Tsunami Relief - Cuddalore - February 2005

On hearing the news of the devastation caused by tsunami waves, HOPE foundation flung into action with the available staff on its rescue mission to the most badly hit coastal districts. One of them, Cuddalore district is around 180 Kms away from Chennai, about 4 hours drive.

The first Immediate Relief team landed in Sonakuppam. The medical clinic started at that time was functional till 27/1/2005.

HOPE foundation has carried out the following activities in one month's time.

i) Survey for Damage Assessment: Sothikuppam, Sona Kuppam, Chithirapettai and Rasapettai.

ii) Initially medical camps were started in Sothikuppam, Sonakuppam & Rasapettai. The camp at Sonakuppam & Sothikuppam was functional till 27/1/2005. A total of 5140 patients have been treated in these camps. The teams dispensed medicines for bruises, pains, aches and common ailments like cough.

A team of Doctors deputed from Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Doctors from the Primary Health Clinic (a unit of Government Hospital) and other Medical Professionals were part of these camps.
Nonverba, Nilgiris Druggist & Chemist Association, A.G. Church, ICOC- Pondicherry, Denave, Lions Club of Ooty Crown were among others who donated medicines.

iii) HOPE team also distributed 3000 Food packets.

Sheela, a volunteer organized 1000 packets of food and 12 sacks of water pouch.
R.P. Star Hotel situated at Oorapakkam donated 1000 packets of food.
Many other volunteers also organized food packets to be distributed among the victims.

iv) Mr. and Mrs. Roy have been magnanimous in supporting HOPE's relief operations. They personally transported relief material from HOPE's office, Chennai to Cuddalore, making at least 10 trips.

v) HOPE team distributed mats, bed sheets, plates, rice, dhal and other essential items through the Village council.

Large-hearted Software Professionals from SAP Lab, Bangalore sponsored medicines, 100 packets of rice and 50 packets of Dhal containing about 2 kgs. of rice and 1 kg. of dhal each.
They also did community cooking with the help of HOPE staff and the villagers. Their work enabled food to be served for 600 people.

vi) Counseling and Support: By and large, the greatest need of the hour, lending an ear to the community. It helped them vent their feelings and share their distress – especially at the huge number of lives claimed by the Tsunami.

vii) HOPE staff taught the women in the villages to prepare ORS powder. Our staff also educated them on its administration to their children.

viii) Earthquake Disaster Management: Educated them on the steps to be taken in case of future tremors.

ix) Village Council Meeting: The HOPE staff addressed the council on the health, hygiene and earth management.

x) Disposal of dead bodies: Buried the carcasses of 2 cows that the villagers refused to touch. HOPE staff disinfected the area where such deaths had taken place. They also got together to clean up the whole village.

xi) Government's vaccination drive: Got vaccinations for Cholera and Measles besides Vitamin A supplements. Our staff administered it to around 100 children (6 months to 5 yrs).

HOPE's presence along with the volunteers there reassured the people and calmed their anxieties about the future.