Non-food Relief Kits

Temporary Shelters
LWSI originally proposed to assist 1,000 families with traditional temporary shelters but finally revised the target to 204 families in only Pondicherry region where the government had not issued any specific guidelines on the use of materials for temporary shelters. LWSI/ACT shelters quickly put up and lasting at least for a year using cost-effective, locally resourced materials, were found very useful by the affected people.

Fishermen's Livelihood Kits
After seeing the overwhelming response from other agencies, LWSI reviewed the situation and reduced its original target of providing Livelihood Kits to 350 Self Help Groups, comprising five fisher families each. Livelihood support was provided to 236 groups in 15 villages, benefiting 1,180 fisher families. Each set contains one fibre boat, one 10 HP engine, two types of fishing nets and other accessories like ropes, leads and floats. LWSI facilitated registration of the boats (under collective ownership) with the state fisheries department. All recipient groups are happy with the quality of the products and are regularly going out to the sea for fishing.

LWSI staff also followed up on the fishermen. They have opened group bank accounts in which they deposit a part of their income. These savings will be used for future maintenance of the boats, engines and also for the replenishment of damaged nets and accessories. Some of the groups have already started using their funds.

Permanent House Construction
For families whose dwellings had been completely or partially destroyed, LWSI took up the construction of 880 tsunami and earthquake resistant houses in 10 villages of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Nagapattinam districts. This programme faced many hurdles due to floods, land disputes and exploitative tactics of contractors. Thus the programme got delayed and the pre-estimated cost of the houses had to be increased. Despite these difficulties, LWSI has already completed and handed over 519 houses. Houses have been insured for 10 years.

Beneficiaries participate actively in the construction of the houses and their sense of ownership is evident. Many add boundary walls and extend the houses once they have settled in, transforming a mere house into their home.

Psychosocial Support
The tsunami disaster not only affected lives and properties but also left thousands in severe traumatic conditions. Keeping this in mind, project organized programmes involving different group activities like sports/games both for adults and children to help people forget their grief for some time. Trained LWSI staff also provided trauma counselling on an individual basis. As part of capacity building activity, when Disaster Mitigation Teams were formed in communities, one task force was designated for "First Aid & Psychosocial Service". The community volunteers received specific training to offer psychosocial services.

Capacity Building and Community Based Disaster Preparedness
LWSI has been conducting capacity building and Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) activities right from the inception of the tsunami response project. As a result, positive attitudinal changes are visible among the community members.

The LRRD (Linking Relief Rehabilitation with Development) approach is being followed. Creation of group funds and opening of bank accounts by Self Help Groups (SHGs) were facilitated. SHG members were given training on bookkeeping and leadership development. LWSI organized various awareness programmes in the communities on adolescent issues, gender sensitization, environment, HIV & AIDS, health & nutrition, water & sanitation, and kitchen gardens.

CBDP programmes are being organized for community members, and Disaster Mitigation Teams (DMTs) have been formed. DMT members were given different kinds of skill trainings.

Eco Regeneration through Plantation Programme
The devastating tsunami brought down a great number of trees in the affected areas. In fact if there had been enough plantations, the effect of the tsunami would have been less. LWSI plans to restore green coverage through community and homestead plantations. Saplings of fruits, coconut and timber trees have been planted so far. All the varieties were chosen by the beneficiaries. More plantations, casuarina and other species, which can grow in the salty coastal area, are to be taken up.

Developing Community Infrastructures
Soon cement-concrete roads would be built in the operational villages along with community centres, work sheds and children's park in keeping with the concept of habitat creation to bring the people together. Village ponds will be renovated and drinking water sources created. LWSI is not building simple villages. It is trying to build united and cohesive communities.