Indian Ocean Tsunami Anniversary: 'Tsunami Taught Administrative As Well As Lessons For Life'

According to him, risk reduction is the goal in the long run while early warning systems are to be in place. Recalling Tamil Nadu’s experience in managing the situation, Radhakrishnan said: “Firstly the political support for fast decision-making was there.” A series of Government Orders were issued that gave officials at the ground level flexibility and financial authority to take decisions fast.”Realising the importance of NGOs in the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, another government order was issued setting out the template on how the NGOs and the government could work together.

“For fast decision-making, a mini-collectorate model was adopted. Instead of one collector for a district, there were 11 self-contained teams vested with financial powers to oversee relief operations in several villages,” Radhakrishnan said. Within couple of days of the disaster, collectors were given 1 crore in cash to spend on immediate relief, food, medicine, retrieval and disposal of bodies.

“Official teams pitched their tents even in remote places so as to reach the unreached,” Radhakrishnan said. NGOs were also involved in the rehabilitation activities based on their expertise. With the disaster leaving a large number of children dead and many losing their spouses, the government allowed surgery to reverse birth control operations, which helped many couples to have a child again.

Radhakrishnan said the government also opened an orphanage for children who had lost both or either one of their parents. “There were over 100 children at the Annai Sathya Government Orphanage. Over the years the numbers have come down as the children turned adults,” he said.

READ MORE: Tamil Nadu Pays Homage To 2004 Tsunami Victims

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