By Jaya Arunachalam
Once again, Working Women’s Forum (India) and Indian Cooperative Network for Women acted swiftly by entering the affected areas of Chennai and Kanchipuram caused by floods. The staff and field workers being familiar with the locations visited the affected areas to meet the members directly to assess the damage caused and to know their immediate requirements.The rain had caused severe damage to the living/working conditions of the working poor particularly their basic entrepreneurial activities that provides them livelihood. To offer details, most of the members lost their valuables, livestock, business equipment, children’s books and important documents and houses.
Children have not been able to attend schools for many days as most of the schools were relief centers for the flood affected victims. Working Women’s Forum (India)/Indian Cooperative Network for Women did not leave them alone but stood with them in solidarity in this difficult situation. The staff also offered them emotional support to restart their lives/activities. Later, WWF/ICNW focused on action needed for the deserved/needy members who had lost everything.
At the outset, WWF/ICNW also addressed the grievances of affected members with the help of the concerned authorities like district collector to enable them to get facilities for construction of houses and compensation for the lost valuables such as cows, goats, poultries, weaving equipment, etc.
Special mention needs to be made of other branches of WWF/ICNW as well especially Andhra Pradesh branches for
mobilizing the relief materials on their own.
On December 19, 2015 the President, WWF accompanied by the ICNW CEO,headquartered in Chennai visited Kancheepuram to assess the damage caused by rain to the members. The president witnessed the miserable conditions of women and spoke to them about the earlier disasters. While walking along the Palar River, President, WWF was sad to see that despite severe damages caused properties and valuables the rivers could not retain surplus water as they were neither desilted nor their bunds strengthened.
She also distributed relief aid to the affected members. The president assured them that WWF/ICNW will stand by them until they overcome the crisis.
