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Sri Lanka - ASIAN TSUNAMI
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Within three weeks of
the devastation caused by the tsunami in SE Asia, Donate For Life
had three representatives in Sri Lanka. Their brief was simple: to
find projects that would help the largest number of people in the
most efficient and effective way possible. Due to the size of the
disaster it was agreed we would not constrict ourselves to our stated
aims of providing water for life.
The pervading political and economic climate was one of seemingly
endless bureaucracy and the conclusions had to be simple and directed
towards the greatest needs of the country. Initially, three main areas
of support have been set up:
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1. Housing
Almost 90,000 homes were destroyed and considerably more seriously
damaged, causing the displacement of almost 2,000,000 people. It
was more than apparent that housing was the greatest need.
2. Household essentials
‘Home Contents Pack’.
3. School equipment
‘School Aid Packs’.
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We also have a medical team who has just returned from assessing the
more immediate healthcare needs in Southern Sri Lanka as well as opportunities
for long-term psychiatric assistance. |
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Our Representatives
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Our representatives, Geoff and Lisa Sharp and Ross
Palmer, spent ten days in Sri Lanka attending Governmental and non-governmental
interviews, meeting local people and visiting the most devastated
areas. They created a large number of important contacts and provided
a highly detailed report which will enable us to achieve the brief.
Having traveled extensively in the affected region, they planned
a range projects that will suit individuals and corporate donors
alike.
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Our colleagues met with respected
community and national leaders to identify the areas most in need
and then visited specific locations to gain a first hand view. The
town of Matara in southern Sri Lanka was mentioned on numerous occasions
and following several visits it was agreed that our support for the
rebuilding programme would commence here. Following several meetings
with the local MP, who is well respected by his constituents, a suitable
building plot has been found and is to be donated free of charge by
the Sri Lankan Government to Donate For Life. The site is to be
divided up into blocks suitable for the construction of 30 to 50 dwellings
and developments will be planned on that basis. The local people will
be providing labour for their new community free of charge and Wherever
the Need will source the building materials and project management.
Initially a 30 house site was chosen, where a previous group of houses
had stood. The freehold owners could be identified and there was an
existing infrastructure in place, i.e. electricity, water and sewage.
For more information on our work in Sri Lanka
following the tsunami please choose a link from the menu
in the top left of this
page. |
To read our latest updates from Sri Lanka choose from the links
in the menu at the top right of this page.
If you want to help us in Sri Lanka please let
us know or donate now
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© 2005 Donate For Life. Registered charity number 1078369
