U.S. Inaugurates Sanitation Facilities for Tsunami Victims in Tamil Nadu

CHINNAKUPPAM (Tamil Nadu) | September 05, 2006

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

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