Pune Update: 11th January - THE WEEK GONE BY

MAITRI'S EFFORTS IN RELIEF AND REHABILITATION-



1] MAITRI's First batch of volunteers returns:



The first batch of 5 volunteers, led by Shirish Joshi returned to Pune on the 4th Jan . They delivered 1 ton of rice to the 'Women's Collective'which has presence in all but 14 districts of Tamil Nadu.



The team visited many of the villages in Kanchipuram district where the Collective has been working with the help of many volunteers. The Collective is known to these villagers and has a good relationship with them. They completed the survey of all 29 villages that have been affected in the district and are in the process of planning their rehabilitation strategies. The Collective has actively been involved in reaching relief material to these villages.



Based on the positive feedback from this team about the Collective, MAITRI has decided to work in coordination with the Women's Collective for the rehabilitation of a small village: Pudhupattinam – New Nemili.



They will be running the relief camp there for the next 1-2 months, and helping the people in their rehabilitation, depending on the availability of funds. Shirish Joshi has agreed to set up camp there and is set to leave on 11th January, 2005



2] TRAINING of Emergency Response Volunteers:



An impromptu training of volunteers from MAITRI was organised on 1st January, 2005. It was conducted by Ajeet Oak, a civil engineer and an experienced emergency response person. Ajeet is also a member of RedR International - the Registered Engineers for Disaster Response. Ajeet quickly went through the drinking water and environmental sanitation issues that emerge out of any emergency. This training helped to build the perspective and is proving to be useful for MAITRI volunteers in their work.



3] RICE collection:



The rice collection drive received a good response. Students, housewives, senior citizens, college students, industries and various office staff participated in this drive. Major among these were the L & T JohnDeere, Tata Motors, students of Dastur School and visitors at the Datta Temple near Kamla Nehru Park. Many more names of individuals and groups that form a part of this list will be personally acknowledged by Maitri for their involvement in this drive.



Nearly 6 tons of rice has been collected along with blankets and sheets. The other essentials collected include bottled water, milk powder and medicines collected by the students. This material will be despatched by truck on Wednesday, 12th January directly to location where MAITRI is setting up relief camp.



4] TWO batches of volunteers leave:



On 7th January, a team of 4 doctors and two counsellors left for Chennai. They have started an OPD in the affected areas of Kalpakkam and Kanchipuram districts. While reaching out to a large number of patients, they have reported cough and cold among children, and the spread of malaria and diarrhea in a couple of villages.



Further batches of volunteers are being planned and would be deployed once the relief camp in New Nemili is set up.



Maitri is also considering sending volunteers to Sri Lanka in early February. They will work under Dr. Chandana Jayaratne of the Rotary Club in Colombo.



5] FUNDS Collected:



MAITRI and the Nilubhau Limaye Foundation have together collected Rs. 9.5 lakh for the Tsunami Relief work. These funds will mainly be utilised for setting up temporary shelters for the people of New Nemili and towards transportation of materials.



MAITRI is looking forward to further contributions so as to meet its relief and rehabilitation plans in the next 2 months. Cheques or demand drafts in favour of “MAITRI” may be sent to ‘Kalyan’,32, Natraj Society, Karvenagar, PUNE 411 052.



Contributions can also be handed over to Maitri's volunteers at their temporary office near Kamla Nehru Park, off Bhandarkar Road, Pune (diagonally opp. S.M.Joshi Hospital)between 1800 hrs and 2000 hrs.every day.



Their contacts are:

vinitat@vsnl.com or jayuanil@vsnl.net

Vinita: 094225 21702 or Jayashree 098231 38888



MAITRI is a registered trust and has mandate to mobilize funds in such emergencies. MAITRI has substantial experience in Bhuj Earthquake Relief and in Melghat towards saving lives of newborns over last 8 years.



Request for any further information on relief efforts in Pune may be made to Vijaya at vmoorthy@rediffmail.com