The undersea earthquake near <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Sumatra on December 26 was the most powerful earthquake recorded in the last 40 years. The calamitous Tsunami that followed caused widespread disaster and claimed 200,000 human lives in perhaps the world’s worst natural disaster in recent times. In India where 12,500 people were killed, the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala were the most affected.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Humanists have a strong organisational presence in Andhra Pradesh where some 35,000 people had to be evacuated in the coastal area. IHEU joined hands with the Atheist Center, Vijayawada, to help in victim rehabilitation in Andhra Pradesh. Youth Humanist leader Vikas Gora, who coordinated the Tsunami Relief efforts on behalf of the Humanist community, reports from the field.

The Plight of the Fisherfolk

January 26, 2005 marked one month since the Tsunami that had devastated the lives, livestock and livelihood of coastal communities. The disaster knew no boundaries as it spread from Sumatra to India,  Srilanka, Maldives and Kenya. Tsunami was never heard of in the region of the Bay of Bengal and people were caught offguard – one such place is Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Here, the fisherfolk were the worst affected as fishing gear was destroyed. Added to this, many of the terrified fisherfolk did not venture into the sea following the Tsunami for fear of after shocks.

Though help poured in from many quarters from December 26th, 2004, very little reached the remotest villages. Despite assurances from the Government, the local people were left high and dry as the only aid they received was that of 25 kilograms of rice per family which lasted them for just two weeks. With no income, and widespread confusion, the starving fishing families were becoming increasingly despondent.

Arthik Samata Mandal (A.S.M.)

In this context, Arthik Samata Mandal of Atheist Centre, which has 27 years of experience in the field of disaster management and comprehensive rural development, stepped in to help rebuild the livelihoods of the coastal communities in some villages. Initially ASM undertook a disaster assessment survey through which it could interact with the fisherfolk. It was important to involve the community and to assess their needs, rather than impose solutions. It was clear that all the fisher-folk wanted to rebuild their livelihoods and that they would in turn buy food with their hard earned money, even though some of the old people and children were still dependent on food aid. ASM interacted with the Village Level Committees and Gram Sabhas (Local Self Government at Village level) aiming to identify the priorities for intervention and to list the most needy beneficiaries. This was also an exercise in transparency and aimed at involving all in a cooperative manner. The Gram Sabha approved of a list of beneficiaries, determined the level of livelihood damage and listed the fishing gear required. This was submitted to ASM and based on the resolution as well as the existing financial resources, ASM identified fishing gear as the key issue.

Relief material

To avoid the widespread confusion and clamour that accompanies relief work, a fool-proof system was chalked out for the rehabilitation work. ASM volunteers distributed token slips (containing the beneficiary name, father’s name, village name, list of the fishing equipment to the beneficiaries) a couple of days before the actual distribution of the equipment. Everyone was asked to bring the token slip along with them to avail the benefit which included the following items:

1. 50 meters Blue Mesh – For 5 fishing nets

2. 2 meters White Mesh – Fishing Net

3. 80 meters of Plastic Rope

4. 70 meters of Plastic cloth

5. An Aluminium pot

It was gratifying to all that wholesale dealers in the materials being distributed were very helpful by giving the best price and offering the maximum possible concession. Prasad Textiles, Vijayawada, dealers in fishing material, gave a concession amounting to 10% and Sun Light Metal Works, Vijayawada from which aluminium pots were purchased gave 5% concession towards the Tsunami rehabilitation work as their own contribution from the relief efforts. The local truck company cut down the transportation cost to half to take the equipment from Vijayawada to Koduru.

IHEU’s Help

With the monetary help of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (US Dollars 70,000), Free Thinkers Association of Germany and friends from India and abroad, on January 26th, 2005, a rehabilitation program was undertaken in Koduru Town for 114 families from Pattauppakalli of Nagayalanka Revenue Mandal and 62 families from Basavanipalem of Koduru Revenue Mandal of Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh. Fishing nets were made available to the families.

January 26th marked the Republic Day of India and the rehabilitation program was organized at ASM Koduru Campus (Office) for the affected fisherfolk families from the two villages. Apart from them, Dr. Vijayam, Executive Director of Atheist Centre, Ms. Nau Gora, Executive Secretary of Arthik Samata Mandal, Dr. Maru, Medical Director of Arthik Samata Mandal, Mr. Ch. Satyanarayana, Project Director for ASM-PLAN, Krishna Project and Mr. Vikas Gora, Project In-charge of the Tsunami Rehabilitation participated. Village level volunteers and coordinators also participated.

Before the actual distribution a meeting was organized at 11.30 a.m. on January 26th, in which representatives from the Atheist Centre and Arthik Samata Mandal explained the process of identification of the beneficiaries, the bottom-up approach adopted, and the fishing items that were going to be distributed as well as mentioning the names of the donors because of whom the rehabilitation work became possible.

Health Care

After the meeting, the actual distribution process began when people from each village were asked to attend a simultaneous medical camp which was conducted by Dr. Maru of Atheist Centre, who examined people and gave necessary medicines free of charge – made possible through the generous help of Dr. Pai and his friends from Mumbai, India. After the check-up each beneficiary showed the token which he/she received, revealing his details to the ASM staff who in turn cross-checked the names and signatures with the Gram Sabha list and then distributed the fishing gear kits.

Care was taken to ensure that the victims were treated with respect and dignity and some of them – with tears in their eyes – said that they thought their lives were washed away as they had lost their livelihood. Now they say that their hopes and their lives are being rebuilt. The fishing kit along with an aluminium pot given per family is valued at about Rs. 1500 including the transportation and other costs.

In February, ASM intends to continue its livelihood rehabilitation work in 3 more similarly affected villages.

ASM aims to gradually extend its rehabilitation activities based on the availability of the resources, to reach out to many more Tsunami victims. A survey and identification of the beneficiaries has already been undertaken.

On behalf of the Atheist Center and ASM I would like to thank the international Humanist Community for responding to IHEU’s call for assistance and for helping make a difference in the lives of those devastated by the killer Tsunami.

By Vikas Gora