It is noticeable that here in the UK, after two unrelenting weeks, the reporting of the Tsunami disaster has lessened, overtaken by domestic issues. But the nightmare for thousands continues unablated:
Sri Lanka Statistics (described as tentative) as at 10 Jan
Dead - 30,725
Injured - 15122
Missing - 5903
Displaced (living in camps or with families) - 491,008
Housing units, totally or partially demolished - 117,360
The Appeal so far
We are delighted to tell you that through your generosity, by the time
you read this email, our appeal will have raised over £10,000 in
the UK - worth many times that amount of buying power in local Sri Lanka
Rupees. The following items tell you about what this sponsorship
is helping to achieve.
People's Church Relief Aid to date
People's Church was one of the first to begin sending assistance to
the affected areas.
As at 10 Jan, 40 truckloads had been dispatched to the North, the East,
and the South carrying Rice, Dhall (lentils), Sugar, Milk Powder, Soya,
Canned Fish, Biscuits, Towels, Linen and Medicines including antibiotics.
Also about 20 to 25 Relief workers and counsellors have been deployed full
time in each of the 4 Care Centres:
Kalutara (South West)
Galle (South)
Amara (East)
Mullaitivu (North East)
Changing Needs
After this initial response, People's Church Relief have considered
the needs of the nation and their own mission and capability and have decided
to focus relief efforts into the following areas:
· Food and Essentials
Items They still need to send food to affected areas, as well as
the means to cook it.
· Medical Aid - Medicines and Medical Camps They are sending medical aid to those suffering injuries sustained in the Tsunami as well as those suffering other medical complaints.
· Trauma Care Support The survivors of the Tsunami have lived through a very traumatic time and need emotional care and support to enable them to deal with their experiences.
· Housing (Resettlement of the displaced by providing material and by the construction of houses) We are working in partnership with ŚHabitat for Humanity‚ to rebuild and re-house.
Habitat for Humanity
For information about Habitat for Humanity see www.habitat.org/CR/ and see this press item:
BANGKOK, Thailand, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity offices in four of the principal countries affected by the devastating earthquake- triggered tsunami in the Indian Ocean are putting together plans that could house up to as many as 25,000 families in a first phase of transitional housing as it works to provide permanent housing solutions. Groundbreaking on the homes could occur as early as next week.
In Sri Lanka, where several Habitat affiliates and their homeowners were directly affected, an estimated one million people have been displaced. HFH Sri Lanka is part of C-Net, an alliance of 10 Christian-based NGOs working to provide shelter using transitional housing. Ground could be broken for the first houses as early as next week.
In the first phase, the goal is to build more than 10,000 core houses and to move 100,000 people out of refugee camps. HFH Sri Lanka is the largest homebuilder in the country, after the government, and could be responsible for half that total. Each basic shelter is expected to cost up to US$500.
Venturing South
Finally, last weekend, Lesley Holdsworth was able to travel from Colombo to Galle, and revisit some favourite beach haunts, now totally devasted. She also visited a nearby military-run refugee centre in a school at Ambalangoda. She reports that it was difficult to take photos, because it was a case of 'all hands on deck', with everyone in her group, including the drivers, being needed to control the handing out of children's school equipment and toys to each family present. Respecting people's bandwidth, we have attached just 3 photos from her trip - Galle Cricket Ground, and the Ambalangoda refugee camp.
Thank you for your continued support, messages and prayers as the Tsunami relief moves into a new long-term phase. An update will be sent in 4-5 days or earlier if we have some significant news.
Mike Holdsworth
for HoverAid Trust
email: hoveraid@btinternet.com
website: www.geocities.com/hoveraid_sri_lanka
