ASIAN TSUNAMI

Within three weeks of the devastation caused by the tsunami in SE Asia, Wherever the Need 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:

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’.

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.

Our Representatives

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.

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 Wherever the Need. 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.