Terre des Hommes Netherlands has been operative in Sri Lanka for over 30 years and built up a broad network of and close cooperation with partner organisations. Because of this, relief goods had reached communities as far as Batticaloa before the end of the 26th of December. In the first week after the Tsunami 9500 persons were provided with food, water, clothing and medical treatment. At the same time reconstruction and rehabilitation proposals were prepared and funding for these was secured by mid January. Until livelihoods were restored a survival grant was provided to 3400 families in 53 fishers’ villages in Matara, Hambantota and Ampara districts. On request of the government water supply by means of bowsers continued for one year.

REHABILITATION

In January 2005 rehabilitation activities started:

 - 444 women received funds to regain their lost occupational assets of which 320 coir fibre industry

- it was planned to replace 1089 Oruwa’s, but as many other organisations presented Oruwa’s, production was stopped at 418; instead 100 FRP boats 19 ft with outboard engine were provided

- 1160 units of lost fishing gear has been replaced

- 1163 members of the Micro Finance Institution of the fishers’ communities received assistance to overcome their debt burden

- with assistance of the UDA it was planned to provide 1450 families with a new house; eventually 1470 received a new house

- in a separate scheme 100 houses were built for railway employees and their families who lost their house due to the Tsunami

- 6 community centres were constructed for those communities that had lost their meeting place

- 4 Early Learning Centres were rebuilt

- a home for children affected by the Tsunami was established. 

DEVELOPMENT

During the Rehabilitation phase it was envisaged not only to put the fishers’ communities in the Tsunami affected areas back on their own feet, but also improve their economic situation.

- two boat yards for the construction and repair of small vessels have been established; these offer employment for 30 youngsters

- funds have been secured to set up production unit for the manufacturing of multi-day boats

- a microcredit programme with a capital over EUR 1 million has been established to provide jobs for 3500 members of the fishers’ communities

- two 30 bed-wards children’s wards were constructed and equipped  

And today the final item on the list of the Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation programme, a full fledged 60 bed hospital, will be handed over to the government. This hospital will serve the population in the Kirinda area, who have so far been deprived of medical facilities. The hospital will be managed by the Ministry of Health Southern Province. To oversee the operation and make community participation feasible, a committee is established representing the donor agency, the SFF, health experts and community.  

I would like to thank all those who made it possible that the Relief and Rehabilitation programme could be implemented on time: the partners of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, especially the SFFL, the Government of Sri Lanka at national level and in the districts, the members of the Women Societies and the fishers’ communities.

Lei Brouns

Regional Director of South Asia

Terre des Hommes, Netherlands.