JEF Tsunami Relief Appeal

Pictures from Sri Lanka

These pictures tell the story of the JEF relief effort in Sri Lanka so far. This project was initiated by Just Enough Faith in conjunction with the Sai Youth of Sydney. Many other groups and organisations have joined the effort and lent a valuable hand. Thanks to Kolitha Wickremage, a JEF volunteer currently in Sri Lanka, for providing these pictures and stories. Kolitha and the Sai Youth in Sri Lanka have been co-ordinating the relief effort at the front-line, receiving our shipments and delivering aid to the worst-affected.

Sai Youth loading one of the containers bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka with relief supplies.		The Sai Youth group in Colombo packing relief kits and labeling items to be donated. This process took many nights of non-stop work.
The UN staff at the WHO also contributed their time and energy in purchasing the plastic buckets, mats etc for this relief effort, despite their workload in responding to Tsunami		Colombo, Sri Lanka: Loading one of the trucks full of the relief kits for the Ampara/Kalmunai districts.
Another truck being loaded in Colombo. The relief team comprised of 10 youth left Colombo at 2.30am.		Lorry-loads of aid reach the badly-hit district of Ampara at 2:30 pm on Sunday, 9 January 2005.

The journey from Colombo to the first displaced camp at Akkapattu in the Ampara district took nearly 12 hours. Lorry-loads of aid were distributed to tractors in order to negotiate the narrow road ways and traverse the rugged terrain…the roads had just been reopened after they were closed due to the flooding that hit Ampara district straight after the Tsunami.
 

Finally! the relief reaches the first camp in the devastated Ampara district.		The relief kits were supplied to those displaced families peopled under a needs basis.

The youths worked with the “Gram sevaka”, the village/camp leader in co-ordinating the logistics of the relief. This camp was located in a school. A registration desk was set up with the assistance of the Government agent, local NGO (TRO) and army staff at camp. The relief kits were supplied to those displaced families under a needs basis. A card system was utilised and then provisions given accordingly. The operation went smoothly, was equitable and applauded by those displaced and by camp officers in charge.
 

The youths spent a considerable amount of time speaking to those in camp…many related harrowing stories of their personal losses. Toys (stuffed toys) were given to the kids at the camp after the hand-out of relief kits.		Relief kits being handed out to those in the displaced camp located in the interior of the Thirukovil area. The relief kits comprised of a 5L bucket, two Aussie toothbrushs, toothpaste, Aussie t-shirts , Aussie blankets, footware, thermos flask, cooking utensils, drinking waster cans, soaps etc
Next stop for the trail of tractors - one of the worst-affected camps in Komari, in the deep Southern part of Batticloa and adjoining Akkarapattur. As most roads were inaccessible due to flooding, the only way through was to negotiate the trail along the beach front.		At the Kamari displaced camp, located in an open quarry field 5km from the shore. Water pools were found everywhere, the soil was damp and people had lit fires inside their tents for the dual role of cooking and also keeping warm.

There were 1500 displaced, 750 families at the time of the visit.

TRO and UNHCR had provided tents.

This was the second time the Sai Youth have visited this camp since the Tsunami and the displaced people. Camp authorities commended their return and ongoing relief – such actions go a long way in alleviating psychosocial issues as well.

Having a continued mechanism of rehabilitation work here (as we plan to) will consolidate these bonds even further.

When the Sai Youth team first visited the camp a week ago they came across a young girl whose parents were missing. They were overjoyed to find them alive during this trip. The girl was grateful to see them as well.

Gram Sevaka was consulted, registration papers for each resident was obtained, and the relief kits were provided according to needs basis. Relief kits were provided to 85 families (the worst-affected). They were given biscuits and dry rations (salt, rice, dhal, chilli powder) and clothing (sarongs, salwars) were distributed to the camp.
 

A second camp was visited within a Methodist church where 23 families resided. The relief kits were provided here as well. Clothing was also given to camp authorities (especially undergarments) for distribution. Toys (mainly from Australia) were also given to children and the youths spent time with them.		The team then headed to another camp in Komari where there were 200 displaced people. In addition to the relief kits, dry rations and mats were also provided through the registration system. The remaining items (including mats) were then channeled to a camp in Kalmunai via a truck service.
		Exahusted the team left the camp setting at 11:15pm, and arrived home in Colombo at 9.20am Monday morning.
Who can imagine being in a worse condition that what these displaced victims must undergo. There is still a long way to go yet.

This was the story of the second relief mission "New Year's Appeal", which targeted the worst-affected in the margins of the Amapara district. The work is not over by any means and we endeavour to continue to work to sustain the initial relief to ensure sustainability in community development. The 2 R’s of “rescue and relief” phase is over and the nation is transitioning to reconstruction and rehabilitation...the needs are a changing dynamic but hopefully not our spirit.
 

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