Tsunami Relief
On the 26th
December 2004 coastal areas of
India
were hit by the tsunami that devastated many countries in the region.
Two of the
worst affected areas on the Indian mainland were Nagappatinam and Vailankani in
Tamil Nadu. The loss of life and
damage to property was immense; thousands of people were killed and countless
families left destitute. MASARD was
one NGO to provide emergency assistance in the immediate aftermath of the
tsunami helping to save lives and provide relief to survivors.
MASARD provided relief with food, clothing, emergency medical assistance
etc.
MASARD
continues to work in the affected areas, helping families to rebuild their lives.
In these areas, many families relied upon fishing for their livelihood
only to see their fishing boats and nets destroyed by the tsunami.
MASARD has been helping these families rebuild their businesses by
providing fishing boats, catamarans and vending carts and assisting in the
reconstruction of houses.
Asha Kiran Orphanage
As in all such
tragedies, children are the worst sufferers.
Many children in tsunami-affected areas were left orphaned or destitute.
MASARD has been able to help these children by providing food,
accommodation and emergency care in a rented house in Vailankani (Nagappatinam
Dt.). However, this is only a
temporary arrangement. Once
permanent housing has been organised by the government some children will go
back to their families to be cared for by relatives.
MASARD hopes to shift the remaining children without relatives to care
for them to Ashanilaya orphanage in
Bangalore
.
In order to do
this, MASARD is seeking assistance to expand the premises at Ashanilaya to
accommodate 50 children.
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