[asia-apec 1345] Special Fund for Victims of the Orissa Cyclone

[Anuradha Mittal]

November 18, 1999

PLEASE GIVE...
SPECIAL FUND FOR VICTIMS OF THE ORISSA CYCLONE IN INDIA

Many of you might know that a cyclone of tremendous and unprecedented
proportions has ravaged the state of Orissa in India. The sea surged 
nearly 30 km into the mainland sweeping away people, cattle and houses, 
and rendering agricultural land saline and unproductive. Over 10,000
people have been killed, and millions displaced from their homes and on 
the verge of economic destitution. An estimated 3,46-,736  head of 
livestock have so far been reported to have perished in the cyclone.
There is are acute shortages of food, medicines and shelter. Property
damage is projected to be greater than 3.5 billion dollars.

The cyclone came at a time when the state of Orissa was expecting a 
bumper crop. All that is now gone, and to make things worse, farm 
animals, seeds, and agricultural implements have been destroyed, as have 
entire cities and a major port. Moreover, farmers will not be able to 
plant crops for the next 2-3 years since the land has been salinized, 
depriving them of their livelihoods for several years.

The State of Orissa has declared a state of emergency and there are now
5,000 Indian Army troops in the state attempting to clear roads, re-open 
ports (so that supplies can be delivered) and drop food by helicopter. 
Although the Indian government has launched a massive relief and 
rehabilitation effort, the sheer magnitude of the calamity makes it 
imperative to complement its activities is as many ways as possible. 
There are several excellent non-profit and voluntary efforts afoot, but 
these agencies need to be supported financially if they are to carry on 
their work.

A group of concerned citizens is therefore launching a drive to
collect as many relief funds as possible. The funds will be channeled
to the best of the non-profit efforts currently underway. The
recipients will be identified by a select group of university professors 
of South Asian origin who will be in India next week. The Institute for 
Food and Development Policy (Food First) has volunteered to act as a 
fiscal sponsor for this drive. Your contributions will therefore be tax 
exempt. You can make your contributions by check, cash or credit card. 
Please contribute generously to this effort to help the victims of this 
immense tragedy.

Please make your checks out to: FOOD FIRST
Please indicate the following on the check: "Orissa Cyclone Relief"

Please mail your checks to:
Food First, Orissa Cyclone Relief
398 60th Street
Oakland, CA 94618

or, you can pay via credit card, by sending
your name, credit card company (visa or MC), credit card
number, expiration date, and amount.  Send by mail to the
above address, by email to foodfirst at foodfirst.org,
or by fax to 1-510-654-4551 or, by phone at: (510) 654-4400

Thank you very much for your contribution.

Signed:

Anuradha Mittal, Policy Director, Food First
Ravi Rajan, Assistant Professor, University of California at Santa Cruz
Peter Rosset, Executive Director, Food First

Food First/The Institute for Food and Development Policy
398 60th Street
Oakland, California 94618  USA
tel: 510/654-4400 fax: 510/654-4551
www.foodfirst.org

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MORE INFORMATION ON THE CYCLONE
'Survival of Millions' at Stake in India Cyclone Disaster, says UN 
report 10 November 1999

The situation of millions of people in Orissa - struck by a devastating
cyclone two weeks ago - is 'still so disastrous that its gravity cannot 
be overestimated,' says the UN's assessment mission. The report says it 
is 'a question of pure survival for millions of people during several 
months'.

The field mission report - published by the UN Disaster Assessment and
Coordination team - says that: Nearly all means of earning a living -
crops, livestock and fishing boats -  have been lost. Less than one in 
20 people have proper sanitation. There has been massive destruction of 
homes, health centers and schools. There is widespread contamination of 
drinking water. Many affected areas can still only be reached by boat or 
air.

The report says that immediate, short-term action is needed to provide
food, shelter and safe drinking water, and to prevent epidemics breaking 
out. In the medium term, says the report, over US$100 million will be 
needed in food aid alone. The report confirms the fears of Disaster 
Emergency Committee (DEC) agencies (DEC is made up of the UK's leading 
international development and relief charities) of the sheer scale of 
the cyclone's devastation.

SAVE THE CHILDREN EMERGENCY BULLETIN ON THE ORISSA CYCLONE
5 Nov 1999
Summary: On Friday 29th October a 'super cyclone' hit the northern 
Orissan coast at Paradip. It was the second disaster to hit the state in 
two weeks - in mid-October the southern coast was also hit by a cyclone. 
Accurate estimates of damage across the state remain very difficult, but 
some observers believe that up to 5,000 people have been killed and 15 
million may be affected. More than half of this number are children.

Background: A 'super cyclone' with winds of up to 160 miles per hour hit 
the coast of northern Orissa on Friday 29th October. It was followed by 
tidal waves up to 30 meters high which swept 15 kilometers inland. 
Accurate reports of damage remain very difficult as telecommunications 
have been disrupted across the state. However, estimates suggest that up 
to 15 million people have been affected and 2 million have lost their 
homes. The number of people killed is still unknown. So far, 924 bodies 
have been recovered, but many observers believe that the final death 
toll will be into the thousands.

This was the second cyclone to hit Orissa in a fortnight. Earlier in the 
month a cyclone hit the southern coast; although not widely reported, 
this storm caused widespread damage and significant loss of life. 
Ganjam, Puri and Khurda districts were all badly affected, and in 
Gopalpur 27 villages were submerged. The BBC reports that relief still 
has not reached 60 per cent of the population, and that half are still 
marooned in floodwaters.

Food distribution is very difficult as many areas remain under water, 
and many people have now been without food for a week. There are reports 
of supply trucks being looted and of armed gangs holding-up traffic and 
robbing houses.

Health Fears: The flood waters are now contaminated with animal 
carcasses and dead bodies, leading to fears that there may be outbreaks 
of cholera and water-borne diseases such as diarrhea. Poor sanitation is 
adding to the problem: many people forced from their homes have 
congregated together and sanitation facilities are insufficient to cope. 
Drinking water is usually drawn from tube wells. However, widespread 
flooding and displacement mean that many people cannot access clean 
water from this source.

Immediate Impact on Children: Although an accurate assessment of the 
impact of the cyclone on children is still not possible, previous 
experience suggests that the immediate physical and emotional effects 
are likely to be severe. Some children will have lost parents, siblings 
and/or other members of their family. This will cause immediate distress 
and may have economic consequences, particularly if the main 
bread-winner has been killed. Many children will also be traumatized by 
the experience of living through the storm. These children will need 
physical care and emotional support immediately and in the longer-term. 
A particular concern is that children may be placed in institutional 
care.

Health: There are initial reports of cholera, malaria and dysentery. If
serious epidemics of cholera and water-borne diseases do occur, there 
will be high numbers of deaths among children under 5 years. Children 
who have not eaten for many days are particularly vulnerable. Orissa is 
one of the poorest States in India and, even before the cyclone, health 
services struggled to meet needs. Without substantial support, services 
will not have the capacity to prevent or respond to major epidemics.

Food: Food is an urgent priority. The amount of food aid being delivered 
to Orissa is insufficient; distribution systems are poorly organized, 
which means that rations to not reach all those in need; and 
infrastructure breakdown means that there are no markets.

Shelter: In some areas, 100 per cent of mud houses have been destroyed.
There has also been extensive damage to bamboo houses and some concrete
housing. In total, an estimated 2 million people have been made 
homeless. Continued exposure is likely to have damaging effects on 
children's health, particularly as winter approaches. Children's clothes 
will be required.

Education: There is little hard evidence about the impact of the cyclone 
on schools. However, it is likely that many schools will have been 
damaged or destroyed, and that undamaged schools are being used as 
shelters (so classes cannot be held). Education provision was already 
very inadequate in Orissa, and services will be under even greater 
pressure as a result of the disaster. Education can play an important 
role in helping children to cope in the aftermath of the cyclone. 
Schools provide a forum in which practical survival skills can be 
taught, as well as a sense of stability and normalcy that can aid 
long-term recovery.

Cycle of Poverty: The full extent of damage to crops, farmland and
livestock is not yet known. However, Orissa's Finance Minister has said
that the paddy crop has been wiped out and that cashew and coconut
plantations are badly affected. ActionAid reports that in one area, Puri 
district, 25,000 cattle have died. This could throw many farming 
families into a cycle of poverty and deprivation.

Other families also face economic hardship. Small business people may 
have lost their tools and stock. Female-headed households are likely to
experience even greater poverty. Tribal people who migrate to Orissa to
work have seen their earnings swept away, and day laborers have been 
thrown out of work.


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