Date: January 8, 2005

Activity: Field visits with UELCI (United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India)

Objective: Distribute relief materials (cooking/eating utensils, saris, dotis, and blankets)

The distribution of approximately 800 relief packets in four villages went very smoothly. There were no conflicts and UELCI staff/volunteers were extremely efficient.

While I was working with CASA (Church's Auxiliary for Social Action), UELCI staff met with local government officials to finalize their allocation of villages for long-term rehabilitation activities. The government has announced that providing housing and boats is now a priority (this happened faster than the NGO's expected). Temporary housing will consist of thatched houses and can be constructed immediately. Cyclone and flood-proof permanent houses will be raised and made of concrete. The government will provide land ownership papers and approve the housing design. UELCI will use Cash-for-Work or Food-for-Work programs to provide housing construction labor.

As they develop their livelihood recovery plans UELCI will consult with fishing cooperatives and unions to determine the best strategy (revolving loan funds, of what size, to whom, etc). Right now the central issue (besides the lack of boats and nets) is the government's instruction to fishermen NOT to fish for 2 months and the rumors going around that the tsunami contaminated the fish supply. Rev. Martin mentioned organizing a seminar with the department of science and technology to openly discuss the safety of local fish. He also wondered if American scientists could publicly announce that neither seismic activity nor recently cleared bodies can contaminate marine life.

Community cyclone shelters will be constructed in 6-12 months. It will take so much time because they need to consult community members on the best location and then secure the allocation of land from the government.

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