REHABILITATION ACTIVITY WITH THE SUPPORT OF BUND FUER GEISTESFREIHEIT (BFG)
ARTHIK SAMATA MANDAL - VIJAYAWADA

Benz Circle, Patamata, Vijayawada-520 010
ANDHRA PRADESH - INDIA
Phone: 0866-476264; Fax: 0866-473433

1. PREAMBLE

1.1 A DESCRIPTION OF THE CALAMITY:

The Indian State of Andhra Pradesh with its 1000 Kms Coastal line, stretching along the Bay of Bengal, has experienced innumerable cyclones over the years. Nothing, however, had prepared the people for the intensity of the cyclone which hit the coast on 6th November, 1996. This was followed by tidal wave and floods inundating a number of villages in East and West Godavari Districts. The cyclone storm in the core of hurricane winds with a velocity of more than 220 KMPH and Torrential rains wreaked havoc across wide areas, in East and West Godavari Districts.

The cyclone of 1996 was much more severe than the one which occurred in 1977 and 1990 in Krishna and Guntur Districts.

It is devastation beyond description. Entangled corpses, uprooted giant coconut trees, twisted electricity and telephone poles on one side and skeletal remains of houses and sheets of water every where.

It took just a couple of hours for the killer hurricane to destroy the prosperity and scenic splendour that Konaseema region in East Godavari and other parts of the West Godavari districts stood for.

Though thousands feel victim to nature's fury, yet thousands more withstood the hell to tell tales of misery and suffering, surviving on sheer indomitable human quirit.

The severity of the storm and the colossal devastation to life, live-stock, standing crops (agriculture, horticulture and fisheries) and property had not only shaken the population of East and West Godavari and the state administration, but also the central administration (Govt. of India). This calamity was so extensive that the Government declared it as a "National Disaster"

Residential houses and school buildings collapsed, thousands of trees were uprooted. Telecommunications were disrupted, road and rail links were cut off. There were breaches to river and tank bunds, fields were flooded and irrigation system was destroyed. Some 4.5 million people were affected. The loss of property was estimated to 5,375 crores.

Experience has shown that in a calamity of this nature the Government effort alone can not be a remedy for the entire situation unless supplemented by the voluntary action.

1.2 STATISTICS:

- Casualties 971
- Total villages affected 1,385
- Total houses damaged 4,27,000
- Total People affected 45,00,000
- Paddy Crop 3,46,810 (in Hectares)
- Other Crops 52,553 "
- Coconut 30,000 "
- Horticultural Crops 81,253 "
- Houses (Fully damaged) 3,33,638
- Houses (Partially) 31,14,270 "
- Livestock 19,595 "
- Acriculture 4,443.00(Rs. in Crores)
- Housing 642.00 "
- Municipal Admn & Urban Devp 90.00 "
- APSEB 100.00 "
- Panchayat & Rural Devp 39.27 "
- Fisheries 26.77 "
- Animal Husbandry 13.68
- Roads & Buildings 7.50
- Irrigation 7.32 "
- Others 5.18 "

1.3 OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEMS:

Several problems arouse out of this unprecedented colossal devastation. I. Food II. Shelter III. Health & Sanitation IV. Unemployment V. Agricultural and Horticulture VI. Orphan children VII. Destitution VIII. Environment IX. Education.

1.4 THE RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNMENT:

Immediately after the cyclone hit, both the local and national Governments responded quickly. The Prime Minister of India and the important members of the Central cabinet, the state Chief Minister, the Government officials have visited the area putting all their efforts to console the victims and to provide necessary relief and rehabilitation to the affected population besides rescue operations.

The State Government provided 25kgs of rice, 5 lts of kerosene, 4 pieces of clothing to each affected family in the districts of East and West Godavari. The Government also allocated an amount of rupees one lakh to those families who lost its earning member in the cyclone . The Government also provided an amount of rupees one thousand for the house completely damaged and rupees five hundred for the house partially damaged.

The above food supply was just enough for two weeks only. There was no other source of sustenance to the affected families as all the standing crops and food storages were damaged. Therefore there was a need to supplement food shortage for another two to four weeks until people could resume earning a livelihood.

Also the Government financial assistance of rupees one thousand or five hundred was not enough to repair the damaged houses. Therefore there was a need to supplement to financial assistance either in kind or in money for the quick repairs of the huts. There is a great need to plan and think about cyclone proof permanent houses to sustain them in the event of such disaster occur again.

2. VOLUNTARY RESPONSE AN OVERVIEW

A number of non-Governmental voluntary organisations have responded the challenge posed by the cyclone disaster these include the Save the Children Fund, U.K., OXFAM, U.K., the Christian Action, CARE, AWARE, and Catholic Relief Society. Some have worked directly and some through local NGOs. These local people responded immediately in rescue and relief activities by providing food and cloths. These are the local women groups, youth groups, village panchayats, rice miller associations, chamber of commerce and chapters of Lions and Rotarians.

2.1 Arthik Samata Mandal (A. S. M.), a local non-governmental Social service organisation working closely with the poor and vulnerable communities eversince 1977 Andhra cyclone plunged whole heartedly in the relief and rehabilitation work in the affected East and West Godavari districts. It has sent a batch of volunteers to East and West Codavari for rescue operations along with a team of medical personnel. An assessment was also made about the damages and a great need was felt for an outside intervention. In view of this ASM decided to work in eight villages in East Godavari and 22 villages in West Godavari which were severely affected and no relief is reaching in time and no other NGO is working there.

2.2 ASM is a registered society under Societies Act registered in 1978. It has also registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs to receive foreign contributions for all its service and developmental activities.

2.3 ASM started its activities as a relief agency during the 1977 cyclone and slowly become a development agency over the period of two decades i.e., 1977-1997. The priorities of ASM have been tackling poverty, preventing and reducing vulnerability, everting and responding to disasters, strengthening people's ability to meet sustenance and livelihood. The main focus of the organisation are health, education, livelihood and income generation activities and habitat. ASM's main focus is Children, Integration of the disabled, Gener equity, Environment and Dalits.

ASM's CONTACT WITH BUND FUER GEISTESFREIHEIT (BFG).

Prof. Mark Lindley a Gandhian Scholar who was doing research on Gandhi and Gora introduced us to BFG. Mark visited the villages where ASM has been operating for the uplift of the poor for the last twenty years through various activities such as education, health, disability, women development besides social change activities for a comprehensive Human Development.

Mark was in Vijayawada (Krishna Dist., Andhra Pradesh) when the recent cyclone disaster occurred in two of the districts of Andhra Pradesh i.e., West Godavari and East Godavari. He has carefully followed the media to know the intensity of the devastation. He has also experienced the concern of the respective Governments, the international community and the local non Goveramental organisations and their efforts to help the affected poor. I am happy to mention that he was closely associated with ASM's relief, rehabilitation activities for the victims of Andhra cyclone. In view of the above Mark moved very much and felt the need to introduce ASM to BFG for its intervention and necessary support to ASM in this humanitarian work. We are happy that BFG has responded to our appeal and considered favourably to supoort ASM with an grant of Rs.889O3.09 as its first instalment. We are grateful to BFG for the same. We have received this amount on 14.4.1997.

THE PRESENT PROGRAMME

ASM has decided to work in collaboration with BFG for the rehabilitation of the village artisans particularly traditional Handloom weavers who have severely affected by the recent cyclone (1996) lost their source of livelihood i.e., handlooms, besides their huts.

The specific objectives of the programme was to bring selected weaver families who were affected by the cyclone under their own occupation and known skill i.e., Handloom weaving through supply of handloms, spinning wheels and accessories.

ACHIEVEMENTS

ASM has selected 60 handloom weaver families to support for the repairs, renovation and supply of new looms and Charakas at Tirumalagiri village panchayat Sivapuram) in West Godavari District. ASM also selected 38 families who required housing material to repair the damaged houses. ASM has successfully completed the rehabilitation programme with the funds provided by BFG The details are as follows.

LIST OF BENEFICIARIES

- 60 Weavers have been provided new Handlooms.

- 30 Women particularly aged women from Handloom Weaver families were provided Spinning Wheels.

- 38 Weaver families were provided roofing material for their huts.

It has taken a longer period than anticipated due to non-availability of wood required for the preparation of looms and spinning wheels. We have tried to improve the Traditional looms with minor alterations. We also provided training to these weavers in upgrading their skills in weaving.

FUTURE PLANS

There is an urgent need for the upgradation of looms. All the weavers depend on pitlooms on which they cannot work during the rainy season. This was due to the fact that there will be seepage water collection in the pits as tha placa of work in low laying to the ground level. The remains stagnated for weaks together. Also it effects a great deal on their health. Therefore ASM plans to upgrade the looms by converting the pitlooms into stand looms. Which require an additional amount of Rs.1500/- investment each weaver family. We are trying to raise funds for this activity.

While we are extremely grateful to BFG for the timely help and support to the victims of Andhra Cyclone 1996. We take this opportunity of thanking to Prof. Mark Lindley who has been an instrumental for our partnership with BFG in this humanitarian effort/work.

Anhang:

ARTHIK SAMATA MANDAL

Names of the Beneficiaries who received handlooms
under the support of Bund fuer Geistesfreiheit (BFG)

(Vollständige Liste der Empfänger kann in der Geschäftsstelle des Bundes für Geistesfreiheit München, Valleystr. 27, eingesehen werden)