 4

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