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Tsunami aid and reconstruction efforts

Tsunami aid and reconstruction efforts

On December 26, 2004, countless lives throughout Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Southern India were suddenly stolen away by a tsunami. While vast amounts of emergency aid came in from various foreign governments, international organizations and NGO groups, activists and grassroots movements were already involved in relief efforts on the ground, together with the affected communities.

IMADR has worked from day one to gather relief funds to bolster partner organizations in Sri Lanka and India working to foster recovery.

IMADR took into account three important issues in responding to the tsunami disaster:
1) The existence of socially marginalized peoples who are discriminated against in aid and recovery efforts.
２）That local groups working at the grassroots level are hindered in their efforts, and survivors are forced into becoming passive receivers.
３）The government and military are using recovery efforts as a chance to expand their sphere of military influence, and a large amount of money from the international community is not reaching its intended beneficiaries.

It is because of these considerations that IMADR/IMADR-JC, although not a humanitarian aid or relief organization, decided to call for continuous support based on the following general guidelines:
1. To support aid and recovery efforts of local activists and grassroots groups;
2. To support those who are socially marginalized or discriminated against;
3. To focus on those who may not be receiving aid from the government or international groups because they are socially marginalized or discriminated against, and work towards necessary system reform;
4. To expand linkages of peoples and communities beyond borders, in order to ensure long-term aid to and the creation of movements by those affected; and
5. To collect donations both in Japan and internationally in order to act upon these guidelines.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the numerous individuals and groups who have responded to our calls for help. Because of your efforts, IMADR and its partner groups have been able to see real accomplishments.

Synopses of reports from IMADR’s partner organizations carrying out aid and recovery efforts in Sri Lanka and India can be found below.

　

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Update from Sri Lanka:
Nimalka Fernando, Chair, IMADR Asia Committee/IMADR President

Working together with various grassroots groups, IMADR Asia Committee has been able to extend the following support to minorities affected by the tsunami (especially women), promoting the organization of those affected and women’s participation in the recovery process and community-building thereafter:
· Aid aimed towards Tamil and Muslim women who were widowed either by war or the tsunami. This includes donations of clothing, repairing homes/construction of new homes, and providing jobs;
· Donations of school uniforms and book bags, toys, and other educational materials;
· Donations to nurseries and elementary schools, as well as supporting administration;
· Procurement of daily necessities, ID’s, and certificates of death; and
· Monitoring of the Sri Lankan government and its distribution of recovery aid.

Update from India:
Burnad Fatima Natesan, President, Society for Rural Education and Development/IMADR Director

Concerned that Dalits affected by the tsunami have been excluded from the aid and recovery process, in nine areas of the province of Tamil Nadu, various efforts are underway, concentrating to a large part on the organization and participation of the Dalit women in the recovery process. This aid includes:
· Donations of fishing boats and nets;
· Rebuilding of damaged houses in Dalit villages, as well as donations of cows and sheep for agricultural use; and
· Distribution of children’s school supplies.

The future

With the help from donations of things such as sewing machines, wheelbarrows, and sheep, women who lost their livelihood after the tsunami are slowly working their way back to where they used to be. Despite hardships, they are sending representatives from their community to participate in village decision-making, and are working towards improving their daily lives.

In this way, IMADR has helped marginalized people make a stand, and it is this long-term result of organization of the movement that makes us understand the importance of international solidarity. At a time where the media’s interest in this cause is waning, instead of forgetting these people, we keep them in the forefront of our thoughts as we strive to continue to connect people and communities in solidarity.

Maintaining interest in the struggle of those affected by the tsunami is a sign of encouragement for them. Help us in continuing to help people rebuild lives and provide sustainable conditions for the future.