Thursday, December 22 2005 13:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kochi: Fear of the deadly waves continue to haunt children of the coastal villages of Kollam, Alapuzha and Ernakulam districts of Kerala where the deadly Tsunami had claimed at least 200 lives a year ago.

As December 26 approaches, mainly children in these regions are gripped by terror as they fear the region would be hit by another tidal wave like last year and wipe away whatever they have.

A study conducted on 15,577 children showed that even now 7084 children showed signs of fear, 547 were still in a state of shock and 29 children were unable to speak or act.

Fear of water continues to haunt about 2468 children and 2539 children feared sound, 1217 had sleep problems and 3 children even harbored suicidal ideas, it said.

At least 107 children have shown severe Psycho-social problems and 9512 children suffered from Mild Psycho social problems, According to Bitty K Joseph, Project Manager, Peoples Council for Social Justice (PCSJ), who conducted a two phase study on the affected children and people in the tsunami-hit villages of Kollam, Alapuzha and Ernakulam districts.

Betty said as the first anniversary of the tsunami was nearing, children were showing signs of a fear complex.

"We have intensified counseling for children and for adults too," she said.

Commemorative programmes would also be held on December 26 and 27 in the affected areas.

After tsunami, 57 children had reported loss of eye sights, 36 complained of loss of hearing. Twenty four children had to undergo amputation of either legs or arms. It was found that 135 children showed onset of Asthama, 1599 children complained of constant headaches, while 630 reported stomach pain and 911 children complained of lack of sleep.

Children were also affected by the destruction of their homes, loss of land, clothes, books and accessories and due to their parents losing jobs.

The study also revealed another disturbing factor that at least 222 children showed decreasing social interaction and 240 children were insecure while mingling with people.

Fortyone dropped out of schools and 74 children were unwilling to go to temples, churches or mosques after tsunami.

Anger, irritation, stubbornness, helplessness and suicidal tendencies due to the cumulative effect of many emotional problems were also seen.

At least 2478 children still live in relief camps against about 13,461 children who lived in the camps immediately after tsunami.

The negative impact of tsunami was found more on womenfolk than on men. The study found that lack of privacy in relief camps and settlements where two or three families had to share a roof, affected women and adolescent girls.

Men indulged in alcoholism, the frequency increasing due to the availability of monetary and material benefits after Tsunami, the study found.

A Canadian company which distributed Godrej almirahs to 3000 affected families in Kollam, found that people immediately sold it for Rs 500 and bought liqour bottles instead.