New Homes and Hopes After the Tsunami
Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation in Kudawella/Sri Lanka
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- Meulet, Priyan and Priyantha (from left to right) in front of their future home. © CBM
Priyantha Wanigabadu lost his four-year-old son and his house in the Sri Lankan town of Kudawella to the huge wave of 26 December 2004, which brought unprecedented terror and destruction to Sri Lanka and other countries in South East Asia. At least 226,000 people in India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Thailand lost their lives, about half a million people were seriously injured, according to United Nations and World Health Organisation estimates. In Sri Lanka, more than 30,000 people were killed and 835,000 lost their homes, mainly in the Southern and Eastern coastal regions. Of those injured, many will become permanently disabled. Those who survived physically unharmed-like Priyantha (38), his wife Meulet (36), two sons Priyan (14) and Milan (11), and daughter Piumi (10)-were left to their shocking memories and to the devastated landscapes.
Four CBM Supported Projects in Sri Lanka Affected
In Sri Lanka, four CBM supported projects were badly hit by the tsunami. In Kudawella, a coastal fishing resort in the South (Hambantota district), 2,250 of the 6,000 inhabitants were directly affected by the catastrophe. A total of 56 people lost their lives. More than 2,000 were displaced.
A total of 120 people with disabilities in Kudawella were affected, including people with mental health problems, who developed a disability in the aftermath of the tsunami; 22 of them were younger than age 20. The partner of CBM immediately started relief efforts; within the first month after the tsunami, food, clean water, hygiene articles, medicine, clothing, and blankets were distributed. At the same time, temporary shelters for displaced people from the coast were established and household items were provided.
A total of 120 people with disabilities in Kudawella were affected, including people with mental health problems, who developed a disability in the aftermath of the tsunami; 22 of them were younger than age 20. The partner of CBM immediately started relief efforts; within the first month after the tsunami, food, clean water, hygiene articles, medicine, clothing, and blankets were distributed. At the same time, temporary shelters for displaced people from the coast were established and household items were provided.
New Hopes for PWDs and Non-Disabled People of Kudawella
In the months following the tsunami, CBM’s partner Navajeevana started its Development Alternatives project and steps to rehabilitate Kudawella were taken, including rebuilding houses and fisheries and providing psycho-social care for the affected population. Following the principle of inclusion, the project meets the needs of persons with disabilities and their families as the needs of non-disabled community members.
Reconstruction Proceeds Quickly
With the financial support of CBM’s partner, Priyantha could get official approval to find a plot for the new home. Near Mahawella lagoon, a plot was found that fit the family’s needs. The foundation stone was laid on 17 October 2005, after an astrologist had been asked for the best cosmic constellation. The reconstruction proceeded quickly through November and December. Remains of the old houses were used for the new home.
Read on: Focussing Persons With Disabilities
Read more: Kamala Takes Her Life in Her Own Hands
Further information: Other Steps to Rehabilitate Kudawella
Go back: Project Reports
Read on: Focussing Persons With Disabilities
Read more: Kamala Takes Her Life in Her Own Hands
Further information: Other Steps to Rehabilitate Kudawella
Go back: Project Reports
Overview on CBM's Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation
In addition to relief and rehabilitation in Kudawella, CBM supports a total of 27 programmes in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.
- In Sri Lanka, four partner organisations with 200 volunteers and 50 staff members provided ermergency relief, and then started with rehabilitation and reallocation of families, who were displaced by the tsunami.
- In India, after initial emergency relief, a coordination team for long-term rehabilitation has been established.
- In Indonesia, houses are rebuilt, and in addition, volunteers are trained to provide psycho-social assistance to traumatized tsunami survivors.
- In Thailand, CBM supports the mental rehabilitation of several hundred tsunami-affected people and in addition, thousands of clients in Phang-Nga province. Mental Health workers within the communities are being trained to give psychological counselling to persons suffering from psychological distress or mental disorders.
