India: Coastal archdioceses appeal for help in wake of cyclone Okhi

Tribal families in relief camp - image Caritas

Source: Vatican Radio, Caritas India

India's Catholic dioceses and aid agencies in the southern coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala states are coping with a massive disaster in the wake of the cyclone Okhi, that swept through the region on 29 November. Several hundred fishermen are feared missing, Fr Deepak Anto, from the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum, wrote an email to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

The cyclone originated as a depression in the Gulf of Thailand on 21 November and gained strength as it crossed the northern Indian Ocean and ended near the coast of India's Gujarat state causing great damage in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and in Lakshadweep islands.

Fr Deepak told Vatican Radio the affected Trivandrum Archdiocese and Tamil Nadu's Kottar Diocese "are very much engaged in the rescue operation and relief work" in collaboration with the state and central governments. Fr Deepak said unfortunately the world's media has not given enough coverage to the disaster.

Archbishop Maria Callist Soosai Pakiam of Trivandrum diocese said at least 20 people are known to have died. More than 585 Catholics are missing from Kerala alone and the situation in neighbouring Tamil Nadu state is not very different. He blamed the "intensity of the disaster" on the "lack of proper weather warning" about the approaching cyclone.

While most of the relief operations are focused on the fishing community, another small tribal community living in the reserved forest area beyond Pechiparai dam in Kanyakumari district were nearly forgotten.

Dr Arockiaraj from Caritas India based in Tamil Nadu said that the plight of these tribal families was brought to the attention of the Government, days later by NGOs working nearby. They could not be initially reached as the roads leading to their habitat were obstructed by uprooted trees. The cyclone uprooted tens of thousands of trees along the adjoining coastal villages of Kanyakumari and Trivandrum causing extensive damages to houses and power lines.

Cyclone relief camps were established in places namely Villisalimalai, Puravilai, Thachamalai and Manalodai.

Caritas India is supporting 164 tribal families; of whom, 19 are elderly, seven widows, four single women and 22 small children.

Based on the need assessment conducted by Marthandam Integrated Development Society (MIDS), a local NGO partner, Caritas India is helping restore shelters of 164 families in Alamparai, Valiamalai and Manalodai hamlets.

Kerala Bishops' Council observed Sunday, 10 December as a day of prayer for the victms of cyclone Okhi.

On the following day, Monday, 11 December a march has been called to the state governor's office, to express their "sorrow, pain and anguish" and to urge rescue operations and rehabilitation work for the affected people. The archbishop has appealed for prayers, solidarity and help for all.

Read more about the work of Caritas India here: http://caritasindia.org