S E Asia Disaster: Appeal for Madras Diocese

The Diocese of Carlisle is partnered with the Diocese of Madras, centred on Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu in S India.

We have been in touch with them to express our concern and solidarity, to assure them of our prayers, and to ask what we can do to help. As a result the Bishop of Carlisle has set up an appeal to all the Churches in the Diocese of Carlisle on Sundays 2nd, 9th and 16th January.


Letter from the Bishop of Carlisle to all Churches in Carlisle Diocese:

The Bishop of Carlisle
The Right Reverend Graham Dow
Rose Castle, Dalston, Carlisle CA5 7BZ
01697476274 Fax 01697476550 bishop.carlisle@carlislediocese.org.uk

29th December 2004


Dear friends
Madras and South-East Asia Carlisle Diocesan Appeal
for the victims of the tidal wave disaster

We have been deeply moved by the terrible images of the disaster in many countries of South-East
Asia. The East coast of India has been badly affected and the coast of our partner diocese of Madras
has been among the worst hit. Thousands have died and many thousands more have lost everything. A huge number of families have been traumatically affected.

I have been in personal touch with Dr. Cornelius, who attended our recent clergy conference, and with the Bishop of Madras. The Bishop has formed an emergency committee to plan relief work between the churches and social services. He has sent me a fax in which he writes that the main needs are food and drinking water) clothing, medical assistance and counselling.

The churches have set up refugee camps in the worst hit areas. In Chengalpet, 2700 people are being fed and housed in the church and school halls. (This is the parish where Danny is the priest; he
attended our clergy conference and was here In Carlisle diocese for 3 months). Church buildings are
being used in other places such as Cuddalore and Pondicherry, where 2000 people are homeless.

Clearly the need for aid will continue for some time. I am writing to ask each church in the
Carlisle diocese, on two consecutive Sundays, to hold collections at all the services. I have
chosen two Sundays since not all our churches have services every Sunday and because at this time
of year people are often away visiting relatives. I therefore ask if either on January 2nd and 9th or January 9th and 16th you would hold collections at all your services for this Appeal.

The Bishop of Madras has estimated that they are seeking to help 3,500 families (14,700 persons). He estimates needs as 2000 Rupees per family, making a total of 7 million Rupees or about £100,000. The Church of South India Synod has already sent Rs. 500,000.

When you have made your parish collection, I invite you either to send it to Church House (payable
Carlisle DBF) for the Madras Diocese or to send it to another Relief Agency for use elsewhere. But
please use the form below to notify Church House so that we know how much in total the Appeal has raised. Please feel free to copy this letter to Churchwardens or parish treasurers. I will endeavour to keep parishes informed as the situation develops.

I wish you a Happy New Year.
May God's Kingdom go forward in all his world. Yours sincerely,


To Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance (Madras and South-East Asia Appeal) :
Church House, West Walls, Carlisle CA3 8UE.

I enclose cheque for £_______ or We have sent a collection to __________(Relief agency) of £_______

Signed Date






Letter from the Bishop in Madras to the Bishop of Carlisle:


CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA - DIOCESE OF MADRAS
226, Cathedral Road, Post Box. No. 4914, Chennai - 600 086, South India.
The Rt Rev Dr Devasahayam Bishop in Madras

Office : 91 - 44 - 2811 3929
2811 3933
2811 7629
Residence: 91 - 44 - 2811 5804
Fax 2811 0608

28.12.2004

The Rt. Rev. Graham Dow Bishop of Carlisle Diocese
Rose Castle Dalston


Dear Friends,

We are thankful to you for your kind concern, enquiry and expression of solidarity at the hour of crisis which have been consoling and encouraging.

We are all aware of the attack of the tremor and tidal wave in the entire South East Asia and the amount of damage caused to the human lives and properties. It is indeed a very sad moment for all of us in this region. We share our grief to a 1 the affected people in the poor Asian region. We also note that it is mostly poor fisher-folk who have been badly affected everywhere.

In the State of Tamil Nadu the damage to human lives, livestock, houses, and other properties in the entire coastal region has been enormous. While the continuous, sad reports coming from different parts of Tamil Nadu are shaking us, the efforts are taken by the Government Agencies, NGOs, and Philanthropists, in rendering the immediate relief measures are somewhat consoling our thoughts.

An emergency meeting was called by me in Chennai on 27.12.2004 at the Diocesan Office of the CSI Madras Diocese, to take stock of the present situation and subsequently plan out relief and rehabilitation measures. Representatives from various Churches from the affected areas like Pazhaverkadu (Pulicat), Ponneri, Tondiarpet, Ennore, Kasimedu, Foreshore Estate, Adyar, Kalpakkam, Sadras, Marakkanam,
Cuddalore, Pondicherry, Chengalpet etc, attended the meeting. There were also representatives from Madras Social Service Society (MSSS), Madras Christian Council for Social Serv1ce (MCCSS), CSI Rainy Hospital, Arul Kadal, Synod Board of Diaconal Ministry and Community Service Centre.

After consolidating the details it was decided to form a core Committee consisting of nine members and four Sub-Committees to undertake relief and rehabilitation measures in the following four areas.

1 Pazhaverkadu.
2 Foreshore Estate
3 Chengalpet
4 Pondicherry and Cuddalore

The following activities of relief are taken up to cater to the needs of the people.

1 Distribution of food and potable water
2 Clothing to women, children men, and old people
3 Medical assistance and
4 Counselling
The details of the services rendered by the Sub-Committees are given below :

1) Refugee Camp at Chengalpet
About 2700 people are put up in CSI St. Columbas Higher Secondary School, CSI St. Andrew's Church and St. Mary's School. A team of doctors from the CSI Hospital, Kancheepuram and Volunteers for
NCC NSS are assisting the Sub Committee Members to carry out the relief work. I have visited the above said Camps personally and seen the sufferings. Besides, Rt. Rev. Nidhi Nathan, Catholic Bishop of Chengalput, Government Officials visited these and extended all the possible help from their end.

2) Refugee Camp at Pondicherry and Cuddalore
It is reported that more than 200 people have lost the1r lives in these Coastal areas and approximately 2000 people have been stranded homeless. These people have been accommodated temporarily at CSI St. John’s Church and other Government buildings. The relief measures like supply of food, water, clothing, (sarees, bed sheets, and children outfits) medical help and counselling were provided.

3) Refugee Camp at Santhome
About 5000 people belonging to Nochikuppam, Pattinapakkam, Doomingkuppam, Srinivasapuram and Foreshore Estate were given refuge at the local churches and schools. The medical team of CSI Kalyani
Hospital and St. Isabel are rendering their services. As said above, these people are prov1ded food and their basic needs are met. The damage reported in this region is alarming and more devastating. The affected people do not venture to go back to their old places as they expect the calamity again.

4) Refugee Camp at Pulicat
About 13 villages situated around this coastal area were terribly affected and the property of the people including their houses were washed off. It is reported that more than 50 people died and equal amount are missing. About 5000 people are accommodated in Public places like Schools and Churches. Clothing, medical care and counselling are provided.

It is proposed eventually that the Sub Committee and Core Committees will meet frequently and take stock of the situation and plan for the long term rehabilitation. The budget for rehabilitation work will be worked out shortly. They have also planned to collaborate with other NGOs, Government Agencies and Donor Agencies in the rehabilitation process.


Assistance Required for Relief Work

Place No of People affected
Chengalpet 2700
Cuddalore & Pondiceherry 2000
Santhome 5000
Pulicat 5000

Total 14700

3500 families x Rs2000/- per family = Rs70,00,000

Rs2000/- will cover expenses for food, bed sheets, mats, dresses, medicines and utensils.

CASA has pledged its solidarity with an initial contribution of Rs200,000/-. The Church of South India Synod has sent a cheque for Rs500,000/-. We are thankful for their support.



Any individual, organisation or agencies interested in contributing donations in cash or kind are requested to contact the following address:
The Bishop in Madras
CSI Diocese of Madras
226,Cathedral Road
Chennai 600 086

Your contributions may be sent to :
The Hon. Treasurer,
Madras Diocese
CSITA Madras Diocesan
Foreign Exchange R.egulation Act
Account No. 24550
Indian Overseas Bank
5, Arunachalam Street
Chintadripet
Chennai 600 002
SWIFT CODE IOB A I N BB 001

We shall keep you posted of the developments regarding rehabilitation work as soon as the people return to their villages.

Soliciting your prayers and support.


V. DEVASAHAYAM
Bishop in Madras

Copy to a Hon. Treasurer, Diocese of Madras


For more information contact the Convenor of the Madras Group in the Diocese of Carlisle
Jim Hyslop
St John's Vicarage
Manor Rd
Carlisle CA2 4LH
01228 523380
jim.hyslop@talk21.com