|
U.S. Inaugurates Sanitation Facilities
for Tsunami Victims in Tamil Nadu
September 05, 2006
CHINNAKUPPAM (Tamil Nadu) – U.S. Consul
General David T. Hopper today inaugurated community
sanitation systems here to help victims of the
December 2004 Tsunami.
Twenty months
after the disaster, the U.S. Government remains
actively involved in supporting the tsunami victims
in India and other countries. U.S. support in India,
totaling $18 million, is directed through the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID) and a
network of local partners. Support has been focused
on providing water and sanitation, restoring
livelihoods and providing youth with educational and
recreational opportunities.
At the
inauguration in Chinnakuppam Mr. Hopper said: “Today
we are here to mark the opening of community
sanitation systems. We believe that these positive
contributions will improve the quality of life of
those affected by the tsunami.” Mr. Ranvir Prasad,
District Collector of Thiruvallur and Dr. Nalini
Keshavraj, Program Manager, TamilNadu Tsunami
Resource Center attended the event.
Improving community sanitation of those affected
by the tsunami has been a key element of USAID’s
Tsunami Recovery Program. The support to
Chinnakuppam is just one example of direct
assistance reaching those affected. One of USAID’s
partners, ExNoRa International, has constructed 121
individual household toilets at Chinnakuppam,
Periyakuppam, Periyakasikoilkuppam and Injambakkam.
Participating households are also making financial
contributions to the projects.
A waste water treatment system, with a capacity
of 1,000 liters per day, has also been installed.
The system treats waste water collected from toilets
in Chinnakuppam and nearby villages and makes it
suitable for discharge. The system is low-cost, uses
appropriate technology and is easy for the community
to maintain.
Support has also been provided for developing
community waste management programs. Approximately
400 households in Chinnakuppam and Periyakuppam
villages have received waste bins. Sanitary workers
have begun collecting household waste and have set
up systems for composting and recycling.
The waste and sanitation program has brought
social change in the tsunami affected villages. It
has improved personal hygiene habits and sanitation,
necessary for public health. Active participation by
local communities has ensured that residents have a
sense of ownership and will maintain the
infrastructure improvements over time.
Related Link: Read full text of the speech
 |
