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Coordinated relief efforts – Order of the day; no tall order

Fulfilling their immediate needs is our primary task today. Next, and more important, is the responsibility to put in place structures to resettle them with the wherewithal to begin life again.

We do see an overwhelming yearning and urgency in the midst of our people, both here and abroad, to participate in the relief and reconstruction efforts. This potential, an essential element in times of disaster, must be recognised and utilised in a planned and coordinated manner.

We also realise the truth that such overwhelming intent of individuals or groups, if allowed to be implemented in the area of humanitarian delivery by individuals and groups themselves according to ‘their’ preference, would add to the confusion and tend to confound the situation. We are dealing with a tragedy and its aftermath of a people who have been subject to indignity and humiliation for decades together. Indignity and humiliation, are scenes that worry one seeing relief convoys reaching welfare centres for displaced all over the world, in the midst of a large number of people, all clamouring to get a loaf and ultimately the ‘fittest’ alone being served. This becomes inevitable in the absence of a coordinated mechanism for effective and orderly delivery and hence this call for coordination.

This type of haphazard humanitarian delivery results in inequitable distribution within persons in one centre or among the various locations. One group or centre may receive more than what is required and other less or not at all. As an immediate response, such arrangements are understandable. The urgency to help, dictates such actions. Fair enough. But we are now past ten days and therefore have no excuse to allow such disorderly situation continue any more.

Relief and rehabilitation measures must now be systematically planned, coordinated and monitored for equity, efficacy and accountability. Items received from all agencies need to be first acknowledged, accounted and despatched to the welfare centres based on data collected.

The LTTE has already put in place an appropriate mechanism in the form of a steering committee and task forces comprising the Government Agents of the Districts, INGO’s, NGO’s and Civilian Based Organisations, in areas administered by it. Agencies volunteering to contribute, are being advised to make use of this mechanism. Reports and commendations of visiting Country Heads of INGO’s and UN agencies are indicators to the success of this modality. Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) is taking a lead role with its experienced backup teams and volunteers, who have managed several such situations in the past, during the height of war.

Experience and wisdom therefore dictates that our brethren here and overseas who are competing with one another in collecting relief aid, should channel it through the well structured mechanism already available and help to maximise efficiency and minimise frustration that may tend to set in if efforts are not coordinated. All those who are anxious to help the unfortunate displaced, should take cognisance of this ground reality and seek recourse to this mechanism.

Editorial - Uthayan Tamil Daily

05 January 2005

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