A slow effort takes off the ground
Since the tsunamis that struck parts of Asia on the 26th of December a slow and painful start has been made towards relief and rehabilitation. Most of the debris on the accessible parts of the coast have been removed though in Acheh itself is still reeling under the impact of the earthquake and the killer tsunamis. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands there has been large scale destruction and it is estimated that geeting these two islands back on to its pre tsunami level will take another 10 years. In parts of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu the administration has done a fairly good job in organising relief effort. In Nagapattinam, and the shrine town of Vellankani which suffered a great deal the relief has finally reached.
The most disturbing part of the present senario is that a large number of children have lost their parents. Tamil Nadu government has decided to adopt the tsunami affected chioldern. Earth moving equipment and building materia are badly needed. Generators and medicines are also in dire need.
The response of the international community has been extraordinary.