1.5. Damage to Public Places

So, now immediately after the post-Tsunami when I visited the place, the important issues are the food security, you know how to get their rations because they are all after the relief stage when they settle somewhere, so their daily needs, this is where every ration shop is full of queues, every water facility because their infrastructure has been damaged because of the Tsunami, where do they get the drinking water you know and their livelihood is in threat.

After a tsunami, immediate needs become critical for the affected population. Food security is a pressing issue, meaning people need access to basic rations to survive. Since their existing infrastructure is damaged, many places are crowded with people trying to get food and water. The destruction of homes and facilities leaves many without the means to access necessary resources, highlighting the importance of immediate relief efforts.

Imagine a neighborhood that is hit by a massive flood. All grocery stores are damaged, and people rely on emergency services to distribute food. Long lines form at shelters as everyone waits for basic supplies, resembling the situation faced by people after the tsunami.

So, this is where in the fishermen set up, you have the boat owners, you have the fishermen, you have the traders and everything used to cooperate with each other and they use to work.

In fishing communities, collaboration among various stakeholders—like boat owners, fishermen, and traders—is essential for their livelihood. Each group relies on the others to function effectively, and post-disaster, this cooperation is often disrupted, further threatening their economic stability.

Think of a basketball team where each player has a specific role. If one player is absent due to injury (like after a disaster), the whole team struggles to perform. Similarly, when these community roles are disrupted after a disaster, the entire fishing community's ability to recover is hindered.

And the traditional houses you know and their indigenous knowledge how they oriented their houses, they are climatically efficient, how it suits their livelihood needs.

Traditional houses are often designed with local climate conditions in mind, showcasing indigenous knowledge that enhances their resilience. These homes may utilize specific materials and designs that are better suited to withstand weather-related challenges, which is crucial after disasters like tsunamis.

Consider how a tree bends with the wind rather than breaking—this adaptability is similar to traditional houses that incorporate local environmental knowledge to remain functional and efficient, even during adverse conditions.

But one has to look at it but if you look at the evidences if a correct information has been passed down to these places, it took 180 minutes which is about 3 hours to reach to get these waves into the mainstream, so if that information has been passed on the right way, we would have saved many lives, we would have at least saved some important assets.

The significant delay in communicating the tsunami's threat led to greater loss of life and property. If timely warnings had been properly disseminated, communities could have prepared or evacuated, significantly mitigating the disaster's impact.

Imagine a fire alarm going off in a building—if it takes too long for everyone to hear and respond, the situation can quickly become dangerous. Similarly, timely communication in disaster situations is essential for safety and survival.

There is always a relief stage, there is a rehabilitation stage which goes for a few months and the final is the reconstruction stage. There is a lot of actors working from the government, international NGOs, local NGOs and the community groups which work on these aspects.

Disaster recovery typically proceeds in three main stages: relief (providing immediate support), rehabilitation (restoring basic services and stability), and reconstruction (rebuilding infrastructure). Various organizations, including government bodies and NGOs, collaborate to navigate and manage these stages effectively.

Think of a school that was damaged by a storm. First, they receive immediate supplies (relief), then they hold classes in temporary setups while repairs are made (rehabilitation), and finally, they rebuild the school with sturdier materials (reconstruction). This step-by-step approach is essential for effective recovery.

So, I am talking about the transitional shelter. So what they did was an immediate requirement for them as where to live, many of them lost their houses, so many I was visiting Devanampattinam village, the longest fisherman village and you can see that I have taken a lot of questionnaires and a lot of semi-structured interviews. They got the tin sheets immediately and they have lived here for about two years.

Transitional shelters are temporary arrangements made for people who have lost their homes. In the immediate aftermath, many were provided with materials like tin sheets to construct makeshift homes. However, the quality and suitability of these shelters can affect their long-term recovery.

Think of a family that has to move into a temporary apartment while their house is being built. While this helps them have a roof overhead, they might face various challenges like space, privacy, and the feeling of instability, just as those living in transitional shelters do.

And after the following disaster, the basic infrastructure, the toilets, where do they go for the toilets, where do they get the water services.

After a disaster, the loss of basic infrastructure can have severe consequences on health and sanitation. Communities must quickly find solutions for essential services such as toilet facilities and clean water to prevent public health crises.

During a camping trip, imagine if the campsite ran out of water and bathrooms. The campers would have to quickly figure out how to stay safe and clean, similar to how communities must adapt and find solutions in the aftermath of a disaster.

And this is where the time where people have some professional minds come together, they started showing some choices, yes, we provide this option, now you can decide, we try to facilitate you know what they decide.

Community engagement is vital in recovery processes. When disaster recovery experts collaborate with affected individuals, they can offer them various options and involve them in decision-making, fostering a sense of agency and ownership over their recovery.

It’s like planning a family vacation together—rather than one person making all the decisions, asking everyone for their input on activities makes everyone feel more invested and excited about the trip, which mirrors the community’s role in the recovery process.

So, different process which starts actually following the transition stage but the most important challenge is not only about it should not be narrowed them only at the built form but one has to look at how this transition stage has to gradually go into the permanent stage.

Transitioning from temporary solutions to permanent housing is complex. The focus should not solely be on constructing buildings but on ensuring that the community can thrive by addressing overarching issues like education, health facilities, and sustainable livelihoods.

Consider how a student moves from elementary school to middle school. They need more than just a classroom; they require support in their learning and personal development—similarly, communities need comprehensive support during their long-term recovery.

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