Isha Foundation responds to the devastating floods of Cuddalore, Chidambaram and Trichy Districts
28 November, 2005
November 28, 2005
[Isha Foundation, Coimbatore].
The northeast monsoon rain, from 18th November 2005 until 24th November 2005, wreaked havoc in the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Hundreds of lives were lost in rain related incidents. The torrential downpour also caused substantial damage to the local infrastructure and many houses were washed away. Over 500,000 people fled their homes or were evacuated for their own safety. Isha Foundation provided immediate and ongoing relief, from November 20th until December 2nd, in response to this natural calamity, dispatching 6 fully equipped Mobile Health Clinics to the affected areas, along with 45 Isha doctors and 350 Isha volunteers.
Satellite vehicles with medical teams from the Foundation’s Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR) project provided relief to victims of 87 affected villages in Cuddalore, Chidambaram and Trichy. The 45 doctors, along with KAP Vishwanath Medical College, Trichy, used the services of the Mobile Health Clinics to distribute free medical treatment to 37,253 affected patients. 25,000 food packets, including freshly cooked meals and water, were distributed as an immediate relief to those who lost their livelihood. Milk was served to over 1000 children, twice a day, insuring proper nutrition of infants. Bed sheets, mats and school uniforms were also handed out to the victims.
Isha Foundation volunteers surveyed the disaster hit areas and identified isolated villages which were not reached by government staff and other relief operators. As clean water sources were unavailable, villagers often used the flood water for their immediate needs and to stave off dehydration. This presented a huge threat of epidemics in the areas. Isha Foundation’s doctors conducted prompt awareness campaigns in each village, highlighting the dangers of poor sanitation and hygiene.
Witnessing the Foundation’s dedicated and efficient operations in the villages, many health professionals, college students and local people came forth and joined the Isha volunteers to offer their assistance to the victims, working tirelessly for 12-13 hours in a day. Isha Foundation and its volunteer teams and doctors have extensive experience in disaster relief, including the massive relief and rehabilitation initiatives following the December 2004 tsunami.
Currently, most of the villagers are in a deep state of shock and helplessness, having seen their homes and villages become inhabitable. Specially designed yoga classes which have proved to be extremely efficient for victim of the tsunami trauma relief, will be offered to these villagers to re-establish their psychological well-being, helping them return to their daily life. The total cost of the flood relief has so far reached up to 9,28,795 Rupees.
The 6 Mobile Health Clinics deployed to the disaster areas are part of the ARR’s fleet of 21 Mobile Health Clinics. Fully equipped with medically qualified staff, the Mobile Health Clinics also played a crucial role in providing relief to the Tsunami victims, including giving vaccination on a large scale to prevent outbreaks of epidemics. The ARR project is a pioneering social outreach program that aims at providing medical relief and further bringing an end to human suffering in the remote villages of India - revitalizing its rural societies and thereby strengthening the very roots of the nation. The ARR project is operated by highly qualified volunteers who carry out their work with enormous integrity and dedication. ARR is currently in operation in the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Contact:
swami.nisarga
E-mail: swami.nisarga@ishafoundation.org
Tel: (0422)2615304
