India:Mandapam Camp

Thousands of Tamils fled the war in Easter and Northern Sri Lanka to seek refuge in Tamil Nadu. Mandapam Camp was their first stop.

Mandapam Camp
The road that leads to the Mandapam Camp located about 700 KMS south of Madras. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Police check post near the costal point Arichamunai, which is separated from Sri Lanka by palk strait. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
The costal point Arichamunai, which is separated from Sri Lanka by palk strait. The costal point is the place where the boats drop off the refugees. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
A family is finished their registration at the camp office and going to their the allocated houses. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
A wall map showing the location of Sri Lanka in comparison to India. Tamils leave Sri Lanka and reach the costal point near Rameswaram to seek refuge in India. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the fences seen at the Mandapam Refugee Camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Registration in progress at the Mandapam Camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Children wait outside the camp's registration office while the registration is underway. One of the children is putting her sibling to sleep. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Tamils from Sri Lanka are gathered at the registration office of Mandapam Camp to complete their registration. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Photographs are taken for the refugee Identity card. Each person is give a serial number. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the residents show the Identity card for picture. The record has the name and age of the entire family. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Landscape of the Mandapam refuge camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Daily life inside the mandapam refugee camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Daily life inside the mandapam refugee camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the residents with cut wound, allegedly caused by SL army, poses for a picture. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Victim of war- Jeevanantham lost one of his legs for a bombing raid by SL Navy during a battle between the Rebels and the Sri Lanka Navy. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the residents shows the mark left form a series of torture during the interrogation at the Poosa detention camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Penitentiary located inside the camp. The residents are kept in detention for about 10-15 days when they arrive from Sri Lanka. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Typical scene of home inside with the belongings. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Many Tamils from Sri Lanka are Christians; Regardless of their believes they are very religious. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Interior of one of the residents home at the mandapam camp. The 300 SQ feet home is typically shared by the entire family. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Life of the refugees is in limbo and they are under constant scrutiny. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the long time residents of the Manadapam Refugee Camp. She was born in the camp and lived her entire life in the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the recent residents at the camp, remembers her family casualty during the recent Tsunami. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Photo album of one of the refugee families. The photo shows the Sri Lanka president during an award ceremony. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Poor sanitary condition is very prevalent in the camp. There is almost no running water and no proper toilets for the entire population. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Scene of houses in the refugee camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Women fetch water from the community well. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Daily life inside the mandapam refugee camp. The camp is built by the British government in early 1900s to house the migrant workers who were transported from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the residents buying breakfast from the vendor inside the camp. Some women sell snacks and odd domestic items to make a living in the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
View of empty hospital room. The camp has one hospital which is served by doctor few times a week. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Patients at the hospital inside the Mandapam refugee camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Residents play musical chairs during a festive week. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
A resident of the refugee camp inflate lorry tire tubes to go fishing in the sea. Some resident get special clearance to go fishing in the sea. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
A child seen at house in the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
A resident poses for a picture at his home. He used to be a fisherman in Sri Lanaka and made enough income. Due to lack of jobs and income he plans to return to Sri Lanka although there is an ongoing conflict. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Residents shop for fruits and vegetables outside the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
One of the residents lay on the ground asleep due to exhaustion. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Kanthan, a resident of refugee camp poses for a portrait. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Residents and undercover police officer seen outside the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
An young resident of the camp seen making phone calls to his relatives. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
A resident shows permit to return to Sri Lanka. Few residents decide to return to Sri Lanka because of lack of jobs and poverty. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Suspicion. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Young couple pose for picture. The couple used to be part of Tamil tigers group. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Daily life outside the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Some residents work in shops outside the camp; youth have tailoring jobs. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
Daily life outside the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva
Mandapam Camp
OFERR- Organization For Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation office located just outside the camp. Mandapam Refugee camp is the largest refugee camp India for Tamil refugees coming from Sri Lanka. Photo by: Sami Siva