CYCLONE OCKHI RELIEF
Tamil Nadu: On 29 November, the Cyclone Ockhi hit Kanyakumari and brought in its wake heavy rains and cyclonic winds resulting in large scale damage to life and property. In response to the calamity, Chennai Math conducted the primary relief service in three phases across the 48 hilly settlements spread in an area of 85 sq. kms. While the team traversed the hilly tract many times in the course of the few days, many other NGOs and even the local Government officials found it difficult to reach the people there. The team conducted the survey, issued tokens and distributed relief materials among the affected families in person. The relief work was conducted by serving 4200 plates of cooked food among 600 persons and distributing 2800 loaves of bread, 12,500 kg rice, 2500 kg dal (lentils), 2650 kg sugar, 1250 kg suji (semolina), 1250 kg salt, 625 litres of edible oil, 875 kg assorted spices, 530 kg tea leaves, 1250 packets of candles and 1250 matchboxes among 1400 affected families from 3 to 11 December. The centre is going to undertake rehabilitation work soon.
In the first phase of its primary relief service in the cyclone affected border area of Kunnathumala in Thiruvananthapuran district, Thiruvananthapuram centre distributed 550 kg rice, 27 kg edible oil, 56 kg dal, 55 kg salt, 27 kg sugar, 5 kg tea leaves, 55 coconuts and 5 kg dry chilli among 55 families on 10 December. Further reports are awaited.
WINTER RELIEFÂ
A total of 48,166 blankets and 1,44,535 winter garments are being distributed by 98 of our centres, among poor people affected by winter, flood, fire etc. in different parts of the country.
DISTRESS RELIEFÂ
To extend a helping hand to poor and needy people, 15 of our centres in different parts of the country have distributed 3775 saris, 4584 dhotis, 380 uttariyas, 106 chaddars, 4 lungis, 12,588 shirts, 12,768 pants, 1175 tops, 47 frocks, 658 assorted garments, 190 ladies garments, 50 towels, 120 bedsheets, 489 mosquito-nets, 2315 pairs of socks, 180 belts, 100 wallets, 615 kg rice, 80 kg dal, 40 kg sugar, 400 kg edible oil, 40 kg tamarind, 5 kg baby food, 1802 notebooks, 3200 bars of bathing soap and 31 plates among poor and needy people during the month of December.
DISTURBANCE RELIEF
Bangladesh: On 17 November, Rangpur centre distributed 14 blankets, 14 saris and 14 lungis among 14 families affected by a social disturbance in Thakurpara area in Rangpur district.
ECONOMIC REHABILITATION
West Bengal: Rahara centre distributed 6 sewing machines, 3 cycle-rickshaws and 1 rickshaw van among poor and needy people on 14 December.
