IAG Meeting on Cyclone Gaja 17th Nov 2018, Avvai Village Welfare Society,

Agencies Present

1. AVSWS, NAGAI 2. CREED, Cuddalore 3. BHARATHAMADHA, Thiruvarur 4. BWDC, Thiruvarur 5. VENGADESWARA ERDT, Thiruvarur 6. WORLDVISION, Nagapattinam 7. BEDROK, Nagapattinam 8. KARUNALAYA, Nagapattinam 9. HELPAGE INDIA, Nagapattinam 10. NAMCO, Thiruvarur 11. MNTN, Cuddalore 12. PEACE TRUST, Nagapattinam 13. SEED, Nagapattinam 14. TMSS, Tanjavur 15. HOPE, Pondicherry 16. BLESS, Cuddalore 17. VBEDS, Karaikkal. 18. SCF, Pondicherry 19. SCORD, Thruvarur 20. MERCY CORPS, New Delhi 21. ADRA, Chennai 22. OMCAR, Tanjavur 23. BEST, Pudukottai 24. Gandhi Peace Keeping Center, Thiruvarur 25. Sevalaya, Nagapattinam 26. ODAM, Nagapattinam

The proceedings started with Mr.Krishnakumar of Avvai Village Welfare Society welcoming the gathering which was followed by the an introduction to the meeting by Mr.Vctor of HOPE, where he mentioned that this meeting was get an understanding on the impact of the Cyclones Gaja and look at the needs. As the impacts of the Cyclones Gaja have not been clear, it is important get a first hand information on the impacts. The impact so far which is available is mostly on the damages to electric poles and uprooting of trees. Hence there is an need to get an idea of the impact of houses and settlements. Mr. Krishnakumar also added on that this meeting is intended to look at impacts based on different livelihood and categories associated with the same which will help to look at a way forward and follow-up actions.

Based on the sharing of the representatives who attended the meeting, the following are some of the impact

 Significant loss of trees. Some of the trees have fallen on the houses and damaged the houses. Approach road to many villages in the worst impacted areas are blocked. Only since 17th accessibility to some villages have started

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 In the villages which were inaccessible and now accessible, damages to houses have been noticed. Some villages people are also finding it difficult to get food and water.  Many thatched houses have damaged in the affected areas and similarly the roofs of the tiled roof houses have been damaged. Even for houses with Tin Sheet roofs the roofs have been damaged  The government enumerations are still to be complete and details are not available. However in the villages where NGOs have assessment some information were collected.  There is significant loss to the Coconut Trees, Mango Trees, Cashew Trees and Banana Plantation which has affected the livelihood of many.  Extensive damages to boats have been noticed in Nagapattinam and Loss to livestock has also been reported  The Government enumeration is going on clear update on the same is not available as of yet. The inaccessibility is some areas is posing a threat for this process  The significant loss to electric poles have led the power failure for the second continuous day and adding on the problem.  As some of the districts are not Cyclone Prone area the affected people have staying in school / institutes with not substantial facilities.

These are the affected Districts and Blocks as shared by the members

Sl.No District Block 1 Karaikkal Kottucherri, TR Pattinam, Nedunkadu 2 Nagapattinam , Keelaiyur, Kilvelur, Mayiladythurai, Nagapattinam, Thiumarugar 3 Tiruvarur , Muthupettai, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur, Kottur, Meeramangalam 4 Tanjavur Pattukottai, Sethubavasamuthuram, Orathnadu, Peraaurani, Tanjavur 5 Pudukottai Annavasal, Karambakudi, Kulldarkoil, Manamelkudi, Pudukottai, Thivararnkulam

It was also reported that severe impacts were there in parts of Dindigul district, details are awaited Need

 Food and Water  Dry Rations  Non Food Item  Shelter (Tarpaulin  Support to Livelihood (Horticulture and Fishing)

Follow-up  Agencies were requested to collect the secondary data from the District Administration and also continue with the assessment process  Agencies should continue to intervene and in the process also identify the gaps  IAG TN would start the process of Assessment from Monday 19th Nov 2018. The Assessment would be done with KoBo Collect Mobile App. The Assessment would start with an orientation programme.

Mr. Antonysamy of BLESS concluded the meeting encouraging Agencies to do the follow-up and also continue to assess the field situation as it is important the filed realities should be made known.

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