Greetings from Karunalaya!

Hope you are fine. We are fine here. Please find attached our post tsunami action plan which was prepared after a series of steps to assess the needs, the present strength and weakness and the action to be taken for the people post tsunami. This was done by Dr. Elizabeth Negi consultant who is our friend spent time and energy to meet the affected people and interact with various stakeholders and staff.

We had a session with our staff on the 4th June 2005 at Karunalaya. Dr. Elizabeth and Mr. Senthilathiban, consultant conducted the session to lead the staff team for a strategy plan. The budget is worked out keeping in view of the holistic need.

The plan for the temporary shelters and permanent housing is not come to a shape due to uncertainity. But presently there is a strong and urgent need to construct temporary shelters because the government temporary shelters are in a very worse shape with a lot of health and sanitation problems and the houses have torn out. A new sight has been identified by the government for housing the people temporarily for which immediately temporary shetlers have to be built in a manner that will protect them for next 2 years. We had an important consultation yesterday with the Chennai coordination council attended by the Chennai District Collector Mr. Chandra Mohan and various other organisations.

In the coming weeks decisions will be taken by the government on the type of temporary shelters to be built, the model designed by experts were presented in the consultation yesterday. After the decision only the cost of one temporary shelter will be finalised. There were models which cost Rs. 35,000- another cost Rs. 8000- another Rs. 15000-. People considered not the cost but the time factor and to provide a house to live with dignity and safety. The rain season is fast approaching to put up the shelters before that is a priority.

We expect your comments, questions and a loving action for the project.

Regards
Paul and all

KARUNALAYA
108, Senaimman Koil Street
Tondiarpet, (Behind Apollo Hospital)
Chennai - 600 081, Tamil Nadu, India
Telephone: 25911214, 25916574
email: karunalaya@hotmail.com,karunalaya@vsnl.net