USAID Focuses on Disaster Preparedness in Tamil Nadu

Statement by Mr. Christopher Wurst at Tsunami Commemoration, Cuddalore.

December 26, 2005

Good morning. I am Christopher Wurst and am here with you today representing the U.S. Consulate in Chennai. As we all know, we have gathered here today to mark a year since the Tsunami hit across Asia taking many lives with it. This is a sober occasion for us all to remember those who lost loved ones in this event. Today we must also remember that many people continue to struggle to rebuild their lives.

One year after the tsunami, the U.S. Government remains actively involved in supporting victims of the December 26 tsunami both here in India and other affected countries. Here, programs supported by USAID continue to provide humane and dignified temporary shelter to families who lost their homes. We remain focused on returning wage earners to their livelihoods or developing new livelihoods. An important part of our work has been focused on helping children and youth recover through educational and recreational programs. USAID support is also targeted at improving disaster preparedness in six coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. Finally, a program linking the cities of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam with U.S. cities in the state of Florida – a state prone to disasters - has also been launched.

Through USAID, the U.S. Government has worked continuously over the past year in Tamil Nadu with a network of local NGO partners and in close cooperation with local government officials and communities to address rehabilitation needs.

Our support has progressed through two phases – (1) relief and (2) transition and recovery. Our on-the-ground assessment and consultations with GOI officials and NGOs indicated that our resources could be best used and leveraged by making temporary shelters as habitable as possible and helping communities regain lost livelihoods and their sense of well being.

During the immediate Relief Phase we disbursed approximately $4 million using NGOs networks and focused on water and sanitation in temporary shelters, solid waste management, education and psycho-social support and restoring livelihoods.

During the Transition and Recovery Phase we provided an additional $14 million in funding to address needs related to the extended time-frame of the temporary shelter communities. We have continued work with NGO partners focusing on water and sanitation, preparing shelters for the hot summer and the Northeast Monsoon working to protect women and children.

While we have gathered today to remember those who have suffered we must also look to a future in which communities are better prepared to handle emergencies such as the tsunami. Here in Tamil Nadu the support by USAID is also focused on improving disaster preparedness and on sharing our own experience with disasters in the cities of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.

The U.S. will continue its work in Tamil Nadu with our NGO partners and in close coordination with local governments. Through USAID we have committed $18,000,000 to this effort and we will be working with our partners here until September 2007.