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SEVAC launched 'Operation Disha Project' for the Tsunami Victims in the Andaman & Nicobar Island in collaboration with World Federation for Mental Health and Irish Aid (formerly known as DCI)
Immediately after Tsunami the Psychiatrists and Psychologists of SEVAC reached the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the leadership of Dr. Tapas Kumar Ray (Chief Functionary, SEVAC) for extending Psychiatric Care and Emotional First Aid to the tsunami affected people. In this context it is noteworthy that Late Justice Ranganath Mishra and Mr. P.J.Garison, CEO of the World Federation for Mental Health encouraged the SEVAC team immensely to take this challenge.Thereafter, the Operation Disha Project was launched for extending long term service for the cause of the Tsunami affected people.
Initial Action Plan
- One Temporary Psychiatric Clinic was set into operation in each Relief Camp;
- Our Psychiatrists and Psychologists attended those clinics on a regular basis;
- Psychotropic medicines were given to the people who needed them;
- Arrangements for Counseling were made;
- The Psychiatrists and Psychologists held Group Counseling involving the camp dwellers, on a regular basis;
- Paramedics, Nurses, Volunteers and Government Officers, School Teachers engaged in the Relief Camps were brought under Mental Health Training so that they could extend Emotional First-aid and refer the people, who needed Psychiatric/ Psychological care, to the SEVAC team.
Long term Activities
The Chief Psychiatrists and Chief Psychologists of the SEVAC Team operated Psychiatric Clinics at the Car Nicobar Island and Port Blair for next two years.
- SEVAC also reached Bangladesh for extending Psychiatric/ Psychological care to the SIDAR affected people.
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