Tamil Nadu - Others   

Helping the tsunami affected

Special Correspondent

Bangalore-based foundation shows the way

Bangalore: A year after the tsunami hit the East Coast, Sumanahalli, a foundation to help leprosy and HIV-affected people in Bangalore, has something to feel proud about.

It was one of the first agencies to reach the tsunami-hit areas in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. The volunteers immediately took up relief work in 23 villages, providing medicine, food and clothing to the affected. They began rehabilitation work in seven villages with over 1,000 families, and some of the work is continuing.

Novel concept

"We distributed over 100 boats at a cost of Rs. 1.5 lakh and introduced a novel concept of shared ownership of boats, which is changing the socio-economic status of fishermen there," George Kannathanam, director of Sumanahalli, says.

Most of the fishermen affected by the tsunami had never owned boats; they worked for others. "We thought this could be the opportunity to create a long-term change in the lives of fishermen. We decided to provide boats for all but with joint ownership. Now, six families in each village own a boat," Fr. Kannathanam explains.

Insurance cover

To ensure a good future for children in the affected villages, Sumanahalli also arranged for insurance cover in collaboration with St. Joseph's of Trabes Sisters.

The children are now insured under the Jeevan Kishore programmes of the LIC. Each child will stand to gain Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.2 lakh (depending on the bonus declared) when they reach 25 years of age.

Insurance coverage for children has been carried out in the three villages of Maduvapalam, Annankoil and Rasapettai in Cuddalore district. Altogether, 411 children have benefited from the programme.

Apart from this, all fishermen helped by Sumanahalli and their boats have been insured. After the first year, the families themselves have to pay the insurance premium.

The organisation also sought the help of trainee counsellors and psychotherapists to help the survivors overcome their trauma. As Fr. Kannathanam says: "They lost not only their boats and nets but also the inner strength and confidence to live in a highly challenging work situation... many developed a fear psychosis about the sea. Children would no longer go near the water."

The first programme taken up was the "Brief Expressive Therapy" for children who gave vent to their feelings and gradually overcame their fears. Later, a team of 20 counsellors was trained from among local people and placed in the communities for six months to deal with the long-term psychological impact of the tsunami. Most fishermen and their families now lead a normal life.

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