DHARMAPURI: Sri Lankan refugees of the rehabilitation camps at Vaniyar dam have urged the administration to offer aid in the renovation of the houses in the camps and allocate new homes for families.
The rehabilitation camp in Vaniyar dam is home to 240 Sri Lankan refugee families who shifted here in the early 80s, following turmoil in their island countries. Four decades ago, these families were provided with housing units and basic amenities.
These refugees have adapted to life here and also work as labourers in parts of Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. However, now with a population of 724 in these camps, the housing situation is overcrowded. These residents are urging the state governments for aid in renovating their homes. With the influx of new families, they also urged for new housing units.
B Mattew from the Vaniyar camps told TNIE, "At present there are over 200 units here, each house here accommodates at least two families. In rare cases, there are situations where three families have been living in a unit. The houses are also severely dilapidated, and we require renovation. But as daily wage labourers supporting large families, we are unable to support the renovation works. We urge the administration and the state governments' aid."
Another resident, S Kannayiram from the camp, said, "The Tamil Nadu government has done so much for us, we have been provided homes, we have been getting assistance, and also ration, which have helped us greatly. But our situation worsens with every generation; we have about 136 children under the age of 12.
Our housing units were made with a sheet roof but now they are broken. During the rainy season, we also have to face leakages and sleepless nights. People in other six camps across Dharmapuri have been provided new housing units, under various schemes, but here we have not been provided."
Several people also stated that access to education and health care from the camp is difficult. Further, as they live close to the water shed area of the Vaniyar dam, there is a risk of flooding during the monsoons."
Revenue officials told TNIE, "We will look into the matter. So far, we have not received any requests. We will conduct an inspection and if possible, we will forward their concerns to the respective departments."