Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
INITIAL JOINT RAPID NEEDS ASSESSMENT Bihar Floods 2019 Cyclone NIVAR, 2020 (Report version 2 – 96 Hrs)
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
TAMIL NADU & PUDUCHERRY Joint Needs Assessment
2020
Sphere India is a National Coalition of Humanitarian Agencies in India. The membership of 72 organisations include key nodal organizations from UN, INGOs, NGO Networks, National NGOs, CSR and Academic Institutions. 26 State level Inter Agency Groups and 405 local organizations are associate members of Sphere India which are mapped district wise for their sector capacities all over India.
Sphere India Inter-Agency CoordinationProgram coordinates collective efforts for preparedness, response and recovery to ensure timely and effective response to emergency situations. As part of the Standard practice, Sphere India activates Unified Response Strategy for emergency situations and organize Inter Agency Joint Need Assessment (JNA).
Disclaimer: The interpretations, data, views and opinions expressed in this report are collected through field assessments under Joint Need assessment (JNA) process and from media sources are being presented in the document. It does not necessarily carry the views and opinion of individual aid agencies or Sphere India platform (Coalition of humanitarian organizations in India) directly or indirectly.
Sphere India makes every effort to verify the information contained in its Reports. As the ground situation changes rapidly in emergency situations and the access to communities was highly compromised at the time of data collection, users should check with concerned agencies before making any decisions based on the information provided in this report.
Note: The report may be quoted, in part or full, by individuals or organizations for academic or advocacy and capacity building purposes with due acknowledgements. The material in this document should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialized, legal or professional advice. In connection with any particular matter, the material in this document should not be construed as legal advice and the user is solely responsible for any use or application of the material in this document.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and express our gratitude to the humanitarian organisations for their efforts to carry out Initial Joint Rapid Need Assessment and writing report on situation analysis along with recommendations for immediate interventions.
The Joint Rapid Needs Assessment is the result of hard work of the Humanitarian organisations responding to the floods, Inter Agency Group of Tamilnadu, Sphere India Sectoral Committee and the report writing team. The volunteers in the fields have taken personal risks to collect the data through FGDs and individuals for the report.
The Organisations including Wings to hope, Yes Trust, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, World Vision India, HCL Foundation, HCF, Habitat for Humanity India, NDSO, EFICOR, IGSSS, CFI, Don Bosco Annu Illam, V1 Police Boys and Girls Club and Cancer Institute deserve special acknowledgement for collection of field data. We are thankful to the members of Inter Agency Coordination Committee of Sphere India for their guidance in planning the assessment and Sphere India Inter Agency Coordination Team for the relentless hard work in coordinating at various levels without which the final outputs in desired time frame of 96 hours won’t have been possible. A special thanks to volunteers and nominees from various sector committees and local organisations who supported with data analysis and report writing.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement ...... 4 Executive Summary ...... 1 1. Background ...... 3 2. Response by Government & NGOs ...... 4 3. Objectives of INITIAL JRNA ...... 6 4. Methodology ...... 6 5. Steps Followed ...... 6 6. Findings from the Assessment ...... 7 6.1 Food, Nutrition and Livelihoods ...... 7 6.2 Health ...... 10 6.3 Shelter ...... 14 6.4 Protection ...... 19 6.5 Education ...... 25 6.6 Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) ...... 29 Annexures ...... Error! Bookmark not defined.
List of Charts and Tables Chart 1: Impact of Cyclonic Storm NIVAR ...... 3 Chart 2: Access to vegetables and food items in affected areas ...... 7 Chart 3: Market Accessibility ...... 8 Chart 4: Functioning Markets ...... 8 Chart 5: Urgent Food Needs ...... 8 Chart 6: Loss of Livelihoods ...... 9 Chart 7: highlighting the area wise need of medical supply ...... 11 Chart 8: Holistic Needs required from the cyclone affected regions ...... 11 Chart 9: Urgent Needs emerging in Chengalpattu...... 12 Chart 10: damages to nearest hospital facilities ...... 12 Chart 11: Emerging Health Issues in the affected areas ...... 13 Chart 12: Damages in Chengalpatu ...... 15 Chart 13: Damages in Chennai ...... 15 Chart 14: Damage in Cuddalore ...... 15 Chart 15: Damage in Nagapattinam ...... 15 Chart 16: Damage in Villupuram...... 16 Chart 17: Non Food items need in Chengalpatu ...... 16 Chart 18: Non Food items need in Chennai ...... 16 Chart 19: Non-food items need in Cuddalore ...... 17 Chart 20: Non-food items need in Kanchpuram...... 17 Chart 21: Non-food items need in Nagapattinam ...... 17 Page5| 46
Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Chart 22: Non-food items need in Viluppuram ...... 18 Chart 23: Non-structural needs in affected areas ...... 18 Chart 24 Damage or disruption of major protection related infrastructure and basic essential services reported ...... 20 Chart 25: Most affected population by NIVAR ...... 21 Chart 26: Key Concerns in Protection ...... 22 Chart 27: Protection issues faced in Villages ...... 23 Chart 28: Percentage of graph showing damage in school facilities and learning resources ...... 26 Chart 29: Water sources before crisis ...... 30 Chart 30: Water Sources after crisis...... 30 Chart 31: Wash Concerns in Chengalpattupatu ...... 31 Chart 32: Wash concerns in Chennai ...... 31 Chart 33: Wash Concerns in Cuddalore ...... 31 Chart 34: WASH concerns in Kanchipuram ...... 31 Chart 35: WASH concerns in Nagapattinam ...... 32 Chart 36: WASH concerns in Viluppuram ...... 32 Chart 37: Comparison of household before and after Crisis ...... 33 Chart 38: Emerging health issues in affected areas ...... 34 Chart 39: Sanitation as an urgent need in affected areas ...... 34
Table 1: Taluks Surveyed ...... 6 Table 2: District wise detail of schools damaged ...... 27
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Executive Summary A well-marked low-pressure area formed over the southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal during the third week of November. The Deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm “Nivar” and made landfall on the east coast of Tamilnadu near to Puducherry coast on early morning of 26th November.
The Nivar Cyclone affected the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Union Territory of Puducherry. Nearly 3400 relief camps were opened and people from the coastal districts were evacuated. The most affected regions include Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Viluppuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tiruvallur. 12 lives have been reportedly lost and assessments are in progress to assess the damage,
To understand the overall impact of the cyclone NIVAR upon the vulnerable communities Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment has been carried by collecting data from 5 districts (Chennai, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Chengalpattu and Nagapattinam). For data collection, quantitative data for the six sectors- Food, Nutrition and Livelihood, Health, Shelter, Protection, Education and WASH, was collected to understand various thematic/ sectoral issues, concerns, and emerging needs in the affected areas.
The analysis was done based on 296 household responses comprising of 30 from Chengalpattu, 105 from Chennai, 28 from Cuddalore, 5 from kanchipuram, 95 from Nagapattinam and 33 responses Villupuram covering 24 blocks, 82 colonies/villages and 37 villages. The key findings are analysed below:
Food and Nutrition Security: Availability of food and drinking water is major issue in most of the districts and people are forced to survive with limited means and few even reported that water was made available to the on alternative days. 75% of the informant’s responders informed about lack of availability of food with no means to purchase or even cook because of lack of utensils and other required sources.
Livelihood: Fisheries and agricultural industry along with other small scale works faced huge losses due to cyclone along with dysfunctional markets with limited or no access at all. Resident were observed to be engaged mainly in job roles of coolie, auto rickshaw driving, daily labourers, petty businesses etc that faced huge losses due to the disaster.
Health: Significant cases of diarrhoea and cold flu were notified to the surveyors along with few COVID cases during the survey. Disasters cause loss to few healthcare facilities like government hospitals, primary health care centres, Anganwadi/ ANM centres in Chengalpatu, Chennai, Kanchipuram and Nagapattinam districts.
Shelter: Almost every district covered reported few fully damaged shelter and relatively large amount of partially damaged shelters with adverse affect, loss of non structural and household items ranging from clothing’s, water storage tanks, beddings, utensils, stove and other hygiene items.
Protection: The evacuated people and other residents reported to face long power cuts creating a sense of insecurity especially in the mind of vulnerable part of the society. Little or no privacy for WASH and living facility is posing a great threat to protection. Both external and domestic violence has been reported by few respondents. Women are facing issues for their daily hygiene and sanitation requirements in few districts due to lack of adequate privacy.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Education:Various education infrastructures like government schools, middle and higher standard schools were reported to be damaged due to disasters and owing to COVID the verge of education status was already at downfall. Disaster not only caused damages to infrastructure but also study essential materials like books, stationary items and digital studying mediums creating further hindrance for education provision.
WASH: Relative difference in excreta disposal came out in the analysis, residents reported with damaged WASH infrastructure along with limited hand washing facility. People reported insufficient WASH facility, limited separate toilets and lack of privacy. Localities showed dependence on cane and normal water supply sources pre disaster but post disaster availability of water from normal sources [tap water] significantly dropped. There was a noticeable change in rate of open defecation reported during the survey in various affected regions.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
1. Background Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nivar tropical cyclone brought severe impacts to several districts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh with a landfall near karaikal Puducherry midnight 25th – 26th Nov 2020. Nivar originated from a disturbance in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, gradually organized and both the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Nov 23rd that a tropical depression has formed, upgrading it to tropical storm on Nov 24th and named it Nivar. Assessments are in progress. The broad impact as reported as on 29th Nov is summarised below.
Tamil Nadu: Several roads in the area of the Greater Chennai Corporation were closed due to water logging, Water was released from Chembarambakkam lake as a precautionary measure. Many areas including Madipakkam, Velachery, Adambakkam and suburbs around Tambaram and low lying regions along the river Adyar got flooded with water entering into estimated 40,000 homes. Rainwater entered houses in some places in the western suburbs. 2064 Uprooted trees were removed from 223 roads, about 108 power transformers and over 2927 electric poles were reported damaged in Greater Chennai Area. 4 people reportedly died in Tamil Nadu due to cyclone. The loss of 61 Cows, 5 bulls, 65 Calves and 114 goats was also reported in Tamil Nadu state.
Puducherry: Trees were uprooted, electric poles were damaged, and several areas were flooded. Initial loss in agriculture and other sectors is estimated at ₹ 400 Crore (US$54.2 million).
Andhra Pradesh: Eight people were reported dead in Andhra Pradesh. The rainfalls made significant impact on the districts of Chittoor, Prakasam, Kadapa and Nellore, 1,12,000 people were affected, 2,294 houses/huts were damaged, 6,133 homes were left stranded, 2,618 small animals, 88 large animals and 8,130 poultry birds were reported dead and 2.14 lakh hectares of agriculture crops were damaged based on a preliminary evaluation.
IMPACT OF CYCLONE NIVAR TAMIL NADU
18 40,000 2.3 L Evacuated and 4 Districts Homes flooded accommodated Human Lives affected in Greater in 2999 relief Lost Chennai Area camps
IMPACT OF CYCLONE NIVAR ANDHRA PRADESH
1597 40306 Evacuated and Villages/ Towns in 1.12L 8 accommodated Human Lives 124 Mandals People in 223 relief affected affected camps Lost
Chart 1: Impact of Cyclonic Storm NIVAR
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
2. Response by Government & NGOs Government Response Tamilnadu • Around 1,200 National Disaster Response Force personnel were deployed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh. 12 teams were deployed in TN and 7 in AP. • The Indian Navy and Coast Guard closely monitored the situation. INS Jyoti was deployed along with flood relief and diving teams • Government issued warning to fishing communities and relocated people from coastal areas. • The Union Home Minister and Prime Minister assured all support to the State Governments. • An alert was sounded at the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam. • Trains were cancelled by Southern Railways. • The Government alerted district administration to take precautionary measures. • Power supply was cut in vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure. • Water was released from Chembarambakkam lake as a precautionary measure to maintain balance between rain water in flow and lake water outflows. • NDRF carried out harbour protection works in Cuddalore-Mudunagar area. • Over 2.3lakh people were evacuated and accommodated in 2999 relief camps in Tamil Nadu, • 75 relief centers were opened and ready for occupation across Chennai City limits. • Cuddalore district administration moved 10,000 people to relief shelters from low lying areas and shifted 50,000 people over time. • In Chengalpet district 1,800 individuals, including 654 children, were shifted to 48 relief shelters. • 77 electric poles which were uprooted in Cuddalore district was cleared. • Medical tests of Health department carried out medical camps in relief centres. • Chennai Corporation cleared 223 roads of 2064 uprooted trees for ease of transport. • The CM Edappadi K Palaniswami visited worst affected areas in Cuddalore and Chennai • He announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of four persons who lost their lives in rain-related incidents. • He further announced that each of the families in relief camps was given 10 kg rice, a saree, a dhoti and one litre of kerosene, along with cooking oil and pulses. He added that they were already provided with basic amenities like food, drinking water, mats and blankets. • About 61 cows, five bulls, 65 calves and 114 goats died, Owners would be compensated as: cows and buffaloes (Rs 30,000), bulls (Rs 25,000), calves (Rs 16,000), goats (Rs 3,000). • As many as 302 huts and 38 tiled houses were damaged fully and partial damage caused to 1,439 huts and 161 tiled houses. The CM said owners of these houses and huts would also get appropriate compensation.
Puducherry
• Relief camps were opened at various points accommodating 2,000 people. More than 500 people living in the coastal areas of Puducherry were shifted to relief centres. • Territorial Government initiated steps to restore power supply without loss of time. • The supply of food and other essentials in camps were ensured by Government. • The Government banned large gathering and public movement. • Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy visited affected areas to assess damage. • The estimated loss to agriculture and other sectors due to cyclone Nivar has been tentatively put at ₹ 400 crore and a full assessment is being made. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said he had
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
written to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister seeking an interim relief of Rs 100 crore from the Centre. • Paddy crops over an extent of 820 hectares besides vegetables on 200 hectares, sugarcane on 170 hectares, 55 hectares of banana crop and betel leaf cultivated on seven hectares had been severely hit.
Andhra Pradesh
• The state Government deployed eight NDRF and six SDRF teams in the four districts for taking up rescue operations. • Two persons stranded in Mallimdugu reservoir near Renigunta in Chittoor district were rescued as were 60 stranded in a local canal at Tippapadu village of Gudur mandal in Nellore district. • The authorities have set up 223 relief camps and evacuated 40,306 persons and accommodated them in such camps while 265 medical camps were organised. • As a temporary relief, Rs. 2.50 crore was released to the four districts for talking up immediate relief works. • A special assistance of Rs 500 each was given to the affected persons in relief camps. • Eight lives, including six in Chittoor and two in Kadapa, while four persons went missing in the state. The Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of the eight persons. • Based on a preliminary assessment, rainfall had a major impact on Nellore, Prakasam, Chittoor and Kadapa districts, 1.12 lakh people were affected, 6,133 houses marooned, 2,294 houses/huts damaged, 88 big animals, 2,618 small animals, 8,130 poultry birds perished. • 1,597 villages/towns in 124 mandals were affected while six villages suffered inundation. • Agriculture crops in Nellore, Prakasam, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool, suffered damages in about 2.14 lakh hectares. The fisheries department estimated loss of Rs 51.15 lakh. • Infrastructure damage and loss to departments like roads and buildings, water resources, municipal administration, energy, panchayat raj, rural water supply, handlooms and textiles was estimated at Rs. 56,993.31 lakh.
NGO Response • Members of IAG Tamilnadu, NDSO Network, partners of Sphere India members and organisations such as Wings to hope, Yes Trust, HCLF etc. are closely monitoring and assessing the needs of the affected. • Sphere India Inter Agency Coordination has activated Unified Response and Initial Joint Rapid Need Assessment has been initiated. • NGOs will be updating their response activities in the URS Matrix which can be accessed through link below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ypvrgNXw4t1t7XApL_QClHsA_q4bS8WjB d58tVYwlrg/edit?usp=sharing
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
3. Objectives of INITIAL JRNA i. To understand the overall impact of the cyclone upon the vulnerable communities ii. To understand various thematic/ sectoral issues, concerns, and emerging needs in the assessed areas iii. To help channel the response strategy of the Humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders iv. To share relevant recommendations to overcome the impact in the respective sectors
4. Methodology The Joint Needs Assessment was carried out using mixed approaches including primary data collection, field based observations, and secondary sources to examine the observations and facts. The data was collected from 6 districts (Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram, and Nagapattinam), 24blocks, and 82 colonies/villages. The data collection was carried out using Kobo Collect application with the help of nearly 65 volunteers. A total of 296 household responses collected by the field assessment team (volunteers) have been analysed.
Table 1: Blocks Surveyed for JRNA
Sl. No Taluks surveyed Sl. No Taluks Surveyed 1 Kilevelur 13 Perambur 2 Ambattur 14 Perumbakkam 3 Amjikarai 15 Poongodi 4 Bhuvanagiri 16 Semmencherry 5 Choolaimeadu 17 Sholinganallur 6 Gingee 18 Sudha 7 Guindy 19 Tambaram 8 Kodambakkam 20 Temple govindhapuram,pattalam 9 Kollatur,kumaran nagar 21 Tirukazhukundram 10 Mambalam 22 Thirukkuvalai 11 Melmalaiyanur 23 Thiruporur 12 Nammalwarpet 24 Tondiarpet
5. Steps Followed Emergency Coordination Meetings: Two Emergency Coordination meetings with the IAC Committee were conducted on 25th and 27th of November 2020. The meetings were conducted virtually on Zoom platform. i. Revision of the Initial JRNA tools and conversion into KoBo collect application: Initial JRNA tool was contextualised to the local condition of Tamilnadu. The tool was then converted digitally to Kobo Collect application by 26th of November 2020. ii. Orientation of Volunteers: Two virtual orientations, first on 26th of November 2020 and next on 27th November 2020 were delivered to the 84 participants for the
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
familiarisation of questionnaire and the kobo collect tool. The data collection started on 27th of November 2020. iii. Local Organizations Meetings: Three meetings with the local organizations was facilitated by UNICEF. iv. Report writing: The sectoral committee of Sphere India with the Local organisations of Tamilnadu and Sphere India Coordinators encompassed the report writing team. Report writing team meeting was held on 27th November for finalizing the JRNA timeline.
6. Findings from the Assessment 6.1 Food, Nutrition and Livelihoods In urban areas, where the population density is much higher, the vulnerable groups often become less visible which leads to increased concern of food and nutrition accessibility and availability for the affected vulnerable population, directly and indirectly by the cyclones. Stocks and reserves are destroyed and the transportation channel takes hit as well. As per the Niti Ayog Report (SDG India Index & Dashboard, Niti Ayog and United Nations, 2019-20) on state wise performance on reducing hunger as a SDG target, providing access to adequate food and nutrition on non-disaster days is underachieved in Tamil Nadu with the SDG 2 index score of 48 out of 100. Nearly 23.5% children below 4 years are underweight, 27.3% of children between 6-59 months are anaemic, 19.7% children under 5 are stunted and approximately 44.4% of pregnant women between 15-49 years of age are suffering with anaemia. Disruption to food services in the present disaster scenario add to the challenges in the state. 6.1.1. Key findings for Food and Nutrition • Food availability in affected areas is a major concern as average food collection comes out to be 9 days while 69% of respondents out of 298 households do not have adequate quantities of grains stored. • According to the data gathered from Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment, food accessibility in affected areas is a major concern as nearly 66% of households do not have access to vegetables and other food items (Chart 2), this may lead to scarcity of food to meet the basic requirements especially in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.
Access to vegetables and food items in affected areas 0 0
34.12% No Yes
65.87%
Chart 2: Access to vegetables and food items in affected areas
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
• Furthermore, while studying the data it was noted a significant portion of the population have suffered loss to essential items for cooking. Around 38.43% of the surveyed households do not
Functionality of Markets Market Accessibility
20% 23.45%
76.55% 80%
Functioning markets Non functioning markets Yes No
Chart 4: Functioning Markets Chart 3: Market Accessibility
have adequate cooking utensils. • Access to the markets have been affected majorly while a lot of markets have suffered damage and are not properly able to function (Chart 3 & 4). • Food is not enough for a lot of households to meet the urgent food needs of affected districts. Purchasing power of households have taken a hit with little or no money to purchase food from outside.
URGENT FOOD NEEDS
No Yes
100%
93.10%
85.29%
82.14%
80%
60.60%
39.40%
20%
17.86%
14.71%
6.90% 0%
CHENGALPATU CHENNAI CUDDALORE KANCHIPURAM NAGAPATTINAM VILLUPURAM
Chart 5: Urgent Food Needs
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
6.1.2. Key findings for Livelihood • Nearly 30% of households reported damage to farm lands due to destruction of crops and arable land. In the pursuit, agricultural tools were lost or received damage, this increases the possibility of delay in the process of recovery for the agriculture community. • The entire state and location surrounding coastal areas can face shortage of fish food and items with losses to fisheries and it’s livelihood. Livestock and fisheries were severely affected for 23% of 298 respondents. • Communities also incurred significant losses to other assets due to the crisis as 26% of the households report damages (Chart 6), while markets for purchasing agricultural supplies and other tools are not in a functioning state as of now.
Loss of Livelihoods
Dysfunctional Markets 15% 85%
Loss of Assets 26% 74%
Fishing Tools 2% 98%
Agriculture Tools 11% 89%
Loss to Livestock & Fisheries 23% 77%
Agricultural losses 30% 70%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% Yes No
Chart 6: Loss of Livelihoods
6.1.3. Recommendations IMMEDIATE/SHORT TERM:
1) Set-up temporary food stations near the affected areas for supplying food items such as ready to eat meals, biscuits and fruits to the community. 2) Distribute food grains and other rations in Chengalpatu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Villupuram. 3) Special Nutrition supplement packets to be made available for each household having children, elderly, lactating and pregnant women, supply can be increased by providing access to supplements through Anganwadi centres. 4) Distribute non-food essential items to empower households with existing food supplies and reduce wastage of low shelf life products. 5) Distribute vegetables to the at risk community with low or no access to food supplies. Mobilize SHGs and community kitchen’s to prepare meals for vulnerable populations such as elderly and others unable to cook by themselves. 6) Provide unconditional cash support to the affected population suffering with loss of means of livelihood and struggling to buy essential items.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
7) Link local market vendors and supply chain distributors with the affected population and enable token/ticket credit systems, per household for availing essential food commodities without paying upfront cash. 8) Facilitate coordination between repair workers, mechanics and fishermen to expedite the process of repairing boats and motor engines, as an immediate livelihood intervention.
MEDIUM TERM:
9) Post emergency relief phase, SHGs and community kitchens to compliment livelihood activities by implementing token/ticket credit systems. Beneficiaries can purchase food items and discounted meals from such places. 10) Design relief package for farmers incurring losses to their farm lands and link the affected population with government schemes and provisions on livelihood. The state agriculture department has ongoing state sponsored schemes such as the all district initiative to provide subsidy where crop loss is 50% or above, distribution of biofertilizers at full cost, subsidy of 50% on the cost of seeds or Rs 1200 whichever is less, development of village clusters for subsidy on borewells, drip and fertigation system etc. 11) Provide compensation to losses against agriculture and fisheries and link farmers to banks and self-help groups for loans and borrowings 12) Increase access to markets and their functionality
6.2 Health The Cyclone Nivar has impacted access to holistic healthcare services post disaster as an essential service for the affected population segments during disasters and emergency situations especially several respondents stating facing water borne diseases as a result of the heavy flooding. The detrimental impact on damages has impacted the psychological and emotional well-being of households as well, especially with inhabitants losing their sources of livelihood. Shelter relief camps must be equipped with medical supplies and the situational analysis will reflect on the dual impact on the healthcare scenario with an impending issue of COVID-19 and emergency health aid to affected population segments during disasters and emergency situations.
Districts Surveyed:Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Kanchipuram, Nagapattinam, Villupuram 6.2.1. Findings and Analysis I. Access to Health Care Facilities and Medical Supplies: As highlighted by the respondents, 80% of the responses indicated medical health facilities during the recovery process as vital to security and protection during disasters. The responses carried out in the identified districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore indicate the immediate need for medical supplies during the cyclone as indicated in Chart 7. The survey also highlighted more pressing needs for immediate response to the cyclone in the affected regions surveyed (highlighted in Chart 8). The analysis indicates that in Chengalpattu as highlighted by Chart 9 one of the most emerging needs is medical supplies for the affected populations especially in relief camps, hospitals and shelter homes.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Medical Supply
VILLUPURAM
NAGAPATTINAM
KANCHIPURAM
CUDDALORE
CHENNAI
CHENGALPATTU
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Medical Supply
Chart 7: highlighting the area wise need of medical supply
Chart 8: Holistic Needs required from the cyclone affected regions
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Urgent Needs As Emerging In [Chengalpattu] 120% 100% 96% 96% 100% 93% 82% 86% 80% 72%
60% 48% 38% 40% 20% 6% 3% 0%
Chart 9: Urgent Needs emerging in Chengalpattu
II. Damage to Healthcare Facilities in the Affected Areas: As per chart 10, the residents of Nagapattinam has indicated damages to public health care centers as well as Chennai where thee nearest health structures had been damaged and that were mainly a government hospital and BRN Garden PHC (also highlighted in immediate response recommendations.
Nearest Damaged Facility 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 CHENGALPATTU CHENNAI KANCHIPURAM NAGAPATTINAM CUDDALORE VILLUPURAM
Yes No
Chart 10: damages to nearest hospital facilities
III. Water-Borne Diseases & Other Health Ailments: As a result of Cyclone: Post disaster analysis indicates a rapid change in excreta disposal practices with rise in use of open areas, indicated in samples collected 8% respondents of the household’s samples indicated being affected by diarrhoea and 61% by cold flu and 17% respondents as suggested in Chart 11.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Chart 11: Emerging Health Issues in the affected areas
IV. Impact of COVID-19: As per the respondents, many indicated anxiety towards the dual effects of an ongoing pandemic on the overall situation. The emergency shelter relief camps getting overcrowded suggest a health crisis to the overall rising numbers with reported numbers in the state, 17% of the respondents indicated that either they or one of their family members were affected by COVID-19, which could raise serious concerns, as highlighted by Chart 11.
IV. Psycho – Social Well Being and Adequate Support During Emergencies: As per the situational analysis, loss of livelihood facilities and damage to structural properties causes emotional trauma, anxiety feelings of depression and anxiety which has been reported by the respondents, not only due to the dual effects and anxiety of COVID but also destruction incurred as a result of the cyclone as reported by 53% of the people as highlighted in Chart 11. 6.2.2. Recommendations IMMEDIATE RESPONSE:
1) Provision of masks, gloves, sanitisers and sanitary napkins as essential items during disasters and pandemics, as is the case in Cyclone Nivar. 2) COVID 19 care centers and quarantine facilities must be made available to the community. Monitoring of COVID 19 must be strengthened in affected areas. 3) Awareness building and provision of medical supplies as a constant source by collaborative efforts of healthcare departments and NGOs/CSOs and local network groups on coping with the crisis. 4) Pregnant women must be treated with priority. Special care should be given to PwD, elderly and children in terms of accessibility to health services. 5) Mobile Van Health Facilities should be provided. 6) In Chengalpattu Govt healthy centre, four health centres facilities have been damaged which are Primary health centre, Sembakkam, Govt Healthy centre, Thirupporur and Govt hospital, Thirupporur. In Chennai, PHC Centre near BRN gardens has incurred damages. In Nagapattinam, the government hospital has been partially damaged these require immediate repair with the dual effect of the pandemic.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
MEDIUM TERM:
7) Mechanisms related to health sector identified, which have gaps especially non-functional or partially damaged health care centers. 8) Capacity Building and Behavior Change Communication practices for influencing good healthcare practices especially with COVID vaccine in its final stages of manufacturing.
LONG TERM:
9) Access to health care services like routine immunization and outpatient consultations must be ensured. 10) Removal of sludge and other waste must be done properly to reduce risk of long-term diseases. 11) The functionality of health centres must be maintained and reasons of non-functionality must be looked after as there are chances of outbreak of diseases immediately after floods which requires medical attention. Basic hygiene promotion can be done to reduce risk of communicable diseases
6.3 Shelter The cyclone in Tamil Nadu- Nivar has impacted houses, markets, and basic amenities in a plethora of ways. While in some regions livelihoods continue to function with compromise, many areas and its inhabitants are not expected to return to normalcy anytime soon. Damage to homes and markets range from repairable damages to complete dilapidation. The areas for refuge are not equipped to cater to the needs of the affected, and due to the added issue of Covid- 19, people return to the relief camps. Cyclones have affected us for immemorial, yet dealing with them becomes harder every time. We are in need of advanced and effective recovery measures from the disasters that affect our homes.
Building Resilience: Many of the working class colonies slums in Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu are located in hazardous places such as adjacent to or in close proximity to the water bodies or river banks. The town planning process has deliberately excluded the urban working classes in the town planning process resulting in the poor being forced to stay in the vulnerable places and are at high risk of being severely affected by the natural calamities like cyclones. 6.3.1. Major concerns • A significant number of houses, shelters have suffered various degree of damage leading to displacement of people and loss of properties, assets and even posing threat to human lives.
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120% 100% 21% 80% NO 60% 76% YES 40% 79% 20% 24% 0% FULLY DAMAGED PARTIALLY DAMAGED
Chart 12: Damages in Chengalpatu
120% 100% 80% 65% 60% 76% NO 40% YES 20% 24% 35% 0% FULLY DAMAGED PARTIALY DAMAGED
Chart 13: Damages in Chennai
120% 100% 25% 80% 60% 79% NO
40% 75% YES 20% 21% 0% FULLY DAMAGED PARTIALLY DAMAGED
Chart 14: Damage in Cuddalore
120% 100% 80% 33%
60% 81% NO 40% YES 67% 20% 19% 0% FULLY PARTIALLY
Chart 15: Damage in Nagapattinam
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100% 80% 64% 60% 86% NO 40% YES 20% 36% 14% 0% FULLY DAMAGED PARTIALLY DAMAGED
Chart 16: Damage in Villupuram
As shown in Chart 12-16, we can observe that in every district shelter damage has been reported whereas in kanchipuram [5 households interviewed] district no kind of damages were reported. The number of partially affected houses are relatively high than fully damaged houses in various districts.
• There is relative high need for clothing in all the districts and basic hygiene essential items like tooth brush, paste, soaps are highly demanded in Kanchipuram and Chengalpatu as compared to other districts (Chart 17-22).
NON FOOD ITEMS 120% 100% 100% 100% 96% 100% 93% 89% 86% 82% 80% 72% 62% 60%
40%
20% 3% 6% 0% CLOTHING BEDDING SANITARY SOAPS TOOTH TOOTH COMBS UTENSILS STOVE ASSISTIVE HYGIENE OTHERS PADS BRUSH PASTE DEVICES ITEMS
Chart 17: Non Food items need in Chengalpatu
NON FOOD ITEMS 80% 68% 65% 64% 62% 58% 55% 60% 50% 39% 42% 40% 40%
20% 18% 20%
0% CLOTHING BEDDING SANITARY SOAPS TOOTH TOOTH COMBS UTENSILS STOVE ASSISTIVE HYGIENE OTHERS PADS BRUSH PASTE DEVICES ITEMS
Chart 18: Non Food items need in Chennai
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NON FOOD ITEMS 120% 100% 100% 89% 86% 86% 86% 78% 80% 68% 71% 60% 43% 40%
20% 7% 0% 0% 0% CLOTHING BEDDING SANITARY SOAPS TOOTH TOOTH COMBS UTENSILS STOVE ASSISTIVE HYGIENE OTHERS PADS BRUSH PASTE DEVICES ITEMS
Chart 19: Non-food items need in Cuddalore
NON FOOD ITEMS 120% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 80% 60% 60% 40% 20% 20% 20% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% CLOTHING BEDDING SANITARY SOAPS TOOTH TOOTH COMBS UTENSILS STOVE ASSISTIVE HYGIENE OTHERS PADS BRUSH PASTE DEVICES ITEMS
Chart 20: Non-food items need in Kanchpuram
NON FOOD ITEMS 100% 91% 92% 77% 78% 80% 72% 75% 75% 74% 64% 64% 60%
40%
20% 15% 0% 0% CLOTHING BEDDING SANITARY SOAPS TOOTH TOOTH COMBS UTENSILS STOVE ASSISTIVE HYGIENE OTHERS PADS BRUSH PASTE DEVICES ITEMS
Chart 21: Non-food items need in Nagapattinam
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NON FOOD ITEMS 120% 100% 100% 88%
80% 63% 60% 45% 40% 24% 18% 20% 12% 15% 9% 6% 0% 0% 0% CLOTHING BEDDING SANITARY SOAPS TOOTH TOOTH COMBS UTENSILS STOVE ASSISTIVE HYGIENE OTHERS PADS BRUSH PASTE DEVICES ITEMS
Chart 22: Non-food items need in Viluppuram
• Beside the structural needs current situation has posed a demand of various non structural items that are an essential part of a house, based on the survey following needs was observed. • Relatively more households in village are reported to be both fully and partially damaged. Non structural needs through village responses of 37 were determined to be as shown in Chart 23.
Non structural needs 100% 86% 83% 90% 81% 78% 78% 73% 75% 80% 67% 62% 70% 57% 59% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 2% 0%
Chart 23: Non-structural needs in affected areas
• Relative high demand for hygiene and basic non-structural needs can be observed with 86% people demanding for cooking utensils and equipments. Tarpaulin was demanded by approximately 75% respondents in village areas. 6.3.2. Recommendations IMMEDIATE/ SHORT TERM
1) Building materials, technical and financial assistance can be provided in most affected districts like Chengalpattu and Nagapatinam.
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2) Provision of finances and capacity building to those who have lost their houses- fully or severely damaged. Awareness programs for mid to long term support to rebuild resilient houses. (Shelter support should include options from provision of material and technical support to labour and cash.) 3) Leverage the resources - such as academia, students, and trainees (from relevant fields/sector), under expert supervision for repair work and rehabilitation process for the mildly- partially affected structures – Priority areas for 2BHK houses. 4) Need for cheap, safe rental housing, financed by the government to cater to the needs of the migrant labour. 5) Immediate supply of non structural items is required for insulation, hygiene maintenance and nutrition care for both villages and urban areas.
MEDIUM TERM
6) As far as possible, the housing scheme of the TN Government should be “IN-SITU” redevelopment of the slums so as to protect the livelihoods of the urban poor and keep them safe from cyclones and any other natural calamities. 7) Demarcate 20% of the urban land planned for residential purposes for housing of the working classes to ensure they have a right to the city and its resources. 8) Resilient design trainings for shelters can be done by CSOs and NGOs along with training of locals.
6.4 Protection As Tamil Nadu faced the unforeseen cyclone Nivar during the COVID 19 situation, the vulnerability of the urban areas was exposed, especially of the marginalized and the most vulnerable. Evidence highlights that disaster situations increases protection concerns related to gender based violence, specially related to sexual assault, trafficking, and domestic violence; breakdown of law and order situation, access to basic services like food, water, sanitation, family separation; child trafficking; unequal access to assistance; discrimination in aid provision; forced return or relocation; loss of personal documentation; conflict and tension between two communities
Based on a rapid survey conducted among 93 households (families) in the affected districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu,Nagapattinam below mentioned are some of the key findings with regards to emerging protection issues: 6.4.1. Findings and analysis Damage or disruption of infrastructure and basic essential services:
a) 72.4% of the respondents shared that are experiencing severe electricity problems/cuts due to the cyclone. 27% of the villages reported loss of electricity in their villages. b) 27% of the total respondent’s are facing protection issues related to shelter damage, while 16.4% of the respondent’s shelters were fully damaged, 58.1 % of the respondents reported partial damage. The impact of the cyclone was most severe in in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Nagapattinam districts, whereas Cuddalore remains mostly unaffected. c) The families who have lost their houses due to the cyclone are currently staying in relief camps, road embankments and relative’s residence mostly. d) The families staying in the relief camps have reported that they do not have access to safe and private facilities for women and girls in form of bathing space, living space and latrines
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e) 44% of the respondents reported that the displaced people are staying in relief camps, road embankments and other places which further increases exacerbates their vulnerabilities with regards to protection issues. f) Furthermore, as of 29th November, 2020, Tamil Nadu reported 1,430 fresh cases of COVID- 19 on Saturday, taking its overall tally to 7,79,046. Seven districts, including Chennai, account for a little over 60% of the new cases. Among these, Chennai reported 393 positive cases, bringing the city’s total to 2,14,577 (source: The Hindu, 29th Nov, 2020). The rising number of fresh cases is further increasing the vulnerability of the affected population with regards to accessibility and availability of sexual and reproductive health services health services in the affected population.
As shown in Chart 24, during the cyclones 72.4% of the respondents faced electricity problems which is an important essential service, lack of which aggravates other physical protection & security issues. Disruption or inaccessibility of public transportation, auto, taxi, etc. and communication services also adds on the physical protection issues of the most vulnerable at times of a disaster. Full or partial damage to houses also resulted in affected families to take refuge in public or private buildings, relatives place or any other place where they could find one. This has further posed threat to the safety of women, children, and adolescent girls, persons with disability in an external unknown and unsafe environment.
Chart 24 Damage or disruption of major protection related infrastructure and basic essential services reported
Perception of communities on vulnerable groups most affected by the cyclone:
a) Women (23.4%): 23.4% of the most affected population are women especially from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Nagapattinam. They become vulnerable to violence and tedious work after a disaster. b) Ethnic caste groups (22.5%): 22.5% of the affected population comprises of the ethnic caste groups who were severely affected during the cyclone c) Economically backward (21.4%): 21.4% of the affected population comprises of the economically poor section as some of them have lost their shelter, savings and livelihood.
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The figures with respect to lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) population is perhaps is not being reported.
Most affected population
6% Children 13% 23% Women 5% Disabled people Economically Poor Ethnic caste groups 21% 23% Elderly people Migrant poor labours 9%
Chart 25: Most affected population by NIVAR
6.4.2. Major protection issues reported (post disaster) Some of the major protection issues as observed are: a) Unavailability of electricity: Almost 72% of the affected population have lost access to electricity b) Security issues: As most of the population have lost their shelter and means of livelihood, they are vulnerable in terms of security c) Menstrual hygiene and accessibility to private and safe sanitation facilities: remains a major concern for the women. d) Displacement of people to relief camps, road embankments, relative’s place and others: Major number of households reported relocation in relief camps, road embankments and other places, which has to be taken care of immediately by providing shelter to the homeless, especially the women as they are more exposed to violence post disaster. And standard Food & nutrition and sanitation facilities must be provided to the people displaced in relief camps
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KEY CONCERNS PROTECTION 2 1 SECURITY ISSUES 3 VIOLENCE 21 44 SECURITY MECHANISMS 9 SEPARATED 3 POWER / ELECTRICITY 18 LIMITED PRIVACY 12 RELATIVES 14 8 DISPLACED PARTNER VIOLENCE 15 MENSTRUAL HEALTH DISABLES 72 TRANSGENDERS SC/ST
Chart 26: Key Concerns in Protection
Protection issues faced in the Villages post disaster
The following data has been recorded from the response of village residents (Chart 27):
Male and female:
Domestic Violence: Almost 40.5% of the respondents complained of domestic violence increasing post disaster. Disaster situations increased protection concerns related to gender-based violence. Text page
Vulnerable population at risk: 48.6 % of the respondents said that post disaster the vulnerable population comprising of children, elderly, single-headed household, single women and people with disabilities were more at-risk.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Protection Issues faced in the Villages 60.0 48.6 50.0 40.5 40.0
30.0
20.0 10.8 8.1 8.1 10.0 5.4 5.4 5.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Chart 27: Protection issues faced in Villages
6.4.3. Recommendations IMMEDIATE:
1) Collecting and analysing the Sex, Age and Disability (SADD) disaggregated data especially at the camp setting and from the ward onwards. 2) Women, girls and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) should have access to information related to support services for redressal of GBV, exploitation, abuse and harassment. 3) Identification and consultation with the people with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual or allied communities (LGBTQIA), elder people and children who are in need of care and protection and further psycho-social care. 4) All the health service providers should be provided appropriate protection gear such as mask along with sanitizers, medical facilities etc by the district head in liaison with the government. 5) Shelter home’s camp management people should ensure that there is no overcrowding, and social distancing is maintained. Sanitation facilities should be provided Liaison with the government 6) Access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, menstrual health and hygiene products should be ensured in a camp situation or in areas where people are living in makeshift shelters 7) People who have lost legal documents should be identified and should be supported in getting the new ones 8) Liaison with the government and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) partners for safety of staff and other community-based health workers to ensure infection control and staff protection.
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9) Liaison with other clusters and government departments for reinstating electricity and safe drinking water facilities. Also to coordinate with the shelter committee for safe toilet facilities for women, girls and other vulnerable communities.
RECOVERY:
10) Advocate with the local authorities for refresher training of staff at the, Women Help Desk, Helplines on the protection issues in a disaster context during COVID 19. 11) Psychosocial and trauma counselling support to be extended at the community level through trained volunteers. 12) Scale up and partner with the CSOs, government departments to strengthen the capacities of the communities (women, PwDs) on Sexual and gender-based violence and referral and linkage mechanisms during and before crisis situations including COVID 19 pandemic 13) Dissemination of information through innovative gender sensitive mediums on mechanisms for reducing the protection risk. 14) Strengthening a community-based safety and security mechanism through engaging the existing structures like Ward Committees, etc. (if any) 15) Services for women, girls and children facing protection risks like short stay homes, legal aid, and medical help should be considered as essential services during and in the post disaster situation. 16) Implement the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) in the humanitarian context focusing on prevention and management of gender and sexual violence. 17) Key stakeholders to be trained on MISP to respond to the reproductive and health needs at the onset of a disaster. 18) Identification of the people with the special needs should be linked with government schemes on social protection and livelihood interventions.
LONG TERM:
19) Integrate prevention of sexual and gender-based violence against women and children into the disaster management plan and allocate adequate resources for “Enough to Violence against Women and Girls” (EVAWG). 20) Support community mechanism to report incidences of sexual and gender-based violence and support women. 21) The local ward level bodies should be strengthened to respond to the protection risk in a multiple hazard situation. 22) Support creation and/ or sustainability of women’s groups and volunteer networks that provide remote support to survivors 23) Training of women and girls in construction of temporary toilets. 24) Prepositioning of temporary toilet fitting at the panchayats which are highly prone to disasters. 25) Assessing/ mapping the departmental gaps in responding to the protection needs of women, children and PwDs in the context of multiple hazards during COVID-19. 26) Strengthening or building the capacities of the local government functionaries to identify, map and address the protection needs. 27) A guideline needs to be developed for children in need of care and protection especially in during evacuation and in the aftermath of disaster and or a pandemic. 28) Review the existing government schemes specially related to women, children and girls and adapt it in line with COVID 19 situation reducing the protection risk.
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29) Establishing a digital platform for aggregation of the problems faced by specific groups and connecting it with relevant schemes
6.5 Education Cyclone Nivar, the fourth cyclone to take shape in the North Indian Ocean this year, has had a detrimental impact on education in several districts with incessant rains and strong winds and waterlogging, uprooting trees. It caused complete disruption of power lines and connectivity issues and eventually led to damage to several school infrastructures and disputation of children's education continuity at home or institutions. The added burden of the rising number of the COVID 19 cases in the city and the water logging in most areas disrupted school routines and inaccessibility to the learning cycle, loss in education days, and damage to school infrastructure and education material at home.
An added factor is that many schools also served as quarantine facility centres as well as transitional shelters. This is one of the critical factors that too impact the timely resumption of academic schedules and also the safety of school-going children during the aftereffects of a disaster and the pandemic with their dual after effects. This is a multi-hazard and multi-risk situation for the children and their teachers. The above indicators are essential aspects to be addressed to establish safe and protective learning spaces and the environment in the post-disaster situation. The impact of this multi-disaster situation, increasing trauma and stress among children, and psychosocial support is critical. 6.5.1. Key Damages and Losses to the education Infrastructure The key Damages and Losses to the education Infrastructure are as follows:
Loss of Learning Resources: As the over empowering rains and strong storm surge disrupted power and communication lines the most, there is an urgent need for temporary learning facilities considering the situation amid pandemic, since students are mostly dependent on online education.
School Building serving as Transitional Shelter: As government schools are the first spots to get converted to transition centres and relief facilities, most schools would still require some time to reopen till people are shifted to new accommodations and the school buildings are free to conduct regular classes again.
Unsafe Water and Sanitation: With the damage to drinking water and sanitation facilities in many schools, schools remain an unsafe spot in terms of drinking water and sanitation practises and thus students are exposed to several health issues by attending schools.
Lack of Nutrition: As many schools are now not able to provide mid-day meals in the combined disasters situations of COVID-19 and cyclone, students are facing nutrition issues in the absence of proper meals.
Safety against Crime: With the reduced surveillance in schools as well as on the way to school, crime and abuse rates seem to increase against children post disasters which becomes a demotivating factor for parents to send their children to school. 6.5.2. Findings and Analysis The situational analysis from the household surveys, focused group discussions and key informant interviews undertaken was for almost 296 respondents. The main constraints for resumption of school education are as follows: Page25| 46
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What are the main concerns regarding Education?
Chart 28: Percentage of graph showing damage in school facilities and learning resources
a) Infrastructure Damage
The damage to school infrastructure caused by incessant rains and strong winds was reported. An overall 42% of damage was reported, in terms of school building/infrastructure. It is necessary to adapt safe building codes to reconstruct damaged school buildings and sanitation facilities. Repair, retrofitting and re-construction of safe and resilient school buildings in the post cyclone situation will be the most important component for safe reopening of schools. Setting up a safe temporary learning centre (TLC) at the community level will be helpful to the children and teachers until school re-open.
b) Loss of study material and school materials
There was a huge loss reported in damage to study material for students, as well as to school materials. The estimate of damage to loss of study material exceeded to 20% which is equivalent to loss in school material. And apart from that, a major loss was even seen in other necessary educational items, which went up to 28%. The children from affected families who lost their education materials need support with an “education kit” as well as teaching and learning. The schools reported severely damaged may need support of TLM (teaching learning materials) to resume classroom teaching. In addition, cleaning and disinfection drive is essential at this moment. Trained community volunteers will be helpful to the children to support their education continuity at the community level.
c) Damage to technical devices such as mobile /laptop
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School education in the time of COVID is heavily dependent on mobile phones and laptops. 44% of the population reported damage to mobile phones and laptops. On its way the cyclone uprooted several trees, disrupted power lines, leading to connectivity and short-circuiting issues. Immediate steps should be taken from the government to make it functional.
Table 2: District wise detail of schools damaged
DISTRICT NAME CHENGALPATU P U middle school. Panchayath union primary school The top roof of Govt Hr sec,school, Thirupporur is damaged CHENNAI Gov school , around flooding In Surya Nagar, Anganvaadi wall fully damage CUDDALORE No KANCHIPURAM No NAGAPATTINAM Government Hr School Government school In Government high school, the water tank is damaged. P.U.P. School- Class Rooms damaged Government middle school building damaged VILLUPURAM no
The main constraints for resumption of school education are as follows: a) No Teachers
The non-availability of teaching staff to support students in their learning was reported as an overall factor causing disruption in the education of the students. The JNA indicates that, there is an immediate need of support to ensure children learning continuity at home and at the institution level. In addition, cleaning and disinfection drive is essential at this moment. Trained community volunteers will be helpful to the children to support their education continuity at the community level.
b) Infrastructure Damage - Unsafe school buildings that needs repair, retrofitting and re- construction
Due to the over empowering rains and strong storm villages reported damage to school infrastructure. It is necessary to adapt safe building codes to reconstruct damaged school buildings and sanitation facilities. Repair, retrofitting and re-construction of safe and resilient school buildings in the post cyclone situation will be the most important component for safe reopening of schools. The JNA indicates that setting up a safe temporary learning centre (TLC) at the community level will be helpful to the children and teachers until school re-open.
c) Loss of education Material and certificates
Villages are facing the loss or damage of study materials, hence students from those villages are experiencing severe problems in terms of continuing to study until relief kits are provided. The children from affected families who lost their education materials need support with an “education
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020 kit” as well as teaching and learning. The schools reported severely damaged may need support of TLM (teaching learning materials) to resume classroom teaching.
d) Schools converted to Shelter
During disasters, schools and government facilities are turned as transitional shelters as a mechanism for shelter and security in the midst of emergency situations. In this multi-disaster situation, this is to advocate that school should not be used as any quarantine, transitional, or shelter facilitates in future. A cleaning and disinfection drive in such schools is mandatory at this moment.
e) No Midday meal
The lack of nutritional values in children attending schools, can have dire impacts and consequences, especially when there is an impending humanitarian emergency at hand. The provision of meals at government schools through the Mid-Day Meal programme has suffered a set-back with no alternative nutritional needs being met which could result in severe challenges. An overall report from villages have stated that they have faced shortage or no Midday meal and the school authorities and governing bodies have not provided alternative mechanisms for nutritional fulfilment of the students. To ensure nutritional support, continuation of mid-day meal or take- home ration will be critical at this moment. In addition, providing food baskets to the vulnerable and marginalized females is in higher need.
f) No Electricity
School education in the time of Covid-19 is heavily dependent on technology and electricity. On its way the cyclone uprooted several trees, disrupted power lines, leading to connectivity and short- circuiting issues, due to which, the villages reported loss of electricity in their villages. Immediate steps should be taken from the government to repair and restore the power supply to make it functional.
g) Closed due to covid-19
A lot of government infrastructure is currently being used as a COVID-19 facility as well. And adding on to it this multi-disaster situation has severely affected functionality of the schools and has resulted in shutting of schools in many villages. The schools that suffered water logging and damage or breakage of infrastructure are also severely prone to spread several water-borne diseases and thus it is also a very important factor that these schools get disinfected before they start functioning. As a result, disinfection remains a supreme priority in these areas. The safe temporary learning centre (TLC) at the community level can play a critical role to reduce the gaps in post disaster situations.
6.5.3. Other Observation The pandemic in itself has posed an inadvertent challenge to the governing functions of schools causing disruptions in teaching, these factors interplayed with emergency situations can cause crucial impact in the learning systems of students, their overall environment and psycho-social tendencies which requires significant factoring in. 16 respondents out of 290 also feels that there is an urgent need of building back the schools in its actual shape. Online learning and teaching methods have their own challenges and can siphon out access to the vulnerable and marginalized families who may not have access to smartphones or the internet. Building the capacity of teachers, ICDS workers and community volunteers on psycho-social support will be important.
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6.5.4. Recommendations IMMEDIATE/ SHORT TERM:
1) Immediate creation and distribution of education kits for the continuation of education 2) Establishment of temporary educational centres/online classes wherein children can continue receiving education 3) Prompt disinfection of school buildings, cleaning up of debris and necessary equipments in the covid-19 context is also required.
MEDIUM TERM:
4) Implementation and practice of the comprehensive school safety policy 5) Adequate steps undertaken by the School Board in collaboration with the Government to come up with a strategic plan to tackle the dual challenge of COVID and the Cyclone in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. 6) Establishment of Child Centred Disaster Risk Reduction strategy in the context of school education
6.6 Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) The task of providing safe drinking water and sanitation facilities for the rural areas in the State is the responsibility of the Department of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj and Tamil Nadu Water Supply & Drainage Board (TWAD). The State comprises 15 municipal corporations, 121 municipalities and 528 town panchayats.
Owing to the cyclone response, certain media sources reported that approximately 500 sanitary workers were deployed all around the state to take care of the functionality of the system through drain clearance, road clearance etc. 6.6.1. Major concerns at present • During our discussion with the survey respondents, it was observed that significant households, residents of the cyclone affected areas are facing shortage of drinkable water, lack of toilets, lack of washing and bathing stations and lack of storage facility for further use. • A concern was observed for non availability of separate toilets for women and disables along with issues of limited privacy. • When asked about drinking water sources in households, respondents mentioned both for pre and post disaster conditions. Residents faced damage in water storage facilities leading to reduction in drinking water supply.
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BEFORE CRISIS WATER SOURCES
17% 3%
NORMAL SOURCES/TAP WATER 18% 62%
CANE STORAGE CORPORATION TANKS NORMAL SOURCES
Chart 29: Water sources before crisis
AFTER CRISIS WATER SOURCES
BOREWELL TAP/ TANK 17% WATER 32% CANE 24% CORPORATION 27%
BOREWELL CANE CORPORATION TAP/ TANK WATER
Chart 30: Water Sources after crisis
There is relevant change in source of water supply through taps i.e. from 62% to 32% post disaster along with complaints of foul smell at some of the places.
• Survey was conducted in various districts of Tamil Nadu with focus to ascertain major WASH concerns being faced by residents. Along with district names the number of household survey conducted in respective district is mentioned in the brackets for better understanding of the viewers (Chart 31-36).
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WASH CONCERNS IN CHENGALPATTUPATU (26) 76% 80% 69%
60% 54% 54% 54% 38% 38% 40%
20% 0 0% DRINKING WASH Infra TOILETS SEPARATE PRIVACY HAND LACK OF OTHERS WATER DAMAGE TOILETS WASHING CONTAINERS
Chart 31: Wash Concerns in Chengalpattu
WASH CONCERNS IN CHENNAI (104) 53% 60% 49% 50% 36% 40% 28% 28% 30% 30% 23% 20% 7% 10% 0% DRINKING WASH Infra TOILETS SEPARATE PRIVACY HAND LACK OF OTHERS WATER DAMAGE TOILETS WASHING CONTAINERS
Chart 32: Wash concerns in Chennai
WASH CONCERNS IN CUDDALORE [26] 120% 96% 100% 80% 60% 40% 23% 20% 4% 0% 4% 4% 0% 0% 0% DRINKING WASH Infra TOILETS SEPARATE PRIVACY HAND LACK OF OTHERS WATER DAMAGE TOILETS WASHING CONTAINERS
Chart 33: Wash Concerns in Cuddalore
WASH CONCERNS IN KANCHIPURAM [5] 100% 90% 80% 60% 40% 20% 20% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% DRINKING WASH Infra TOILETS SEPARATE PRIVACY HAND LACK OF OTHERS WATER DAMAGE TOILETS WASHING CONTAINERS
Chart 34: WASH concerns in Kanchipuram
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WASH CONCERNS IN NAGAPATTINAM [95] 120% 96% 100% 80% 57% 60% 39% 40% 29% 19% 14% 7% 20% 0% 0% DRINKING WASH Infra TOILETS SEPARATE PRIVACY HAND LACK OF OTHERS WATER DAMAGE TOILETS WASHING CONTAINERS
Chart 35: WASH concerns in Nagapattinam
WASH CONCERNS IN VILUPPURAM [33] 50% 39% 40% 33% 27% 30% 24% 24% 20% 10% 3% 0% 0% 0% DRINKING WASH Infra TOILETS SEPARATE PRIVACY HAND LACK OF OTHERS WATER DAMAGE TOILETS WASHING CONTAINERS
Chart 36: WASH concerns in Viluppuram
The analysis shows relative difference in the needs of various districts residents. Drinking water supply is one of the major concerns in Chengalpattu, Chennai, Nagapattinam and Viluppuram depicting more adverse affect than the Kanchipuram and Cuddalore according to analysis.
6.6.2. Recommendations 1) Adequate availability of safe drinking water should be done and that too in sufficient quantity looking at future need as well. 2) Immediate water quality testing at major water supply sources needs to be conducted across the city with focus on flooded areas. Advisories must be issued to residents in water quality affected areas and municipality with support from civil society should provide safe and clean drinking water to those whose water quality is below acceptable limits. 3) Hand washing stations with adequate amount of soap, cleaning materials and awareness sessions can be provided as these are emergency need especially in view of COVID 19. 4) SBCC can be monitored by the related agencies. 5) Surveillance and mapping of water sources should be made a priority. 6) Based on testing the disinfection protocols must be enforced for municipality, community and household level drinking water to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases either through chlorination, purification tablets, hardness removal or any other preferred methodology at various setting like camp, households, shelters etc. 7) Repairing and rehabilitating any and all WASH related infrastructure should be made an immediate priority.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
8) Water for drinking and domestic purposes must be made available at subsidised prices through local vendors in the community to ensure that every household gets the access to clean water. 9) Adequate capacity of shelters with significant privacy and separate toilets for women, disables need to be provided at a priority. 10) Availability of ORS and Zinc tablets to treat or as preventive prophylaxis for diarrhoea can be done by agencies along with provision of storage buckets, drums to the affected population for self sufficiency. 11) Training community leaders on best water storage and disinfection practices and on early warning for waterborne diseases is important. 6.6.3. Sanitation and hygiene A relevant change in defecation is observed both in households. An increase of number people going for open defecation was observed.
BEFORE CRISIS EXCRETA DISPOSAL
8%
Household toilets Open 51% 42% defecation Public toilets
Chart 37: Comparison of household before and after Crisis
AFTER CRISIS EXCRETA DISPOSAL
Household toilets 14% 28% Mobile toilets in the camp Open defecation
3% 55% Public toilets
.
A relevant increase in open defecation from 42% to 55% post disaster can be observed. Water related diseases were also observed to be merging out in the affected regions.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
HEALTH ISSUES 70% 61% 60% 53% 50%
40%
30%
20% 17% 13% 11% 8% 10% 2% 0% DIARRHOEA RESPIRATORY SKIN PROBLEM COLD FLU COVID 19 MENTAL OTHERS PROBLEM TRAUMA
Chart 38: Emerging health issues in affected areas
• Cold flu cases are significantly reported during the survey along with other emerging water related diseases are observed to be at rise. • Sanitation as an urgent need was reported from various districts. Total number of responses from each district are mentioned along their names (Chart 39).
SANITATION AS AN URGENT NEED
90 81 80 70 60 50 40 36 28 30 20 10 0 0 1 0
Chart 39: Sanitation as an urgent need in affected areas
• 81 household out of 95 in Nagapattinam responded for urgent sanitation support depicting it to be adversely affected during the floods. 6.6.4. Recommendations
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
1) RCCE (Risk Communication and Communication engagement) on COVID-19 and cold flue can be conducted. 2) Owing to risk of COVID spread temperature surveillance of people in camp or household setting in affected areas for timely follow-up and referral in case of any ILI or SARI like illness can be monitored by the organisations. 3) Looking at excreta disposal practices post disaster availability of portal toilets can be explored to prevent open defecation and to provide privacy and dignity to adolescent girls and women. 4) City Municipal body needs to clean community drains and dispose sludge and waste water especially in the low lying areas of which some of the most adversely effected are mentioned in this report. 5) Hygiene kits with basic medicines for common cold, fever, headache, stomach ache along with water disinfectant materials can be distributed to all affected districts, camps, shelters etc after proper training and demarcation. Agencies can also ensure availability of menstrual hygiene kit in adequate numbers for camps or AWCs at the community level. 6) For households whose toilets are blocked due to the floods, alternative options must be provided by the local authorities and/ or community leaders and simultaneously cleaning and removal of blockages need to be removed. 7) Over flowing septic tanks in households should be emptied immediately and safely disposed per the protocols. 8) Safe, adequate and reliable sewage disposal systems need to be designed for communities with no centralized wastewater treatment. 9) Rainwater harvesting and storm water runoff control measures need to be revised/ implemented as necessary. 10) Regular fogging, vaccination, disinfection of the area, households and medical camps need to be established for hygiene maintenance and to spread prevention of any kind of diseases. Along with this special arrangement for psycho social support needs to be done as few cases of mental trauma were observed during survey.
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
Annexure INITIAL JRNA ASSESMENT TEAM
Sector Lead Author Organization Sphere India Coordinator
Mr. Imran ADRA Mr Vaibhav
WASH Mr. Kaushik Ganguly UNICEF
Mr. K. Ambalavanan UNICEF
Food & Nutrition Mr. Freddie EFICOR Mr Dhananjay
Mr Binoy UNNATI Ms Rubal Shelter Mr Vaibhav Mr Mintu Save the Children Mr Cyljo Education Mr Nagesh Save the Children
Protection Ms. Nimisha IPPF South Asia Ms Shreekanya
Ms. Sophia Regis Princpal Nursing Ms Hepzibah Health Hospital, Chennai
Overall Report Ms. Annie George Bedrock Mr Midhun Data Analysis
Mr Vaibhav Mr. Ebin Paul
Planning, Editing and Design
Mr. Vikrant Mahajan Dr. Eilia Jafar Ms. Nupur Tyagi
Coordination
Dr. Henna Ms. Divya Ms. Shivani Ms. Sridevi
Volunteer Support ADRA IGSSS Adyar Cancer Institute. NDSO Child Fund India Priyam Trust Don Bosco Anbu Illam (DBAI) Wings of Hope EFICOR World Vision India Habitat for Humanity India Yes Trust HCL foundation
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
List of Volunteers
S. No. Name Organisation 1 M Suganthi ADRA India 2 Jenisis M Shiya ADRA India 3 Austin.J ADRA India 4 M Suganthi ADRA India 5 Austin.J ADRA India 6 Austin.J ADRA India 7 S. IYAPPAN College student MSW 8 Dinesh D Crest 9 V S Gugan DBAI 10 Tamil Azhgan Dbai 11 Mercy s DBAI HCL 12 Suganya Karunanidhi DON BOSCO ANBU ILLAM 13 Yengamma K DON BOSCO ANBU ILLAM 14 Lawrence K Don Bosco Anbu Illam 15 Ashok Kumar Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Chennai 16 Alis Kency Malar I Donbosco anbu illam 17 Jayalakshmi V Donbosco Anbuillam 18 Fredy M Roy EFICOR 19 Sabari balaji HCL TECH 20 Malarvili Prabath HOPE foundation 21 Munusamy Igsss 22 Vijay.R Indian Youth battalion& NDSO 23 Armstrong A Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) 24 Raffi Namma villupuram 25 AGGONI RAMAPULLAIAH NANDYAL ADP 26 PADUNKUMAR NDSO 27 Chandrasekhar g NDSO 28 Praveen Kumar NDSO 29 Prema NDSO 30 Priya NDSO 31 Mohammad Meeran NDSO 32 Ranjith NDSO 33 Mohan NDSO 34 Prabhu NDSO 35 Udhaya kumar NDSO 36 R. Nithya sri Police boys club 37 Duraisamy Priyam 38 PRABU PRIYAM TRUST 39 Ecr ravi Priyam trust 40 A. Bharathi Priyam trust
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
41 AKILAN A PRIYAM TRUST 42 S. Aravinthan Priyam trust 43 S.Arun Priyam Trust 44 T.Giridharan Priyam trust 45 B.sivaguru Priyam trust 46 M.Aravinthkumar Priyam trust 47 T.kapilan Priyam trust 48 S. Aravinthan Priyam trust 49 Tharshan Priyam trust 50 S. Aravinthan Priyam trust 51 S.SHAIKDAEOOD Priyam trust 52 R.akash Priyam trust 53 Vedhavinayakam Priyam trust Vedaranyam 54 Keerthivasan priyamtr 55 Baburaj. R Priyamtrust 56 Nanthakumar Priyamtrust 57 T.giridharan Priyamtrust 58 Keerthivasan Priyamtrust 59 S.SHAIKDAWOOD Priyan trust 60 T. Saravanavel Priymtrust 61 K.jaisriram Road 62 Jayaraj Rural Organisation for Action and Development 63 SIVAPRAKASH.A Rural Organization for Action and Development(ROAD) 64 s.srinuvasulu S srinuvasulu 65 Anil Singh Sphere India 66 MENAKADEVI M V1- POLICE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB 67 MENAKADEVI.M V1-POLICE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB at villivakkam 68 VIGNESH K We yes trust 69 Prajithlouiz We yes trust 70 Deepa Umashankar WINGS TO HOPE CHARITY FOR CHILDREN 71 Vinothkumar. V Wings to hope charity for children mahabalipuram 72 Vijay World vision 73 K.sneha World vision 74 CHATRAGADDA ALEXANDER World Vision India 75 Lalymole World Vision India 76 Chelladurai World Vision India 77 Jayamala World vision india 78 Sundari World Vision India 79 Maheshwari World Vision India 80 Y RAVI KUMAR WORLD VISION INDIA 81 GUDELLY Benjamin World Vision India 82 M.SUDHEER World vision india
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83 MADHAN S WORLD VISION INDIA 84 Thavamani P World Vision India 85 Thavamani P World Vision India 86 RAMAPULLAIAH AGGONI World vision India 87 S.sanjeev kumar World vision of India 88 N.Priya WorldVision 89 Faizal WYT 90 Dinesh Kumar Rajendran X-Hcl 91 M. வெ柍கடேசன் தமிழகஆதிொசிகளின்埂翍ேமமப்ꯁTAF
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Initial Joint Rapid Needs Assessment Report Ver 2 – 96 Hrs- Cyclone NIVAR, November2020
SUPPORTED BY:
Sphere India Secretariat
B-94, Sector 44, Noida,
Uttar Pradesh 201303
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