Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Caritas tsunami response saved lives, gave hope and helped prevent violence and the outbreak of epidemics. It has been a success but we still have a huge task ahead of us in ensuring those affected have proper homes, secure livelihoods and peace to bring up their families without fear.” This was the conclusion of the Caritas Internationalis (CI) President, Denis Viénot, speaking at a press conference to launch a CI booklet entitled ‘Rebuilding Communities, Restoring Lives and Renewing Hope after the Tsunami’.
. He continued: “Caritas, as part of the local church, belongs to the local society and so within hours of the tsunami striking, local Caritas members were carrying relief goods to the survivors. The rest of the Confederation responded afterwards by providing experts in shelter, nutrition, health and community development as well as funds. Close to half a million people were assisted by Caritas during this initial emergency phase. In all, Confederation members contributed around $450 million, including substantial donations from members not just in Europe and North America but Latin America, Africa, Oceania and other parts of Asia”.
In the 12 months since the tsunami progress has been made “but more work has to be done with care and sensitivity...but we are confident that our collective efforts have rebuilt communities, restored lives and renewed hope” Vienot concluded.
Caritas activity was described in the booklet. In India: food and basic goods distributed to 118,554 families in the affected areas; 3,000 temporary shelters built; assistance to fisherfolk to restore incomes for up to 2,500 fishermen and 5,000 fish processing women; commitments to build 17,000 new houses; provision of vocational training to 8,000 people.
In Sri Lanka:- 24,000 families assisted during the emergency phase; essential items such as cooking utensils and mattresses distributed to 29,000 people; school supplies given to nearly 17,000 students; 214 trauma counsellors trained; 37 schools repaired; 2,853 fisherfolk assisted with boats, engines and nets; Commitment to construct 16,000 houses.
In Indonesia:- over 250,000 people received non-food kits throughout Aceh; 25,000 people received medical services in the grounds of Banda Aceh parish school; 2,000 transitional shelters will be built for people still in tents ; renovation of Banda Aceh hospital and two health clinics completed with another 11 under construction; nearly 74,000 people assisted with improved water supplies and sanitation facilities; trauma recovery programmes reaching 25,000 people; commitments to construct 20,000 houses in Aceh with 400 completed and 3,000 in progress; distribution of seeds, tools and fertilisers to help villagers replant for food production; the construction of 100 antisysmic schools on the island of Simeulue (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2005 righe 33 parole 324)
