IPPNW-Students India

Final Statement of the Tsunami Relief Seminar

January 22nd, 2005, Chennai

The following resolutions have been passed in the seminar.

1. This seminar pays homage to the thousands and thousands of people who have been killed by the terrible Tsunami waves on 26.12.2004.

2. Every year thousands of people were killed in India due to various disasters including natural disasters like earth quake, flood, drought etc., so, we urge the Central and State Governments to concentrate, and pay more attention to the disaster prevention and management. We request the Government to setup a high level expert committee to give valuable suggestions, recommendations to improve our skills and capabilities in the filed of disaster management. Relief Code should be framed and implemented, which is already in implementation in Maharastra and Orrisa. It is necessary to bring coordinated work between various departments like defense, police, fire service, medical services during the disaster times. For that Central and State Government should take necessary adequate steps.
3. We request the state government to establish Peoples’ committees comprising of Panchayat Leaders, Ward Members, Councilors, All Party Leaders and leaders of all sections of the society for fare distribution of Relief Materials. There should not be any discrimination in the name of caste, religion and haves and have-nots. Government must ensure that the relief materials are reaching properly to the Dalits.
4. We request the State Government to start Government Medical Colleges at Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Cuddalore. More funds should be allocated to the Coastal region Hospitals. The facilities in these hospitals should be increased Primary Health Centers should be made with full facilities to function as 24 hours health care centers. Adequate doctors, nurses, para medical staffs and other employees should be posted immediately, and all vacancies should be filled at once. Helipads should be established in all Medical College Hospitals and Air Ambulance system should be started immediately. That will be more helpful during the time of Disasters to save the precious lives of victims.
5. We request the Central Government to start a National Institute of Mental Health and Research Centre in the Tsunami affected region in Tamil Nadu immediately.
6. We request the State Government to pay Rs.1000/- monthly for the Fishermen families for at least 6 months and Kerosene, Rice, Sugar and basic food stuffs should be given free of cost for 6 months.
7. Residential houses should be built immediately for the Tsunami victims and basic health facilities should be provided immediately. Recreation facilities Playing facilities should be established and Computer centers should be started in various places in the coastal region for the Tsunami affected students and youth. Schools and Child Care Centers should be established for eradicating Child labor in that region. Government should pay more attention to the orphaned children and special care should be given for their brought-up.