RESPONSE TO TSUNAMI: C.V. Shankar, Officer on Special Duty, Relief and Rehabilitation, Government of Tamil Nadu (centre), releasing the report in Chennai on Wednesday. Steve Hollingworth, Country Director, CARE (right), and S. Parasuraman, Director, TISS (left), look on. — Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: There should be a more holistic policy on disaster management that not only focusses on relief and rehabilitation but also on the role of communities and institutions, a report published here says.

The report on the response of the State and civil society to the tsunami has been published by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences with the support of CARE and the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department.

Stressing the need for greater transparency and accountability in rehabilitation, the study suggests stringent monitoring of the work done by non-governmental organisations. Ambiguity about use of funds received by the Government and civil society for relief operations should be cleared.

The report found shortcomings in temporary shelters as well as the extent of initial penetration of relief to vulnerable groups and isolated communities such as Dalits and tribal communities. The livelihoods of non-fishing coastal communities, especially salt pan workers, service providers, petty traders and those dependent on agriculture, who were mostly Dalits and tribals, required greater attention.

The report commended the State Government for its proactive role, especially devolution of responsibility to lower level officials and rushing assistance to people, free of political interference.

The Government, it said, was willing to work with civil society organisations, cut down bureaucratic procedures, and be accessible. The NGO sector also rose to the occasion not only by engaging constructively with the Government but also by critiquing the State's policy and efforts wherever necessary.

Officer on Special Duty (Relief and Rehabilitation), C.V. Sankar, who released the report here on Wednesday, said the strategy adopted by the Government was responsible for the successful rehabilitation of tsunami-affected people.

It included focussed leadership at the political and administrative level, complete decentralisation of power, need-based relief to the affected people, streamlining the flow of resources, providing a platform for active participation, coordination with NGOs, corporate and civil societies, strict adherence to quality standards, active participation of community, use of latest technology and focus on conservation of coastal ecology.

CARE India country director Steve Hollingworth said in the first year of the tsunami, the organisation was investing $10.5 million and reaching out to over 1.35 lakh people in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Its aim was to provide higher and sustainable standards of living for the affected.

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