Disaster

(Extract)

SYRIA: HELPING DISPLACED PEOPLE

The ongoing conflict in Syria has displaced thousands who are fleeing violence to seek security in towns and cities. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is in contact with partners in Syria and the region to assess the needs of those individuals and families.

Initial assistance may include clothing, health kits, and household goods, such as a small stove or heater. UMCOR is preparing to respond in the most appropriate way.

(MissionNewswire) Salesians continue relief efforts in local villages devastated by Cyclone Thane. The beginning of the New Year brought destruction to parts of Southeast India. On the evening of Dec. 31, 2011, Cyclone Thane barreled through the districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Puducherry. In its wake, residents dealt with leveled homes, uprooted trees, flooded farmlands that destroyed precious crops and the death of dozens of men, women and children.

The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) has just released €1 million to help the victims of the cyclone-ravaged districts of Cuddalore, Villuppuram, and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Cyclone Thane struck Tamil Nadu in the last days of 2011. The 140 km per hour winds killed 48 people, and destroyed or damaged up to 350,000 homes, ruined electricity and communications systems and flattened large areas of standing crops.

By Anto Akkara

Following the devastating cyclone that wrecked havoc in India's southern Tamil Nadu state at year end, church charities are getting aid to affected families.

"People are still struggling without electricity, [with] roofless houses and roads blocked by fallen trees," said Florina Benoit, chief zonal officer of Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA). Benoit was speaking to ENInews on 16 January from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, after a weekend visit to the worst-hit remote villages around Cuddalore.

“I work as weaver on daily wages earning around Rs.70 to 100 per day. ‘Thane’ destroyed our house and I have lost opportunities to work. I do not know how to get back to normal life. I am still waiting for assistance from the government.” Says 70 year old Rajalingam, who lives with his wife Ramachi at MGR Nagar, Meenachipettai in Kurinjipadi block of Cuddalore district.

Christian Aid has released £50,000 to partner organisations in India after more than 6000 Indian villagers were forced from their homes and 48 were killed by Cyclone Thane.

The storm swept through the east-Indian coastal state of Tamil Nadu on December 30 uprooting trees, destroying roads and buildings and bringing down power lines.

January 10, 2012 New Delhi

The Prime Minister has announced an interim relief to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry which were affected by cyclone Thane in the last week of December. The interim relief based on the preliminary reports is Rs 500 crores for Tamil Nadu and Rs 125 crores for Puducherry. A central government team is currently visiting the affected areas and will be submitting its report on its return based on which a final relief as may be admissible will be sanctioned.

By Reeni Amin Chua, IFRC

On the morning of 30 December, Cyclone Thane battered India’s south-east coast causing thousands to flee from their homes. In its wake, the cyclone left an immense trail of destruction and devastated the beginning to 2012 for many. Early action by volunteers of the Indian Red Cross Society deployed before the disaster was able to reduce the impact of the severe storm.