Salvation Army to aid Mautam famine victims

Aizawl, Jan 22: The Salvation Army's (SA) Indian Eastern Territory has decided to launch relief measures for the famine-stricken people of Mizoram following the Mautam (bamboo flowering) that proliferated the rodent menace last year.

A ''Mautam study group'' was formed in March 2007 which submitted its report on January 17. Besides, a ''territorial Mautam famine relief committee'' had been formed under the auspices of the SA territorial commander.

An emergency meeting, held here today under the chairmanship of SA chief secretary Lt Col Lalngaihawmi, laid down certain strategies in this regard.

The committee decided to distribute 400 quintals of rice to the affected families without any discrimination in the first phase.

The relief operations would commence from the last week of January. Besides the territorial headquarters - Aizawl, Saitual, Darlawn, Kolasib, Serchhip and Lunglei divisional headquarters would be the distribution centres. YMA branches will identify the affected families in their respective areas.

The SA mautam relief information centre will be based at the THQ building at Temple Square here.

Salvationists within the Indian Eastern Territory will be appealed to give donations from February 17. Fair deal centre project, costing Rs one crore, will also be initiated to ensure cheaper essential commodities. By setting up self-help groups, a micro credit and health development project, amounting to Rs 40 crores, was also made for the needy, according to the relief committee statement.

UNI