People housed in dilapidated relief camp finally get some aid

T’puram: For the refugees of St George’s Lane in Valiyathura, who were shifted to an abandoned storage house next to the directorate of ports located near Valiyathura sea bridge, there is finally some relief. The glimmer of hope came after members of ‘Sthree Koottayma,’ a women’s collective, visited the camp on Sunday evening. They also brought three table fans for residents in the camp.
TOI had reported on the plight of inhabitants of the camp, who were forced to live with minimal facilities at the camp, which had no fans, multiple leakages across the asbestos ceiling, and infested with mosquitos and a lone room which was covered with tarpaulin and sheets at some parts to offer privacy for changing clothes. There is only one makeshift washroom for more than 50 residents of the camp, which is also in a bad state.
According to Bridget Leen, who resides at the camp, even the three fans will be a big relief for the people at the camp. “Some government officials arrived on Monday morning and took stock of the situation, including the pathetic condition of the washroom. They also unloaded some construction materials, including steel rods and assured that the washroom will be rebuilt at the earliest. We were also informed by persons associated with the church that local administration has plans to partition the storage house into 16 rooms, which would solve much of our problems here,” she said.
The camp also has several persons with ailments. Bridget’s mother-in-law Magdalene is 85 years old. She was diagnosed with heart ailments and requires Rs 2,100 per month for treatment. Pennamma Ligory is physically weak from continuous treatment for breast cancer. Her husband Ligory is also suffering from cancer. “The floor is rough and it is difficult for us to sleep on hay mats, but at least we have a roof above, so we adjust,” she said. City corporation officials will visit the camp on Tuesday and take stock of the situation. tnn