The first anniversary of the tsunami has just passed without incident, despite fears from many among a still traumatized population that another disaster was imminent.
The situation on the ground has greatly improved over the last twelve months, with very significant effort and resources targeted at health and nutrition, children, livelihood, trauma recovery, reconstruction and housing. Housing is the area where progress has been least satisfactory, and is the single biggest challenge going forward. Until all affected families have a permanent place to live they will be unable to lead a ‘normal’ life. The difficulties on the ground in making this happen mean that it will be many months before this point is reached.
At Friends of the South we are continuing with all our main projects and adapting them as circumstances change. We are also working on a variety of interesting new projects for 2006. Our focus is no longer tsunami-centric, as there is so much that needs to be done behind the narrow strip affected by the tsunami.
Funds spent passed the Rs25,000,000 (approx $250,000) mark in November, and should exceed Rs30,000,000 in early 2006.
We are very pleased with our direct chanelling of funds to projects and end beneficiaries, which receive over 99% of all donation money after local tax (at an effective rate of 0.9%).
For a closer look at what we have been up to and for a summary of our first audited accounts, please have a look at our Annual Report for 2005 on our website, www.friendsofthesouth.org, or click here.
None of this would have been possible without all of you who so generously donated funds or offered assistance in many other ways. To everyone who helped, many, many thanks.
We intend to carry on with our work into the long term, so please remember us should you be planning any fundraising activities or if you know people or organizations that are, and who want to donate to help in Sri Lanka in an efficient and direct way.
We wish everyone a very happy and successful 2006.
The Board of Friends of the South
Bindu Wickramesekara, Jack Eden, Nasser Hussein, Olivia Richli (Secretary), Para Dias Jayasundera, Rob Drummond (Chairman), Ulla Maschberger.
