South Asia Catastrophe Update 7

Monday 3 January 2005: The latest dispatch from The Salvation Army’s India Central headquarters reports that relief work is continuing in Chennai, Machilipatnam, Nellore, Divi and Nagapattinam. Rice and cooking materials have been supplied to 405 fishermen’s families in Machilipatnam, and to 500 families in Nellore. In Chennai, near Marina beach, food supplies are being distributed to 1,000 people every day

The coastal area of Nagapattinam, with its 73 villages, is the scene of The Salvation Army’s main relief effort in the region, supervised by Disaster Co-ordinator Captain John Kumar. Large quantities of clothing, bedding, food and sanitary supplies have been distributed, and the local people are being supported and counselled.

To foster a community spirit of mutual support, as well as to meet the need for hot food, The Salvation Army has established a community kitchen, run by local people, equipped to prepare food twice daily for 1,200 people. The kitchen comprises three large tents, lit by gas in the absence of an electricity supply.

In South-East India, Salvation Army teams have been serving 56 camps housing homeless people from 33 villages in the Tamil Nadu area. Food, water, clothing and bedding has been provided, and medical care given by Salvation Army doctors. Preparatory work is underway for the reconstruction of houses, the repair of fishing boats and replacement of fishing nets.