Due to heavy rains and the release of excess water from the dams, millions of people were affected in districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Cuddalore. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind along with SIO volunteers went to the field and conducted relief work rigorously.
THE FIRST STAGE
Elders, women and children who were stranded in the flood in Adambakkam, Perumbur, Jamalia and Mettupalayam were rescued and taken to safety. Accommodation was arranged for the affected people at Dashamakhan mosque. Milk, bread, candles, breakfast and lunch were provided continuously for four days in Aminjikarai, BP Garden, Azad Nagar, Adambakkam, Velacherry, Saidapet, Dashamakhan, Kannigapuram, Puzhianthope, Ennore, Athipattu, Chindadripet, Pattabiram, Perambakkam and Avadi. Through this relief work, more than 10,000 people benefited in the first stage of relief work.
THE SECOND STAGE
Starting from December 6, the relief work included removing debris, cleaning and providing medical aid. On December 6, drainage and stagnant water was also cleared in Saidapet’s Thideer Nagar. The volunteers also cleaned two streets, two mosques and two temples in that area. On December 7, stagnant water from Kotturpuram was cleared and also a mosque and a temple were cleaned in the same area. They also cleaned the Government school’s campus and classrooms. ESI Hospital in Perumbur Highway was also cleaned.
On December 8, a medical camp was held at Puzhianthope along with ESI Hospital. More than 400 people were benefited through this camp. On December 9, a medical camp was held at the railway platforms of Ennore, Athipattu and Puthunagar and more than 600 people were benefited. Further, on December 10 and December 13, medical camps were held again in Adambakkam and Ennore respectively. More than 1000 people were benefited through these camps. Medical camps were also held at Chindadripet and Kannigapuram. Many more medical camps are planned to take place as well. 2500 people were benefited in total through these medical camps.
Daily kits worth Rs 35 Lakhs were provided for the affected people. The kits included bread, milk, biscuit, mat, candles, water pots, blankets, water, groceries, pampers and clothes for babies and kids. These kits were provided for people in Mogappair, Ennore, Adambakkam, SVM Nagar, Ceonnagar, Kattukuppam, Athipattu, Puthukarai, Dashakhan, Puzhianthope, Kotturpuram and Kannigapuram.
As for Chennai, relief kits were also provided for more than 15 areas in Cuddalore District. In this stage nearly 15,500 people were benefited by these kits.
THE THIRD STAGE
As a part of the third stage, it is planned to provide school kids with bags, notebooks, pens and pencils as kits. For people who have lost their business, self-employment opportunities will be created. Houses will be built for those families who have lost their homes. Statistics is being taken for the same.
We hope these relief work initiatives are carried out successfully and the affected people will be truly benefitted.
[The writer is Secretary, Social Service Department, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry]