Request from BHARATHI TRUST/Siddamma seeking Disaster Relief Funds for Irula Families Affected by Floods and Heavy Rain in Cuddalore, November 2015 Tamil Nadu has been hit hard with torrential rains in November 2015. The worst affected area is Cuddalore (180 kilometers from Chennai) which reported the highest number of death due to rains. Atleast 32 people have lost their lives. Also some water borne diseases are on the rise. A total of 520 Irula families are completely washed out and need help with food, blankets and plastic sheets for tents. Please note that the assistance requested is to provide the basic necessities in the affected areas. So far, Kari Siddamma, a long standing ASHA Fellow along with other volunteers of Bharathi Trust is coordinating the efforts on the ground. Bharathi Trust/Siddamma have been working for the empowerment of Irula Tribal Communities since 1990. Sidamma has a great working relationship with these Irula Families and is very well connected with a number of them. For more details and background regarding the work done by Siddamma/Bharathi Trust please visit http://www.ashanet.org/austin/projects/siddamma.html Below is a list of villages and the number of families affected: THITTAKUDI TALUK S. No. 1 2 3 4
Villages A. Agaram Pasikulam Kodikalam Thadinallur
Families 45 25 6 10
CHIDAMBARAM TALUK S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Villages Sethiyathoppu Thavarampattu Sivayam Penpathi Kadavacheri Sathankudi Kuriyamangalam C. Kumaramangalam
Below are some pictures taken by Siddamma during her visit of the affected areas.
Follow up: Savitha Sridharan, founder of Orora Global and ex-project steward for Bharathi Trust (ASHA Austin) is working closely with Sidamma to provide solar lighting to 600 Irula Families affected by the recent floods. Savitha will visit the Irula families in December and provide us updates through a site visit report in January 2016.
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As mentioned above, the funds provided will be used to purchase basic necessities (food, blankets, and plastic sheets). Siddamma has a Sarpam group in each of the communities and they work together to deliver the relief items in the affected area. We would appreciate a prompt response (or questions) from the Asha Team to ensure speedy disbursal of the relief funds.