Press release

ActionAid demands urgent action on tsunami housing after Chennai beach blaze . 

CHENNAI, February 6, 2007 : Another fire but this time it’s not because of a cylinder burst or an accident in the kitchen. This time victims feel it is a deliberate attempt to evict them after they refused to accept new homes inland.

Early Tuesday morning, two people were killed in Dooming Kuppam hamlet in Chennai and 625 families rendered homeless in a fire that residents describe as “bizarre”. Fifty year old Charlie and his 45 year old wife Victoria were burnt beyond recognition as they slept indoors, unlike the majority who sleep outside their shelters.

“I just got back from fishing and was about to sleep when I saw the fire in three different places in the hamlet. This is strange – if there was an accident then the source would be in one place. A few days ago lots of government officials had come to get signatures pertaining to relocation of houses and asking us to sign on papers stating that we agree to the relocation,” says John, a shocked resident.

“I could smell burning and I opened my eyes to discover a lot of smoke. I immediately thought of my children and picked them up and ran towards the road,” says 65 year old Jacob who has lived in the area for more than 30 years.

Dooming Kuppam, a stone’s throw from Chennai’s Marina Beach – the second longest in the world – is slated for ‘beautification’ as part of an urban renewal programme. Local people say that officials have been trying for a long time to move families living near the beach to new locations. In their eyes, the 2004 tsunami gave officials a helping hand:

“I am sure that there is some foul play involved here. This was no accident – someone set fire to our hamlet. Government officials come often to convince us to go to houses they have constructed far away but we want to stay here,” says Jacob.

Anti-poverty agency, ActionAid, has been working in Dooming Kuppam since the tsunami and is calling for urgent government action, not only to provide emergency relief for families displaced by the fire, but to do more to involve tsunami survivors in decisions over reconstruction.

Amar Jyoti Nayak , head of ActionAid’s tsunami response team in India says: “The need for permanent new homes close to the coast is clear. We have already seen women resorting to selling their kidneys after being relocated too far from the sea to earn a living.

“This tragic fire reveals that, rather than learning lessons, authorities are still attempting to push vulnerable survivors into unsuitable shelter: Why were the Dooming Kuppam residents still in temporary shelters? Because they refused to accept houses inland that would have forced them to give up their jobs and way of life.

“Tensions are high. Those who escaped the flames suspect foul play and are demanding an investigation. But whatever the causes, wider message is clear: Rehabilitation packages that fail to recognise the inextricable link between homes and livelihoods are not acceptable. People are demanding their right to adequate housing.

“ActionAid’s tsunami response team is on the scene helping women and children who have suffered most in the fire. Together with our partner organisations we are seeing what medical help is needed and assisting residents to express their demands.

“A fact finding committee comprising of ActionAid staff and partner organisations is looking into the issue,” adds Amar Jyoti Nayak .

Eight year old Pushpa has no idea where she will spend her nights. The 625 families are currently put up in marriage halls, schools and churches near the beach. Government has provided some food and medical supplies.

Fact file:

625 shelters have been burned to the ground.

50 of the 625 families are directly involved in fishing

100 families work in jobs related to fishing such as cleaning and selling fish

475 families work in the unorganized sector, some selling snacks and toys on the beach

ActionAid works with over 25 million people in more than 40 countries around the world to end poverty and injustice. www.actionaid.org

ENDS