AID deployed two of its staff Mr. Antony and Mr.Sundar to assess the immediate requirements for relief to the survivors and their community in Chennai. Chennai is in Northern part of Tamilnadu in the Bay of Bengal in the Coromandal Eastern Coast. They visited Foreshore Estate (Pattinapakkam), Santhome, Domming Kuppam and Srinivsapurm and submitted a report to us. The reported that about 3000 families lost their huts, properties, houses, belongings, savings and all their assets. They were accommodated in Government High School in Pattinapakkam. Since the school had insufficient space, many families were stranded in the Santhome Highway road, Dhyana Asharm and Lazarus Church Road.
They reported that women and children were hit more. There was no privacy for the women and girls and no toilets. Women had to wait for the night to find places for answering their natural call. The fear of sexual exploitation of young girls and the trouble from the alcoholics loomed large on all women. There had no drinking water available, no clothes and no food. Within few minutes of the black Sunday, they were refuges in their own land. The sea that has been protecting and feeding them for year is hostile and turbulent this time. The sea, instead of giving fish to them, this time, it destroyed them and their life.
Many narrated the tales of deaths of their family members, their dear and near.  Everywhere, people were crying and desperately looking for the lost members. Few were dejected, shaken and forsaken after knowing the personal and other family tragedies. They had no information of the lost members and were perplexed of the missing family members. Frustration runs deep on them after long hours of hunt for the missed family members. 
Many women parents were further afraid of sending the children, for fear of next tsunami strike. They all had the fear psychosis of the sea and the terrible poundings of the tsunami. They were in terrible shock, dejection, desolation and desperation. All were sunk in shock, numb with grief and suck in the sorrow of the death of their family members. None of them slept on 26^th Sunday night. Their stay in open space on the chill night led to fever, cold and cough to many of the survivors.
In the first day, government did not render any assistance, as it was Sunday, the holiday for the government personnel. The next day, the Monday, Government woke up and rendered some relief. Many individuals and social organisations distributed food.  Amidst, all confusions, they could get something to eat. But, every one was thinking beyond it. The asked the questions, “What is next to me? Who will help me? How will I live without my family members”? Every where, the sound of their wailing were heard in the relief camp. “Why I am alive”. “I could have died with my family members”. “I have no strength to bear the death of my beloved”. “I have no hopes”  “Who will help me”. A sense of helplessness and fear of the future were profound among all.
The places from Marina Beech to Pattinapakkam Light House area looked like a war torn area. Everywhere damaged boats, torn of fish nets, damaged fishing vessels and wooden planks strewn around the beach. The beautiful beach is soiled and littered with rubbish and black soil. It looks as if, Marina beach, lost its shining and glamorous look.  Amidst, destruction and devastation around Marina beach, more than 1000 families were around the tenements. It is where more than 100 morning walkers, cricket players and tourists were swept away by the swelling and swallowing waters. The Sea water crossed even the main road and entered the Director General of Police, Office and All India Radio Station office. Police cordoned off the area for safety and security in the event of next tsunami alert.
On the basis of the interaction with the survivors and after seeing the plight of the displaced families, they recommended to provide relief immediately to the stranded families. 

v     Mats to sleep on the road, 

v     Tumbles and Plates

v     Plastic Pots to store water

v     Plastic buckets to wash and bath

v     Text books and Note books for the School children

v     Uniforms for the Children

v     Bed sheets or blankets to cover