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India
AMURT was amongst the first NGOs (non-government organizations) to arrive
at the scene of the devastation caused by the merciless cyclone that hit
Orissa in eastern India on October 29. A team of 65 members and 300
volunteers are responded to the needs of the cyclone survivors throughout
the affected areas.
The day after the cyclone hit, AMURT members were already distributing dry
food (beaten rice, biscuits and milk powder) and basic relief materials to
cyclone survivors in Ganja, Gajapati and Balasore districts. Our teams set
up two feeding centers that provided hot meals to 2,000 people every day.
Burning of Dead Bodies: Priority Number One.
Many of our team members focused on the important task of
cremating dead bodies and burning animal carcasses in the worst-affected
areas of Jagatsingpur and Cuttack districts. This gruesome task was a top
priority to prevent epidemics of cholera and gastro-enteritis. Our
members waded into polluted waters, hold their breath to avoid the
unbearable stench, and drag the bodies back to dry land for burning. They
have burned 1859 bodies and disposed of 1232 carcasses
AMURTEL, the women's branch of AMURT, ran seven feeding centers at
Bra and Kantapada in Jaipur district and at Tangi-Choudwar in Cuttack
district. They provided hot meals for 5000 cyclone-survivors every
day.
In addition, AMURT set up a joint medical facility with Orissa
Disaster Mitigation Mission in Jagatsingpur district.
The Poor Get Poorer
The extent of the damage caused by the cyclone is still unknown. Over
10,000 have died, and many bodies were only discovered once the floodwaters
receded. Over five million people have been made homeless. And 175,000
cattle have been killed. At least 2,000 villages have been washed away.
Orissa is one of the poorest states in India. Two-thirds of its rural
population live in abject poverty. It has India's highest infant mortality
rate and the lowest number of doctors per capita. Many of those affected
by the cyclone are the poorest inhabitants of the state, so their hard
lives have been made all the more difficult. They deserve our help.
AMURT has been responding to natural and man-made calamities in India
since 1965, and has developed a reputation for its prompt and
cost-effective assistance. We have disaster response teams throughout the
country.
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| AMURT
in the News |
Statesman
(Bhubaneshvar 25th Nov ’99)
‘Greatest service’ to the
nameless dead
Bhuvaneshvar, Nov.24.
– They may have died unseen, their names may not have figured in the
Government’s death rolls, but the least that could be done by way of
last rites to their decomposed remains which surfaced as recently as three
days ago near Ersama and Kujang is being looked after by dedicated
volunteers.
Despite government claims that disposal of bodies and carcasses is by and
large complete, the work is far from over.
Four days ago, when this correspondent visited remote areas of Ersama and
Kujang, Army jawans were ferrying a group of AMURT volunteers. The
volunteers were being taken to dispose bodies which had surfaced at a
point about 20 minutes by boat from Ersama block headquarters.
These Margis were working in cyclone-hit Ganjam when they heard about
warnings of a super cyclone and came rushing in.
Nirmohananda and Nityalokeshananda said even three days ago they had
disposed carcasses and corpses around Ersama and Kujang. Till now we have
cremated 1,859 bodies and disposed of 1232 carcasses" they said.
These monks are also running a medical camp and have been treating
patients with symptoms of cholera and other gastro-aliments.
The Sunday Pioneer, (Delhi, 28th Nov
99)
Disposing of dead a big task
THE DEAD just refuse to go away.
Nearly a month has passed since the killer cyclone of October 29-30 struck
villages in coastal Orissa swiftly and sniffed out life there completely.
Most of the credit of disposing the dead goes to the Ananda Marga
Universal Relief Team (AMURT). Besides a couple of the voluntary
organisations, including Life Line, members of the AMURT with gloved hands
and covered faces have been working tirelessly in various blocks in
Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur Districts to cremate the dead.
Mahidevananda, a member of AMURT, said, "it was easier to find and
cremate bodies when we had arrived in Ersama on November 4. We were the
first ones to pay attention to cremation of bodies because there was an
epidemic scare."
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| Appreciation |
Office of the Chief
Minister, Orissa
"I
got this opportunity to appreciate the excellent work that Ananda Marga
Universal Relief Team (AMURT) a voluntary organization dedicated to the
service of humanity have done in Super Cyclone/Flood affected areas of
1999 with about 200 volunteers and 120 monks and nuns relentlessly. I know
they are the first to reach Paradeep for the relief operation and they
have done remarkable work in the field including disposal of dead bodies and carcasses, distribution of
food materials and clothes, giving medical aid and serving in medical aid
and sanitation work. AMURT (Orissa chapter) have been rendering service
and stood by the administration in cyclone and flood relief ever since
1966 till the present super cyclone.
I convey my sincere gratitude and thanks to the workers and volunteers of
the organization who worked tirelessly for this noble cause. The services
rendered by AMURT will be ever remembered by the people of Orissa."
(signed)
Giridhara
Gamang
Chief Minister, Orissa
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