SEVAI RESPONSE TO TSUNAMIS DISASTER   Introduction Since 1993, we have been present in Karaikal and Nagappattinam district to implement housing construction, vocational trainings and sanitation/hygiene awareness programmes in more than eighty villages. Among those, 63 have been seriously affected by the terrible tsunamis on December 26th and more than 2500 people have lost their lives. In coastal Tamil Nadu, the number of deaths has increased up to 13 000 and around 100 000 people have been left homeless. We have reacted as fast and as efficiently as possible according to our resources and capacities. We are mainly focusing on provision of food and water, relief packages and temporary shelters. We are also making surveys in affected villages to analyse the real needs of the people in order to operate in the most efficient manner. Within a long term and self-sustained perspective we also plan to rehabilitate affected people and to restore their livelihood (permanent housing construction, income generation programmes, vocational trainings…).   Our specific activities since Tsunami Disaster   1. Feeding SEVAI has opened three feeding centres in this area. Around 5000 victims per day have been fed since December 26th. Milk for the children and safe drinking water for all have also been provided.   2. Supply of basic goods – relief packages Relief packages contain various items in order to support the families in a middle-term perspective; food (rice, cereals, dhal, milk, etc.), vessel (cooking pot, plates, containers, etc.), clothes (sarees, dhotis, chapals, bed sheets), cleaning material (soap, bucket, mug, etc.), and other accessories (mats, firewood oven, lamps, etc.). Community relief services such as water tank, latrines, and counselling education centres have also been provided.   3. Temporary shelters For the moment, more than 750 shelters have been built in three different villages.   4. Plan for rehabilitation within a long-term perspective The most important for the victims in the future weeks and months will be to restore their livelihood. The support we can offer to them is mainly based on vocational trainings, permanent housing construction, sanitation and awareness programmes and income generation activities.   Financial support for Sevai rehabilitation activities will be very appreciated.   For any further information on our activities, actions, future plans or anything else, please contact K.Govindaraju at the following address: try_sevai@sancharnet.in or karai_sevai@sancharnet.in   Our offices in Karaikal and Karuvi: SEVAI No.3, Bharathiyar Street Poovam, Karaikal – 609609 Pondicherry UT Ph : 04368 – 265566 SEVAI Poompuhar Entrance Gate, Karuvi, Thalachankadu (Po.) Taragambadi (T.K) Nagappattinam – 609107 (T.N.) Ph : 954364 – 266767