Tsunami Relief in Sri Lanka

I am sure you were shocked as I was on Boxing Day to see the pictures of the effects of the Tsunami on many countries in Asia.

Kingscare has been working in Sri Lanka for 16 years and so we decided to concentrate our relief in that country. Just after the Tsunami communications were very difficult but when I contacted the churches in Sri Lanka I discovered that they were already involved in relief aid out of their own resources.

We immediately put out an appeal for emergency funds and altogether received about £110,000 mostly from churches and individuals in the United Kingdom. This was small compared with the appeal raised by The Disaster Emergency Committee but nevertheless represented the most we had ever received for one appeal.

Churches amongst the first to bring aid

The churches in Sri Lanka were immediately very well placed to be involved in the relief effort and were amongst the first to be sending out food lorries long before the big charities and official agencies. Before long however the larger agencies pretty well had the main emergency covered and people at least had food and temporary shelter.

We decided to send about a third of the money on relief aid and to leave two thirds for longer term re-development.

People lost so much in the Tsunami. Many children lost their parents and parents their children. In Sri Lanka over 30,000 died but many more, about 1,000,000 lost their homes.

People lost relatives, homes, possessions and livelihoods

With their homes went their possessions and in many cases their means of livelihood. Further re-development means addressing these problems and giving people back their homes and the means to support themselves and with that a hope for the future.

The government of Sri Lanka has specified a minimum requirement for new homes with bathrooms and kitchens. These homes have to be built a minimum of 100 metres from the sea and must be constructed of permanent materials such as brick, concrete etc… As many people live in simple houses this should result in an improvement in the standard of living for many people.

Each home will cost in the order of £2500 and we aim to build at least 16 of these houses. This may seem like a drop in the ocean but they are not statistics they are real people who will be really helped.

Many homes were damaged by the Tsunami and we aim to pay for the repairs of 50 such houses. Repairs may only cost about £100 or so but it makes the difference between living in a tent and living in their own home.

Still dependant?

In one fishing village the village leaders said that they would rather have fishing boats because they could then build their own homes. Otherwise the people would still be dependent on aid.

The needs are enormous and the fund is still open.
Relief Aid — money spent
Lorries and vans containing food aid
Lorries and vans containing other domestic items
Money to individuals for specific needs
Restoration of wells
Running clinics to meet medical needs
Development — plans
Providing funds for 6 fishing boats and nets etc.
Homes for 16 families
Repairs for 50 houses
2 motorbikes to help the relief efforts
Provision of a grinding mill for a family who lost their home and business.
Provision of books for school for deaf & dumb children

We are a small organisation with a big heart! We do not get a share of the major appeals. We are dependant on you, our supporters. The need will continue and the fund is still open!


KINGSCARE The King's Centre High Street Aldershot Hampshire GU11 1DJ T. +44 (0) 1252 333233 F. +44 (0) 1252 310814 info@kingscare.org	© Copyright 2008 Kingscare