Disaster Management

One of the main objectives of Red Cross is to protect life and provide immediate relief to the extent possible to the victims of natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, epidemics, famine, drought, earthquakes, fire accidents etc.

For immediate disaster preparedness and response, efforts are being made to train the people from local community, as they will be in a better position to save lives and provide immediate relief as early as possible.

Disaster Management is a collective term encompassing all aspects of planning and responding to disasters including both pre and post disaster activities. Orientation on Disaster Management Training Programme has been imparting to YRC Volunteers/JRC Volunteers in Colleges and Schools respectively. Red Cross Volunteers from the Districts have also been trained in Disaster Management Programme.

During December 2017 it was a major floods in Chennai city in which many places in the city and the neighboring areas were inundated. Besides housing flats were submerged up to first floor and the people were stranded and needs rescue and rehabilitation. Immediately the entire team of Disaster Management officials/Red Cross Volunteers in Chennai city have rendered their effective and wonderful services during the floods. The entire team work was appreciated both by Government and Public.

The YRC unit of Karbagam Vinayaga College of Nursing in Pudukottai conducted First Aid Training on 21.04.2023. 80 Nursing Students were trained.
The YRC unit of JKKM College of Nursing in Erodeconducted the First Aid Training from 25.04.2023 & 26.04.2023. 60 nos of Nursing Students were trained.
Anna Institute of Management organized three days disaster management programme for Govt. Officials at Collectorate, Nagapattinam from 17.07.2023 to 20.07.2023. Mr. Benjamin, FA/DM Field Co-ordinator was the resource person and conducted the session of First Aid, rescue method and waterborne diseases during the disaster situation.
The Youth Red Cross Unit of Bannariamman Technology College, Erode District conducted One day Disaster Management training for YRC volunteers on 18.07.2023.
Anna Institute of Management organized three days Disaster Management Programme for Govt. Officials at Collectorate, Thiruvarur on 19.07.2023 to 21.07.2023. Mr. Benjamin, FA/DM Field Co-ordinator sessions, First Aid, rescue method and waterborne diseases during the disaster situation.
The Youth Red Cross Unit of Bishop Heber college, Trichy District conducted One day Disaster Management training for YRC volunteers on 27.07.2023.
The Youth Red Cross Unit of Sri Ramakrishna Arts and Science College, Coimbatore District conducted one day Disaster Management training for YRC volunteers on 17.08.2023.
Anna Institute of Management organized Three days Disaster Management Programme for Govt. Officials at Collectorate, Tirunelveli on 19.08.2023 to 21.08.2023& from 21.08.2023 to 23.08.2023 at Tuticorin.

Disaster preparedness Meeting was held on 04.09.2023 at Collectorate Tiruvarur. In this meeting Fire Services, Police Dept and government officials, Tiruvarur District participated.
Anna Institute of Management organized Three days Disaster Management Programme for Govt. Officials at Collectorate, Thanjavur from 11.09.2023 to 13.09.2023.
First Aid Awareness Training to Driving Learners at RTO Training Campus, Mayiladuthurai on 27.09.2023.
Anna Institute of Management organized Three days Disaster Management Programme for Govt. Officials at Collectorate, Tiruchirapalli from 13.09.2023 to 15.09.2023.

During the Month of March 2023, based on the requestreceived from Nine IRCS-District Branches and One IRCS-Sub District Branch, we have dispatched 300 Nos. Hygiene Kits to each districts and 204 Hygiene Kits were distributed to Arasu sevaillam (Home) Tambaram under the Chairmanship of Dr. Justice M. Jaichandren, Ad-hoc Committee, IRCS – TNB.

The Relief materials Despatched / issued to Chennai, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Aminjikarai Sub-District Branch, Mylapore Sub-Branch, S Samson Daniel Vasantham Foundation, S. Brinda Devi, Pallikarani, Tahsildar – Tondiarpet, Government Boys Hostel, Tahsildar, Egmore, Osankulam, Chetpet, Tamilnadu Dr. Ambedkar Development Education Trust, Puliyanthope – Imayavarman and Vysarpadi – Syed Abu Backer – Fishermen community were benefitted.

The District Collector & District President IRCS Chengalpattu District received the Relief Materials from Indian Red Cross Society, Tamil Nadu Branch and distributed the materials to the flood affected people with coordination of District Administration on 9th, 10th and 11th December 2023 at Medavakkam, padur Kelambakkam areas

Indian Red Cross Society, Cuddalore District Branch contributed Michaung Cyclone Relief Materials like 1000 nos of Bed sheets worth about Rs.20,000/- to District Collector, Indian Red Cross Society, Kanyakumari District Branch dated: 18.12.2023.

Report on Cyclone Relief work in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari District by Indian Red Cross Society, Tamilnadu Branch, Egmore, Chennai-8, Dindigul District Branch. Due to unprecedented rain at Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts on 02.02.2023, in response to the heavy rain, the Indian Red Cross Society, Tamilnadu Branch, Egmore, Chennai-8-Dindigul District Branch have collected relief materials from donors and distributed to 400 families. The details of relief materials are mentioned below:-

The relief materials were flag off by the District Collector Tmt. Ponkodi, IAS, Dindigul District in the presence of Thiru. N. M. Kaja Mydin, Vice – Chairman, Thiru. Shak Dawood, Treasurer, Tmt. Susila Mary, Chief Education Officer, Thiru. Nasruddin, EC Member, Thiru. Rasaiga & Thiru. Jayaselan were participated.

Team of Volunteers:-

1. M.A. Syed Abudhakir, Secretary, IRCS
2. G. Rameshkumar, EC, IRCS
3. N. Raja, EC, IRCS
4. S. Ravichandran, EC, IRCS
5. S. James Vallunathan, EC, IRCS
6. A. Ramamurthy, JRC Counsellor,
7. M. Raja Nesakumar, EC, JRC
8. S. John Boses, EC, JRC
9. G. Balamurugan, JRC Counsellor

Indian Red Cross Society, Thanjavur District Branch deputed a team of 15 Trained Volunteers to Tirunelveli District on 19thDecember 2023 for rescue operations in the Flood affected Southern Districts.On the same night, the team met the District Officials and identified the areas most affected by the floods in Tirunelveli City and extended necessary assistance for the families affected by the floods along with Indian Red Cross Society, Tirunelveli District Branch.On the next day, 20thDecember 2023, the team rushed to Srivaikuntam taluk, Thoothukudi District based on the request from the PA (PD), Thoothukudi District. The team went to Sivakalai Village andsplited into two groups. One group with the help of a fisherman boat rescued around 250 people from Avarangadu, Keela Mangala Kurichi, Mela Mangala Kurichi, AthanPalam Villagesand moved to Sivakalai Government Shelter. The other group, with the help NDRF Boat rescued 200 people from Sivakalai, Kottaikadu,Undiyalur Villages andmoved to PerungulamGovernment Shelter.The rescued people includes Senior Citizens, Diseased, Disabled, Pregnant Women& Infants. On 21stDecember 2023, the team went to Srivaikuntam taluk again along with the RDOfor distribution of food items to the people in Rajapathi village. The team then went to Eral the most affected Village, where the broken bridge had completely cut off the communication from the District Administration. The team members crossed the bridge using temporary ladders and provided essential food items to the Tahsildar deputed for that area. On the way back, the team involved in cleaning blocked drain pipe at Kurungani, allowing the water to reach the other bank. The team then rescued vehicles and people, who were stranded in water from SouthThiruparai to Kemedapath. This was done in coordination with the former Thanjavur District Collector Mr. Dinesh Ponraj Oliver IAS.,camping at Thoothukudi.

On 22ndDecember 2023, the team camped at the Srivaikuntam taluk office and involved in packing Essential kits. The Essential Kits were then distributed to the areas of Azhwar Thirunagari, Arunthathiyar Colony, Kaniyan Colony and Azhwar Thoppu Colony under the guidance of Mr. T. Thiyagarajan,District Revenue Officer, Thanjavur camping at Thoothukudi.On the last day, 23rdDecember 2023, the team received the relief materials from Thanjavur District and distributed the Dry Ration Kit to the people of Navalakshmipuram and the surrounding areas throughout the Day under the guidance of Mr. T. Thiyagarajan, District Revenue Officer, Thanjavur camping at Thoothukudi.

The Team returned to Thanjavur on 24thDecember 2023 after 5 day rescue & relief activities. Mr. Deepak Jacob, IAS, District Collector, Thanjavur met the above volunteers on 26thDecember 2023 and greeted them for their valuable Services rendered in the Flood affected Areas

Sothern Districts Flood Rescue Team

In view of Michaung Cyclone in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli & Tuticorin under the guidance of District Collector and President of IRCS, Trichy District Branch, the Red Cross & Indra Ganesan Education Institution jointly organized and collected relief materials and handed over to the District Collector by Thiru. G. Rajasekaran, Chairman, IRCS, Trichy District Branch.

The details are mentioned below:-

The total cost of relief materials for Rs.30,10,220/- (Rupees Thirty lakhs ten thousand two hundred and twenty only).

Dr. P. Indirarajan, Chairman, IRCS, Thiruvannamalai District Branch sponsored Rs.35,000/- to the following Districts.

20.12.2023 (Relief materials Distribution)

Due to heavy rain in Kanyakumari District, many houses were damaged and water stagnated most of the low lying areas and lot of people suffered without food and accommodation.

On 20.12.2023, Indian Red Cross Society, Dindigul District Branch team visited IRCS Kanyakumari District and also visited Mahadanapuram near Kanyakumari and provided 150 sets of relief materials to flood affected victims.

Myself guide the team and support during relief activities.