Background
Asia is yet to recover from the black 26th December, 2004 as huge seismic waves triggered by massive under sea earth quake called Tsunami which swallowed the lives of more than 1,50000 people. The toll of People is increased day by day. In India more than 25000 men and women and children were died or buried alive and drowned in the sea. The television picture brought the horrifying seen of panic of the people in various seashores to our living room. Fisher man, tourists and the people living on the coast are not prepared for the killer waves that rose as six to ten meter height through out the coastal areas in Asia.

Scenario in India
In India, the coastal areas of four southern state viz. Tamiladu, Pondicherry, Andra and Kerela had been hit by Tsunami. Among the four states the magnitude of the disaster is more in Tamilnadu. The official State Government record said that 7910 people were died, a length of 1000 KM coastal area was affected, the seas water was invaded up to 1.5KM length in inland area, 362 villages were smashed by Tsunami, 73 villages were recorded more than 60% damage, 1,12748 dwelling units were broken and a population of 6.91 lakhs have been affected. The exact numbers of people who have been drowned and buried alive and missing are not yet to known. Early morning walkers and children playing cricket on the beach, pilgrims, tourists and the fisherman families are the main victims. Since it is a holiday on 26th December, in many places, for the first time the game cricket ended in nightmare for the children. Among the dead 40% are children.

Tsunami when destroying everything in its wake, people was dragged along the coastal and washed up on the beach. Those who managed to escape the furry of the waves tried to move as for as possible. But life ruined when another wave came their way. Hundreds of bodies were found on the shore, debris stood in the places of houses.

Nagai
The most affected area in South India is Nagapattinum district for which its topography is one of the main reasons. The narrow beach, shallowness of the continental shelf, absence of sand dunes and the near flat shore all acted against the town. In addition to this the holy place Velankanni in Nagapattinam District, which welcome tens of thousands of tourists for the Christmas Day and the accompanying festivals, turned in to disaster and large number of pilgrims were washed away. Fisherman colonies were completely washed away in many villages. The tsunami has wiped out almost all buildings, infrastructure and importantly the means of livelihood in 73 villages. Fishing vessels were smashed, dismantled, tossed up and the ship started drifting. The swirling waters pushed it towards the inner harbor were the ship were berthed. It tossed the boats for a Kilometer away. The devastation has rendered over 39000 homeless. In Nagapattinaum District alone 21 villages were totally destroyed and the people who are managed to escape from the fangs of Tsunami are safely accommodated in relief camp. Anguish, desperation, uncertainty and haunting memories of the tragic experience unfolded in all relief camps in this district.

Gandeepam
Gandeepam Global Foundation is a Voluntary Association's Network of 67 NGOs working in Tamilnadu. It is based at Kizhavayal, Sivagangai District, Tamilnadu. Responding to the distress call from Nagai, Gandeepam Global Foundation (GGF) has rushed to Nagapattinam along with its staff, volunteer and a team of medical persons on 26th December 2004 itself. GGF has also given call for its members in Tamilnadu and nearly 200 volunteers have arrived to undertake the relief operations. Gandeepam was actively encaged in the first stage of relief and rescue operation. The volunteers were worked 20 hrs per day. They recovered 1375 dead bodies and buried in the large pits prepared. GGF has geared up relief operation in the successive days with more local volunteers from the victimized area. GGF has established an information center and helped thousands people to identify their people. We have also identified 37 children from the affected areas and brought them for the special camp established for orphans. GGF has mobilized local resources worth of USA$2million and made available its personnel for providing medical relief and also to supply safe drinking water, food and cloth to the victims and those who are encaged in relief operation.

Medical camp
GGF has established three medical camps and two mobile medical camps in the Tsunami affected area with vital medicines including antibiotics and other life saving drugs. GGF has treated 18510 patients during the first one week alone and now the figure has raised to 23854 until 9th January,2005 . The medical camp is still under functioning because of the real need. GGF has also established environmental hygiene and with the help of anti-microbial chemicals such as bleaching powder in the areas where more dead bodies and the debris of carcasses found. With the team of counselors GGF is giving counseling to the victims who lost their kids and kin and not fully recovered from the terror of Tsunami.