Cyclone Vardha Chennai- Relief and Rehabilitation

Centre for Women’s Development and Research

Cyclone Vardha Child-Relief and Rehabilitation – 26313

Update June 2017

We would say Cyclone Vardha happened at a wrong time like it happened within a year of Chennai mega floods 2015 so people were  still trying to come out of that shock building their lives step by step. Vardha destroyed that, Vardha cyclone were also happened during the demonetization period of Government of India so there was no money with people to donate. All these made the situation worse.  But still be best part is the strength and resilience of people particularly women.  They started rebuilding their homes and lives.  In fact that is our motivation in those difficult situations.  We have been continuing our usual work in those slums affected by Vardha like lifeskill, sexuality and supplementary education support and skill upgradation trainings for women domestic workers and single women.  We are approaching different organization including the government to rehabilitate the lives of those who had lost their homes. First time we realized need for corpse or reserve funds to meet disaster situations.

Our major focus was make sure that the girls continue their education during this worst situation because with all the difficulties the first victim would be the girl children.  Families may stop them from schools or send them for work. Since it was school annual examinations period we provided supplementary education support for school children so that they pass their examinations so that parents will not discontinue them from schools.   Most of the girls passed their examinations including those from 10^th and 12^th standard passed their board examinations but with low mark, now we are helping them to find college admissions or some skill trainings.  We are also continuing our weekend life skill and sexuality education nearly 200 adolescent girls benefitted from these programmes.  During Vardha rehabilitation activities we also realized the importance of toilets for women particularly in Sholinganallur slums, most of the makeshift toilets were destroyed.  So, we have been approaching the corporation for public toilets. We are also approaching other NGOs who are working in health, hygiene to come and help us.  

In between we have also organized May Day celebrations on 1^st May international workers day, since most of the women in slums are working as domestic workers or construction workers and they are not recognized as workers. So to create awareness about worker’s rights we celebrate workers day in slums. As part of this adolescent girls organized some recreational activities.  Mrs.Vasanthi, secretary AITUC-All India Trade Union Congress participated as a resource person and talked about the importance of May day and labour rights. We have also organized 2 housekeeping skill training for domestic workers in the slums, 78 women participated in this programme.  We are in the process of finding placements for them.  These trainings actually builds their confidence and look for a good future.

We know that it would take more time to rebuild their lives from floods and cyclone disasters but women are determined and confident to do that and we are happy we are part of it.

A volunteer Ms.Uma visited our project 4^th June and visited the slum areas and interacted with adolescent girls and women.   She also explained the ways effectively using the tools in Globalgiving site.