Tsunami: Helping people work again
Wed, 16 Feb 2005
Families from across Asia are slowly rebuilding their lives after December's devastating tsunami, as aid agencies move
from relief into development work.
World Vision's CEO Helen Green says $4.2 million has now been raised and the focus for aid teams in Asia is still on
providing housing, water and sanitation to the thousands of families in need.
"But we are now entering the recovery phase to help people get back on their feet towards self-sufficiency," says Mrs
Green, who said she wanted to extend her thanks to New Zealanders for their generosity in giving, and to assure them
their money was making a long-term difference.
"We're in these countries for the long haul because we know it will take a long time for people to rebuild their lives
after such a traumatic and devastating disaster," she says.
Current work underway includes:
Indonesia: World Vision has so far distributed food, water, and items such as cooking utensils, hygiene sets and
gardening equipment to 27,000 people. Medical supplies and pharmaceuticals have been supplied to local hospitals and
temporary housing has been provided for about 8,000 people. Over the next few weeks, 5,000 families will receive tools
to help them start to earn a living again and World Vision will also organise a community clean-up cash-for-work
project, to help with rebuilding.
Sri Lanka: World Vision has distributed food and other essential items to 276,000 people in Sri Lanka. Over the next
month, the agency will be distributing items such as tents, cooking equipment and blankets to people living in
displacement camps. World Vision is also involved in constructing toilets and establishing clean supplies of water.
Longer term, the focus is on rebuilding schools and other damaged infrastructure, and starting recovery programmes to
support people as they re-start businesses to earn money again.
India: Relief packs have been distributed to 42,000 families since the tsunami struck and hygiene kits, educational
materials and other goods to 20,000 families. Temporary shelters have been provided for 7,000 families. World Vision
will also be providing financial grants for about 450 small business and community-based initiatives, and will provide
motorboats and fishing nets for around 1,000 families.
Thailand: 2,000 survival kits have been distributed and 220 temporary shelters have been supplied to families. Plans are
underway to rebuild some of the 800 schools destroyed by the tsunami.
To donate to World Vision's ongoing development work, go to www.worldvision.org.nz or call 0800 80 2000.
ENDS