South East Asia, 2005
Tsunami Relief Weblog
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January 26, 2005:
By Jagroop Singh and Rushvinder Singh (Sri Lanka)
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
On Wednesday 26th January 05 (around 9.40am), we visited the Batticoloa
disaster zones exactly one month to the hour since the tsunami came crashing
in. After observing a minute's silence, we walked around and spoke to
families, who had been erecting white flags marking the spots where their
loved-ones had perished; these makeshift flags could be seen everywhere
along the beachfront.
We visited three beaches (Navallady, Dutch Bar and Thru Chandol) in order to
get in-depth accounts of current situations being faced by locals. We spoke
to the victims themselves. Their accounts detailed governmental neglect,
long-term loss of livelihood and extreme frustration and despair. These
accounts were repeated by everyone we spoke to, time after time, along the
beachfront.
The major problem facing these Tamil victims is their sense of
double-standards being applied; they feel they are being ignored, victimised
and totally overlooked because of political issues. Within Sri Lanka there
are two main communities: the Singalese in the South and the North and
Eastern-based Tamils, who feel ignored because of the tense relationship
between the government and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). As usual, it is the
innocent civilian population that suffers; women and children especially.
Although Khalsa Aid is non-political and has no bias, these are the views
and facts presented to us by local victims and not of the team themselves.
After visiting the disaster zones, we visited three local colleges where
families who had lost everything are being temporarily housed. Conditions
are appalling; so much so that we were emotionally affected - especially by
the plight of the women and children we met. Their courage and general
resolve inspires us. The sight of all these people crammed together, yet
smiling, playing and helping one another is truly amazing. This is despite
the fact that they are living in filthy conditions, with poor sanitation and
little privacy. These colleges, which have been turned into makeshift
refugee shelters, are not only smelly but also fly-infested; this coupled
with the heat makes them unbearable.
However these families are unaware that they will soon be moved to a
'transition camp'. We insisted that we see this location and when we
arrived, we were totally shocked at the sorry state of this place. It is
nothing more than a derelict and dilapidated warehouse. We now understand
why the families are not being told about the move; it's even worse than the
colleges. The toilet and washing facilities are very poor and the refugees
will be expected to sleep on concrete floors; privacy will be non-existent.
In fact, the conditions are not even fit for cattle.
This will be home until Khalsa Aid, in partnership with the local TRO (Tamil
Rehabilitation Organisation), erects 500 of the 3,000 semi-permanent huts
which may house them for up to a year. The materials needed for these huts
are being purchased and supplied by Khalsa Aid. The only problem is that
although the shipment has landed in Sri Lanka (Columbo Airport), these
much-needed supplies are being held by customs that are being overly
bureaucratic.
We are currently trying to apply pressure so that these materials can be
released for delivery to Batticoloa, so that construction can begin
immediately. Khalsa Aid will also be employing up to 1,000 local victims,
including local fishermen who have lost their livelihood, in order to build
these huts. This will give them a sense of self-worth and help them and
their families financially.
Khalsa Aid will also be supplying desperately needed water-pumps so that
bathing and sanitation facilities can be provided.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa,
Waheguru ji ki Fateh.
Contact Details:
Hotline (England): 01753 728630 (Mon-Fri, 10am to 6pm)
Ground Team (India): +91 984 025 8984 (Nick Kandola, Chennai) OR
+91 319 223 2644 (room 109, after 8pm local time (GMT+5.30 hours),
Ravinder Singh at Port Blair)
Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website
(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).
January 18, 2005:
From Ravinder Singh at Port Blair
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
My morning started early today at 5am. I have to prepare for the
shipment of aid acquired for Campbell Bay and every hour is crucial
when you know you're only here for a short period. I am acutely
aware of the trust the Sangat has put in Khalsa Aid. We could come
here and entrust the delivery of aid to others in the hope that
local officials do not squander it. We could also make a few calls
to other groups and say that we have networked with them, when in
fact all of the work has been there's and not ours. From my
experience in other missions in Europe, Africa and Asia, I have
learnt that if all I can do is very little, then I have to make sure
that that is done correctly. I have to ensure the aid gets delivered
to the needy. It is as simple as that. This is the trust the Sangat
has placed on Khalsa Aid.
At 8am I met with Kulwant Singh of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study
Circle and we began discussing the activities for the day. The main
focus was the aid and getting it on a ship for Campbell Bay. Of
course, we couldn't deliver all of the aid to the port ourselves, so
we hired a truck and some local labour to help us.
By the time we got to the port, we naively assumed we'd be finished
within an hour or so. In fact, it took 4 hours in the midday heat to
get all of the aid on the ship. Both the officials and the ship's
captain were very helpful.
I was scheduled to meet the Governor of the Islands at 5pm. However,
he was elsewhere co-ordinating the region's relief work. I took this
opportunity to talk with international aid agencies about what they
thought was needed. It became evident to me that there are many NGOs
and `Umbrella' organizations here that have not heeded local advice,
but are using this crisis as an opportunity to raise funds. Sangat
ji, I had seen this in other missions, and can see this happening
here too. Khalsa Aid always works with local groups. Our experience
since 1999 has shown us that the local population knows best about
what is needed.
When Khalsa Aid visited Campbell Bay, we were able to talk with many
of the locals there. Bibi Gurnam Kaur, presently in an army camp,
told us how she had lost so much during an earthquake on the Islands
during the 1980s. Her family had not recovered fully from that
disaster, only to be hit by this one. Her request was
simple: `relocate me to Punjab'. Harjinder Kaur of Gobind Nagar was
staying with relatives. Both her house and land had been destroyed.
The seawater has made her fields unusable. Parmjit Kaur of Joginder
Nagar was also in an army relief camp and told Khalsa Aid that her
property was also destroyed.
Most of the aid we acquired was for immediate relief. We've not
decided to do any long term work yet. New Delhi has sent geologists
to study the Island's topography since the Tsunami. The Indian PM
has asked the Punjab government to relocate around 300 Sikh families
from Campbell Bay to Punjab. It is clear to me how generous the
people of Punjab have been to this distant Island. Both the SGPC and
the Punjab government had sent aid immediately. Sant Baba Eshar
Singh, working for a group independent of Khalsa Aid, has also
assisted them in distributing this aid. I was able to talk to
Jaswinder Singh and Roop Singh of the SGPC as I wanted to ensure
that work was not duplicated between them and us. It is good to see
so many Sikhs working on the Island.
There are many groups here sending out releases about rebuilding the
Island, but it is evident that the final decision on this lies with
the government. Only temporary shelter is needed in some locations.
The local authorities have focused their attention on temporary
shelters before the monsoon arrives.
By around 9pm I was able to meet with the Governor. I was also able
to liaise with the Lion's Club officials on the Island too. The
meeting with the Governor was fruitful. We relayed to him the
logistical problems we had had whilst here. It is nice to know that
he took the time out to talk to us. We are still looking into
further activities on the Island such as sanitation facilities
within relief camps.
It is always difficult to give full details of our activities due to
hijacking by other groups. We had already made announcements about
other groups collecting on our behalf, when, in fact, we are totally
independent of these `Umbrella' organizations. Sangat ji, at the
moment, our only partner on the ground here is Sri Guru Gobind Singh
Study Circle. Whilst we are networking with locals, this activity is
to ensure our aid is delivered.
We have made it quite clear. Anyone wishing to know about our
activities here in India can contact us directly.
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa,
Waheguru ji ki Fateh.
Contact Details:
Hotline (England): 01753 728630 (Mon-Fri, 10am to 6pm)
Ground Team (India): +91 984 025 8984 (Nick Kandola, Chennai) OR
+91 319 223 2644 (room 109, after 8pm local time (GMT+5.30 hours),
Ravinder Singh at Port Blair)
Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website
(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).
January 15, 2005:
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Khalsa Aid has been providing Humanitarian and development aid since
1999. This has only been possible due to the generosity of the Sikh
Sangat.
Our relief work has been done in both war zones as well as in
natural disaster areas. None of the Sevadaars have ever received
payment for their time. In most cases, the Sevadaars even pay for
their own hotels, flights and food while on aid missions. Whenever
we have worked within the vicinity of the Sikh Sangat, we have
stayed either in Gurdwaras or with kinded hearted Sikh families.
We are responsible for every penny YOU donate to Khalsa Aid. Khalsa
Aid is the only international relief agency to maintain low costs (2-
4% of revenue).
We do not see every operation as an opportunity to raise money, but
as a chance to put the concept of Sarbat Da Bhalla and Wand Kay
Chakna into a practical reality. There are many charities and
organizations that will continuously ask for donations but spend
very little of the money collected. I am personaly aware of this
going on at present in India with Waheguru as my witness.
Khalsa Aid was formed to offer assistance to the needy anywhere in
the world and so far has kept away from the "grab as much money as
possible" during human suffering. This is the main reason why we
have partnered with Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle as they share
these same ideals of the Khalsa. Whilst we are aware of some groups
in the region, including political groups and activists, we have not
yet formally linked with them.
Of course, we need donations to continue this Seva. YOU, the Sangat,
are wise enough to know the aid we have delivered on your behalf to
Albania, Turkey, Somalia, DR Congo, Afghanistan and India.
I would again like to thank Bhai Kulwant Singh of Guru Gobind Singh
Study Circle for taking the initiative to visit Campbell Island and
to let the world know about the plight of the Islanders.
Feel free to call us whilst we are in India on the numbers below.
Ravinder Singh
Waheguru Ji kA Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
Phone:
Hotline (England) 01753 728630
Ground Team (India) +91 984 025 8984 (Nick Kandola) OR +91 984 060 3528
(Ravinder Singh)
Ground Team (Andaman Islands) +91 319 226 4271 (PCO Office: Please ask for
Parmjit Singh or Kulwant Singh)
Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website
(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).
January 14, 2005:
From Ravinder Singh at Campbell Bay
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Sangat Ji, until this morning nobody from the Sikh community knew the extent
of the devastation on the Indian Ocean island of Campbell Bay.
Bhai Kulwant Singh of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle and Khalsa Aid, who
organised the aid mission to the Sikh Sangat on this island, was extremely
upset at the site of utter devastation.
Bhai Kulwant Singh contacted the team in Chennai to arrange for food rations
immediately. Since this morning Khalsa Aid/ Sri Guru Singh Study Circle have
written and delivered a letter which outlines the sadness and disappointment
at lack of support from the Sikh community leaders and the Indian Government
have shown to the Sikhs of the island.
There has not been any interest in the Sikhs on this island since the
Tsunami but suddenly everyone seems to be getting ready for a photo
opportunity or fundraising. Such is the sad state of affairs when publicity
and fund raising become priorities over pure relief work.
Khalsa Aid made contact with the islanders ten days ago to try to offer help
but it took a long time to organize the trip due to my NRI status.
There are two trucks of food approaching Chennai which Khalsa Aid is trying
to charter a special flight to make sure it reaches the Sikh Sangat on the
island within hours. In case it's difficult to organize a flight then we
will seek alternative fast and efficient transport.
Khalsa Aid/Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle will be involved in offering
full support to the islanders to begin the reconstruction of the properties
and the Gurdwara Sahib. The reconstruction will run into crores of ruppees
and the Indian government will have to be fully involved.
When I reached the Gurdwara at Campbell Bay, I was shocked to see the
damage. The Gurdwara is virtually destroyed, with its foundations still
flooded. It is with a heavy heart that I also mention the Guru Granth Sahib
also has water damage. The main road to the Gurdwara has been destroyed and
in the area there are countless families living in camps.
The Sikhs on the Island have suffered in silence but the response from the
Sangat should be loud and clear.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Phone:
Hotline (England) 01753 728630
Ground Team (India) +91 984 025 8984 (Nick Kandola) OR +91 984 060 3528
(Ravinder Singh)
Ground Team (Andaman Islands) +91 319 226 4271 (PCO Office: Please ask for
Parmjit Singh or Kulwant Singh)
Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website
(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).
January 13, 2005:
From Ravinder Singh on Andaman Island
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
The Sri Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle (Mumbai branch) and Khalsa Aid have
teamed up to travel to Campbell Bay tomorrow morning. This area consisted of
many Sikh families before the Tsunami hit, but it is thought to have
suffered considerable damage. It took nine hours just to get the flight and
permission from the authorities in Port Blair (Andaman Island).
We met many local Sikhs who kept repeating that the Sikh community in
Campbell Bay has been treated very unfairly and needed urgent assistance. We
will be staying two days in Campbell Bay to assess the long term assistance
needed here.
Dear Sangat Ji, the community on Campbell Bay suffered great losses in 1981
from a powerful earthquake which damaged many properties. So for it to
suffer again is a massive psychological as well as physical loss. We can
only offer hope with your blessings and encouragement. It is vital that they
are aware that we will offer them all assistance to get them back on their
feet. Khalsa Aid has worked around the globe to provide humanitarian aid and
that was all due to your funding. Now we must divert our full attention to
the unfortunate families stuck on an island without much contact with the
outside world.
PLEASE HELP AND PRAY FOR THEM IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website
(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).
Call us: Hotline Number (England): 01753 728630
January 11, 2005:
From Ravinder Singh
We reached Coddalore at 10 am today (11 /01/05) and drove straight to the
District Collectors office. The meeting was arranged last night so that the
building of the houses for the Tsunami affected families could go ahead as
soon as possible. The various Sikh groups from around India were discussing
the final phase for this development with the Collector, Mr Gagandeep Singh.
Khalsa Aid again reiterated that we will not support any housing project
involving Asbestos and that the whole building contract should be put out to
tender to achieve the maximum amount of competitive attention. We left the
meeting after 45 minutes to have a look at a functioning kids nursery as
well as to view the neighboring affected nurseries. The first nursery we
came across was poorly lit, had no mats, no electricity, no activity books
nor toys. The lack of toys made the place look even bleaker. Khalsa Aid is
at this moment planning a program of rebuilding some of these nurseries.
The second nursery we visited was very badly damaged and a further 12 were
identified that were either beyond damage or needed to be rebuilt. Khalsa
Aid also discovered about 300 families were still without shelter and
exposed to the elements.
After discussing the matter with the local Collector we phoned around for
tents but could only find them 450 km away in Bangalore. Consequently, we
are on our way to place the order and to provide these unfortunate families
with basic shelter. It's always very difficult procuring goods is Asia but
we will hopefully be successful in this Seva.
We are very grateful to the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle Mumbai and
Chennai for their wonderful Chardi Kalan and continued support.
I am at this moment being eaten alive by mosquitoes in a place between
Cuddalore and Bangalore!! Khalsa Aid needs your continuous support and
blessings to complete this Seva for the Unfortunate victims of the Tsunami.
Please make a donation to this valuable cause by visiting our website
(http://www.khalsaaid.org/donate.html).
Call us: Hotline Number (England): 01753 728630
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