by Melani Manel Perera

The Catholic charity built 10,713 permanent housing units and 12,616 temporary shelters, investing US$ 85 million raised in 46 different countries. But much remains to be done to help those families still homeless and children orphaned by the tsunami.

Colombo (AsiaNews) – Caritas-Sri Lanka SEDEC has completed its rehabilitation and reconstruction programme which began right after a tsunami devastated the island nation in 2004. Mgr Harold Anthony Perera, bishop of Galle; Mgr Joseph Kingsley Swamipillai, bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa; Fr Damian Fernando, head of Caritas Sri Lanka, Fr Damien Arsakularatna and K. Theivendirarajah, director of SED Galle, were present at the press conference (pictured) held yesterday in which the results of the work carried out were presented.

The Catholic charity reported that 10,173 permanent housing units and 12,616 temporary shelters were built. Fishermen received 26,967 various kinds of assets. Small farmers received another 34,163 to help start up their activity again, including seeds, tools, water pumps and irrigation facilities. .

Caritas-SEDEC invested some 10 billion Sri Lankan rupees (US$ 85 million) in the programme. The funds were raised in 46 countries, including Italy. Funds raised by Caritas Italia went into the rehabilitation and reconstruction work in 16 villages in Puttalam District. 

Tsunami program manager K Theivendirarajah explained that his organisation focused on education and psychosocial support for tsunami victims.

Caritas-SEDEC will continue in its work beyond what has been done so far and provide further support to the population.

Fr Damien Arsakularatna, director of SED Galle, said shelters for orphans are getting financial aid in cooperation with Caritas-Polska (Poland).

Once every project is completed Caritas Galle will still continue providing 200,000 rupees a month for the children—some 2,000 of them will in fact be economically supported till they reach the age of 18.

Given the high unemployment rate and the great number of still homeless tsunami victims Caritas-SEDEC will continue to help those in need.

Father Arsakularatna reported that 11,000 families are still homeless, about a thousand of them originally from the Western Province.

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