SEEMA HARIHARAN talks to two Atlanta residents who prioritize the nature of help needed in the disaster struck areas.

Tsunami struck days ago, but its aftermath still continues to haunt humanity. There has been a tremendous outpour of relief efforts from all corners of the world and many in Georgia have participated and continue to do so. R. Siddharthan is an Atlanta based Indian who has close relatives who are in charge of relief operations in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore, two of the worst hit areas of Tamil Nadu in India. Siddharthan’s role in this relief effort is to direct people to the right sources. “The district collector and the head of the rural development agencies are swamped with people who want to help,” says Siddharthan. “I want to help put it in the right direction.” 

According to him there are a lot of people who are currently helping out with antibiotics. “We don’t need more clothes now. We don’t need doctors to vaccinate.” says Siddharthan. “Most people are looking at short term goals. Very few look at long term needs. We need people to support the relief effort three months down the line.” 

Another Atlanta resident, Pastor Palmer of the Atlanta Tamil Church, who has four missionaries working in Tamil Nadu, puts forth another view on the relief effort. Human bodies, which were buried by the surging waters caused by Tsunami, swell up and break through the land. Who tends to these cadavers? This is one of the pictures Pastor Palmer paints as he reiterates the death and agony caused by Tsunami. Palmer says that in addition to the candle light vigil that was held for Tsunami victims on December 30, 2004, he along with others are collecting funds to support people in India and Srilanka. “Corporative societies are helping fishermen repair and fix boats. We can support with finances or medication,” says Palmer. He says it’s better to send money to these areas. “In India people won’t accept clothes. So we are sending money there,” says Palmer. “People are not able to accept their state,” he adds. Another facet that further complicates the situation according to Palmer is the corruption due to which people hesitate to support the government. 

Palmer nonetheless asserts that we must learn from this tragedy. “Shelter must be built 500 m away from the sea shore and people must adopt this rule,” says Palmer. “People who live next to the shore need to build homes with strong foundations, so that the building won’t collapse.”

Amidst the chaos, pockets of respite come in the form of help. Palmer says that Bollywood celebrities like Vivek Oberoi have adopted villages and have helped build about 200 to 300 huts. “We are planning to adopt a street,” says Palmer. “We will help build houses and provide thatched roofs.”

“We have to give people the moral support and help them recover from the shock.”