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| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
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Tsunami victims complain by Chanuka Mannapperuma and Thileni Wickramaratne reporting from Galle Blue tents still dot the ravaged land beside the sea at Paragahakumbura (Dadalla) Galle. Even after six months since the boxing day tsunami these victims of the tidal terror stay crouched in more or less enclosed tents. This particular tsunami camp in Dadalla carries a community of about 102 victimised families that had nothing to express but their resentment towards authorities who promised their largest since December 26, 2004. The residents of the camp said that tracing back to what was promised for the victims at the outset - the refugees were to be given a dole of Rs. 5,000 per month, then a ration card, temporary housing and of course, permanent housing. But of course, according to them they have only received a tent donated by an international organisation. Inside the tents, there lies quite a sorry state. Indrani has seven in her family and all seven hunch inside the tent along with a small bed and the rest of their worldly belongings that the tsunami forgot to take. These tents were complained of turning unbearably hot under the beating sun towards mid-day. The camp residents complained of not receiving the dole of Rs. 5,000 any more. "We got this allowance only for two months and that was it. No more," said Indrani. So there is a struggle to survive on their own by resuming their way of life either by fishing industry or engaging in labour work. The victims have been given a ration card but they said that it carries three weeks' arrears of food that was not distributed among them. "There are days without food", said one of the victims. These people claimed waiting for the generosity of individuals who sometimes distribute food amongst tsunami victims. Temporary housing has only progressed so far as the number of 50 in the camp. While thirty houses are occupied by Mahamodera victims, 20 have been donated to Dadalla families. The victims complained of not being given the basic amenities of kitchens and lavatories. The camp residents showed how they depended on one shanty of the size of a dog's kennel which they call their kitchen that consisted of their slovenly cooking utensils. "They didn't give us a kitchen or a toilet", said one. The lavatory is an enclosed square of land with a zinc sheet. Water was seen as a festering problem as the victims share whatever scarce amount of water from one plastishell. As the victims said most refugees of the camp are residents of the 100 metres buffer zone and complained that no land has been relocated as promised. Tracing TAFREN statements, they said that the tsunami victims who possessed damaged houses within the buffer zone were supposed to get relocated land along with a newly built permanent house. The victims outside buffer zones with totally and partially damaged houses were to receive financial grants for house renovation. But of course the victims of Dadalla claimed that nothing has been awarded to them so far. What is to be perceived in the camp is the victims' never-ending fear of the sea. One victim said that every now and then they received rumours of another tsunami coming. Given this situation, the fishermen in the area face quite a calamity as they run away from the sea. The eyes of these victims tell many stories. The tsunami took their life's savings and now six months after, it is still a struggle for survival. |
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