Auroville Coastal Development

While tsunami response was still in the relief phase, the concept of Regional Resource Centres was developed. Currently, one state level Resource Centre in Chennai (TNTRC) and eight District Resource Centres (DRCs) have been developed. The following DRCs are: Nagapattinam (NCRC), Auroville (NCKRC), and Chennai (CNCC), Kanyakumari (KRRC), Cuddalore (CRC), Kancheepuram (KRC), Tiruvallur (TRC), and Thoothukudi & Tiruneveli (TRCTT). These Regional Resource Centres facilitate the flow of information between coordinating organizations and the villages and hamlets where the physical work of reconstruction is performed. They also provide a place for coordination activities and exchange of ideas to occur.

At present the Regional Resource Centres are contributing knowledge with particular areas of focus. The TNTRC (Tamil Nadu Tsunami Resource Centre) in Chennai is contributing to the relationship between civil society organizations and government, particularly the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Auroville NCKRC is contributing expertise in community planning, architecture, and other issues related to the construction of shelter and habitat. The NCRC (NGO Coordination & Resource Centre) in Nagapattinam brings together organisation with a wealth of experience in livelihood issues; particularly with respect to the fishing economies of the South Indian coast.

Objectives
By providing a single, central location for tsunami reconstruction information, we hope to foster better coordination among the NGOs and CBOs working in the field, and better coordination between NGOs and CBOs and the government, volunteers, individual donors, and donor agencies.

Comprehensive Policy Development
One of the keys to successful reconstruction will be the extent to which all organisations contributing to the effort are working from a common understanding and universal guiding principles. This website will be a repository for consensus-based policy content. It is also a portal or forum for the collaborative “Working Groups” – the NGOs and individuals who have come together to develop the best practices on the many issues that will shape reconstruction.

NGO Mapping
Many organisations are working on reconstruction — sometimes in concert, occasionally independently. By obtaining a comprehensive understanding of which NGOs are working on which projects in which areas, it is hoped that resources can be shared, efforts can become collaborative, and duplication can be avoided. This website will collect project information from all NGOs working on reconstruction efforts, including frequent status reports, thereby creating transparency and the basis for better coordination.