Tamil Nadu launches website to coordinate relief efforts

The website, which was hastily put together within two hours and went live in the wee hours of Sunday, was to ensure coordinated relief efforts to victims of the Kerala floods. The government had appointed Santhosh Babu and Dr Darez Ahmed to assist State Relief Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration K Satyagopal, to coordinate the flood relief efforts.

Santhosh Babu said that the state government is coordinating the relief efforts through the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). “The TN government is working towards identifying the relief requirements, through officials from the Kerala government. We are also finding out where the aid is required critically and if these places are accessible,” said Babu. 

The IAS official added that the State Relief Commissioner and the District Collectors and Heads of Departments (HoDs) are coordinating supplies of essential commodities such as rice, milk products, medicines and other basic materials from Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC), Aavin and Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC). He also pointed out that there was a massive response from the civil society and private institutions, who are collecting relief materials and dispatching them to the required locations in Kerala.

“We created the website (Anbudan Tamizhagam) in barely two hours, not only to coordinate with district collectors and other officials but also the large response from the public, who may be finding it difficult to dispatch the goods, due to the transport network being sorely affected. We are in the process of tying up with various airlines and have already reached a consensus with the railways, both the entities are willing to offer their services pro bono to aid in the relief efforts,” said Babu. 

The website also lists the relief materials sorely required under the following categories, dry rations, toiletries, utilities and clothes. 

In addition, a collection centre, functioning from 10 am to 8 pm, has been set up at Chintadripet Library, where relief material can be dropped by, following a representation from the people and organisations for help to coordinate their efforts. People from Chennai can drop off their collected relief material to this centre, which is staffed with volunteers. “Once the collection reaches critical mass, we will airlift the materials or send it via the Railways,” said Babu. “Back-to-home” kits are being prepared for distribution, to help the residents of Kerala regain normalcy after this disaster.