The president of Sarvodaya, Dr A.T. Ariyaratne, has just returned from a visit to the North. He went to the Mullaitivu District and as far as Point Pedro in Jaffna. The damage in the North is very similar to that in the South with the entire coastal belt destroyed and the death toll and number of injured very high. Sarvodaya is co-operating with the government, LTTE and voluntary organisations to provide relief to these areas.
Dr Ariyaratne reported that the relief process has entered its second stage. Toilets and wells are being built and living areas being cleaned to provide proper sanitation. There are enough food supplies in the region, but now building and (house) construction materials are desperately needed in order to carry on with the re-building.
With the second stage under way Sarvodaya has started making long term plans for the affected areas. We have decided to put all orphaned children under the age of 11 and all female orphans under the age of 18 through our rehabilitation program. The long term rehabilitation will include financial support as well.
Sarvodaya has welfare centres in Jaffna, Killinochchi, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambatota, Matara and Galle. We are currently in full swing with our relief and re-construction work and need the full co-operation of all those supporting us with what will be a long term and on-going effort to help re-build Sri Lanka.
We are very grateful for all your support and wish you a happy new year.
Congratulations on your work in the north. This is the correct thing to do and will assist in laying the groundwork for a peaceful future.
nice to see a Southern based organiztion helping Tsunami releif work in the North and East. Hats off to Sarvodaya
I am glad to hear you say that you are helping the North and East. This is needed at a time like this and for our future.
Do you have any orphanages in the North or East? If yes, where are they and how many children are you supporting?
Thanks