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Tsunami one-year update

On 26 December 2004, Tsunami tidal waves struck the coastal areas in the North, East and South of this country.

We took immediate measures to provide relief to the people affected, by distributing dry food and utility items such as – cooking utensils, sewing machines, bicycles and uniforms to the school going children.

The continuation of providing such temporary measures of relief will not give a permanent solution to those affected by the Tsunami. We have therefore, embarked on providing long term livelihood measures to a few of the victims in these affected areas in the North, East and South of Sri Lanka.

We have thus far distributed 30 units of boats, out boat motors and fishing nets to some of the victims in the Mamunai area, which is situated East of Vadamarachchi in the Jaffna district. We have also distributed 20 boars, out boat motors and fishing nets to the victims in the Kilinochchi district, who have been re-located in Kallaru in the Kandavalai Gramasevaka division. We are also in the process of procuring a further 30 units to be given to these victims. American World Jewish Service has provided funds for the 30 units mentioned above and have pledged to provide funds for a further 25-30 units.

Navalady which is situated in the Batticaloa district is sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and the Batticaloa lagoon. It was very sad to see that the entire fishing community in this village has been swept by the tidal waves and thrown into the Batticaloa lagoon. We are taking necessary steps to provide approximately 20 units of boats, out boat motors and fishing nets to some of the victims in this village.

We are now continuing to find substantial donors who could fund the following, so that the supplementary income would be generated by the women

1. Additional units of boats
2. Providing cattle, goats and poultry to the women
3. Additional sewing machines to the women

We hope and pray that more philanthropists in this country and abroad will come forward to help us achieve our goals.

There is a great demand for humanitarian services of this nature in this country. However, we are constrained to limit assistance to the projects listed in this report. We would certainly extend our support to the other deserving projects, should we receive more assistance.

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