DA - KARAIKAL : RECONSTRUCTION AFTER DESTRUCTION
Tsunami - the Japanese word translates into English as "harbor wave." The world realized the meaning of this horrific word on the arrival of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. It was an undersea earthquake that occurred at 07:58:53 December 26, 2004 with an epicenter off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis that spread throughout the Indian Ocean, killing large numbers of people and inundating coastal communities across South and Southeast Asia, including parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Although initial estimates have put the worldwide death toll at over 275,000 with thousands of others missing, recent analysis compiled lists a total of 229,866 persons lost, including 186,983 dead and 42,883 missing.
On that fateful day, the Indian subcontinent faced its first recorded experience of tsunami, particularly in the eastern coast stretching from the full coastal belt of Tamil Nadu, Andaman Nicobar Islands. Pondicherry, Karaikal and Nagapattinam were the worst hit. Karaikal faced its worst tragedy in recent memory when the gigantic waves hit this coastal town and more than 2000 people, mostly fishermen and their families, were washed away and people who survived, lost all their belongings.
As the world looked at this historical tragic event, many came forward to help the victims and administration to tide over the crisis. There were a large number of NGOs participating in relief and rehabilitation work but the demand, by far exceeded the available help.
The Swiss Solidarity was one of the first aid agencies which got into the rehabilitation work along with local NGOs. In a short time they were able to make their mark in the local community. It was during this time, that the Swiss Red Cross / Swiss Solidarity took their decision to reconstruct houses for affected villagers. It got in touch with Development Alternatives for executing this project because of its long association in rehabilitation and development work and an MOU was signed with DA to execute the work.
Development Alternatives in turn, after assessing the scope and quantum of work from the Govt. of Pondicherry as also the local community accepted the proposal of Swiss Solidarity. Several meetings between DA staff and the local stakeholders finally resulted in a MOU with the Govt. of Pondicherry on September 10, 2005. The MOU stipulated the construction of a total number of 1175 houses which included 150 houses at Kottucherrymedu, 500 at Kilinjalmedu and 525 at Karaikalmedu. In addition, one primary school, one health centre, three community centres, three villages in Karaikal district Anganwadis and three play grounds were also to be constructed. Internal roads, internal water supply system, rain water harvesting and street lights at all the three villages were considered as part of the project. The project is to be completed in all respects by November 2007.
The process of construction began early in October 2005, quotations were called for and tendering process commenced. However, due to heavy rains in 2005 the entire area earmarked for construction got flooded and delayed reconstruction work. At this time that DA undertook relief work for the affected villagers and setting aside the responsibility of construction focussed completely on food distribution, preparation of shelters and issue of basic necessities.
The work of reconstruction eventually commenced in January 2006. The contractors began the work at the site. Since the area was low lying it was decided to fill it up and raise the level, land filling work was completed by the government by June 2006. The contractors work on the excavation and foundation of houses continued alongside but could not make much progress till the land filling was completed. The work could commenced in earnest only in July 2006.
DA had appointed KSM Consultants, Chennai, as architects based on stub foundations with FAL-G blocks masonary from Damp Proof Course Level to Sill Level and again from lintel to roof level. The houses were designed in rat trap masonry system. This technology was being introduced for the first time in the area and there were a lot of apprehensions on part of the local population about the soundness of the technology. These were put to rest after prolonged discussions, workshops and negotiations in which people participated in good numbers.
House Design
The design of the house came about after a number of interactions with the villagers. Notable was the stake holder meeting held at Kilinjalmedu on March 2 and 5, 11 August, 2005 with staffs from DA. All aspects of house design, village lyout, technology choices, infrastructure creation, and management was discussed. The final layout for the houses took into consideration all the choices made by the people.
Technology Initiative and Implementation
The production of FAL - G blocks has been undertaken at Kottucherrymedu (July 05) and Ijalmedu (Mar 06) and DA has moved five Balram mchines from Delhi with a dedicated team to undertake the production of FAL-G blocks for 1175 houses. The move to introduce FAL G blocks was a sound decision but local paucity of labour and in some cases unwillingness to work with fly ash as also ready availability of fly ash has continued to pose a serious challenge. With an average usage of approx 4000 FAL G blocks per house, the requirement is a colossal 3600000. The production of FAL-G blocks continues to remain a great challenge even today. The beneficiaries are fisher folks who do not wish to participate in the activity of FAL-G block production. The saving grace has been a team of women from Kottucherrymedu who have continued to make positive contribution towards this effort.
Community Development Milestones
In every community related project, the participation of the people is of paramount importance. In order to understand the local conditions, aspirations of people, discern their views on the construction and livelihood related activities of Development Alternatives, a base line survey of the villages was undertaken at the beginning of the project and then repeated in July 06. The objective of the survey was to document the number of families affected by tsunami and their present living conditions as also to catalog the existing housing structure and conditions. A Business Opportunity Workshop was conducted on Sept 26, 2005, to identify the scope and business opportunity for production of fly ash bricks. The workshop was attended by contractors, builders, government officials, bankers, existing entrepreneurs and Self Help Groups. The additional purpose was to create alternative livelihoods and other opportunities for local people.
After due deliberations with the villagers and panchayat, a village reconstruction committee was formed to undertake activities like capacity building, community asset management, water and sanitation, vegetation and landscaping, disaster preparedness as also assist the DA in carrying out quality checks on the houses under construction. The community development team is actively engaged in joining hands with other NGOs and continue to play an important role in the growth and advancement of the local people.
Present Status
The construction activity is in full swing and the pilot phase of two houses is complete. Rains and contractors' demands for cost escalations continue to challenge the team's price revision exercises - and the project is racing to meet its laid down schedule. Every effort is being made to ensure completion of project by November 2007.
Maj.
Gen. D.P. Merchant (R)
dpmerchnat@devalt.org
dpmerchnat@devalt.org