The Hindu : National : Tsunami response in India `above average'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 15, 2005

National

National

Tsunami response in India `above average'

Special Correspondent

A comparative study puts it ahead of Sri Lanka, Indonesia

CHENNAI: A comparative study on tsunami response strategies in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia has revealed that India had made an "above average" performance in regard to provision of food, water, clothing and medical care in the first 48 hours.

Indonesia reported low levels of satisfaction with all the three services while in Sri Lanka, the services were generally rated "adequate."

In respect of food and medical care, the rating was "above average."

The study was made on the basis of interviews with 2,300 people in the three countries, of which 1,000 were from India, 800 from Sri Lanka and 500 from Indonesia. It was done in phases — the first after 60 days of the disaster and another in September-October.

The study was carried out by Fritz Institute, a United States-based non-profit organisation, along with "tns" (Taylor Nelson Sofres)-India, a global social science research body.

As for the responses in the first 60 days, satisfaction levels in well-known relief services across the countries moved closer to one another. Further, there were similar levels of satisfaction in the three countries on the provision of shelter and toilet facilities which was considered "adequate." Asked about the opinions of the victims in Tamil Nadu, research director of TNS, Nirmala Stephen, told mediapersons that the State had done well and the people had expressed satisfaction with the relief provided by the Government.

Asked whether it was the Centre or the State Government that provided the best relief, she said the victims were not concerned as to who provided them the best treatment. They were generally appreciative of the administration's work.

Vimala Ramalingam, Director (Asia), Fritz Institute, said that fishermen were not happy with the quality of temporary shelters. They wanted the administration to provide patta land close to the sea.

Andamans not included

Asked whether the study covered the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ms. Stephen said it was not included as the administration had not given any clearance initially to the study.

"Only now, the authorities are allowing people to do surveys and the islands will be included subsequently. However, a non-governmental organisation will present its finding (at a conference to be held at Chennai on Thursday)."

Lynn Fritz, director-general, and Anisya Thomas, managing director of the Institute, said the study highlighted the need to link preparedness and performance for effective disaster relief.

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