Tsunami 2004
The tidal waves caused by a massive underwater earthquake on 26th December have wreaked havoc throughout the South Eastern Asia region, with Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka being some of the worst hit nations. The death toll is over 168,000 according to BBC News 16th Jan, while many more are left injured, homeless, missing, have had their livelihoods ruined, and are in danger of outbreak of disease. Further details of News stories and statistical updates can be found at these links:
How the Asian Tsunami Disaster Happened
Galway Sri Lanka - Tsunami Relief Project
A voluntary initiative set up to offer practical support to the people of Sri Lanka in the wake of the Asian Tsunami disaster.
December 26, 2004 - devastation hits the unsuspecting coast of Sri Lanka. Soon after the Tsunami hit, three local residents of Galway decided to launch an initiative to provide aid to the victims of the tsunami.
Image courtesy of BBC
Introduction
This website has been set up to provide a point of information about the work initiated by three Galway based men to bring relief to some of the most remote and hard hit regions in Sri Lanka in the wake of the Asian tsunami disaster.
We (Ari, Noel and Vincent) flew out to Sri Lanka on the 7th of January for between 3 -8 weeks. We are paying for our own travel expenses and only need money to help the people affected with practical support, i.e. Medicines, Food and Water treatment, Clothing and Shelter. We are in a unique position to deliver these specific and highly practical relief objectives to the people who most need them, and in the process to encourage the local populations to become self reliant.
Why focus on the regions of Ampara and Batticaloa?
We are focusing our efforts on Sri Lanka, and the provinces of Ampara and Batticaloa (maps) in particular. The selection of these two regions was determined by several factors:
- i. These are among the worst hit regions in Sri Lanka;
- ii. They are likely to be the most difficult for formal Aid Agencies to cope with (context);
- iii. All three organising volunteers have worked in Sri Lanka, while Ari and Noel have several years experience specific to Ampara and Batticaloa, and;
- iv. We have the local knowledge and networks to deliver our objectives on the ground.
Diagram courtesy of CNN