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| Thursday, 30 December 2004 |
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by Manjula Fernando Notwithstanding its own heavy casualty figure in Sunday's tsunami disaster India has pledged US $ 25 million to help its small neighbour recover from a heavy toll in human lives and other casualties which is still rising and a monumental degree of damage to infrastructure and property. The Indian High Commission spokesperson said Cabinet approval for this assistance was expected yesterday and they will channel it here in whatever way Sri Lanka needs the funds. India has already sent four ship loads of relief supplies, rescue and relief workers including scuba divers for salvage operations. Two of these naval ships are berthed in the Trincomalee harbour and two more in the Galle port. Another vessel is expected at the Colombo Harbour on Friday. Six Russian built Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force have already begun assisting in relief distribution and transporting the displaced and provision of medical personnel. Two aircrafts transporting dry rations and medical supplies have arrived here by yesterday. In addition, to the 16 countries that has already pledged their assistance, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Turkey, UAE and Belgium has offered their assistance to help Sri Lanka to cope with the large number of people, nearly 1 million people displaced due to the tidal waves that devastated over 12 districts in the coastal belt. Belgium will be sending emergency medical kits (drugs and supplies), school kits, recreation kits for children, tents, disposable syringes, etc. An emergency team from Turkey will include a rescue and ecology group and communication systems restoring unit. The Yamaha Motor Company has donated 40 generators to be distributed in areas where the power supply has been completely destroyed. In response to the Government's international appeal for immediate and medium term a large number of countries and organizations have come forward with offers of assistance. France, Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Israel, the UK, Greece, Nepal, China, Australia, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Turkey, Switzerland, Canada, the USA, UAE, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan and UN, Red Cross organisations, and many other relief agencies have responded within the first two days of the tidal wave disaster. A large number of world leaders have also conveyed messages of sympathy and condolence. Due to the overwhelming international response received, as well as the generous assistance and contributions from local volunteer organizations, institutions, and fellow Sri Lankans, the Government will be able to shift its focus from emergency rescue and relief to the medium term assistance required, mainly in the areas of housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The current necessity is primarily for the supply of material and financial assistance, more than foreign relief personnel. The lack of accommodation for foreign experts arriving in the country is an additional concern. Many volunteer experts including Sri Lankan and foreign experts are already at work and more expatriate Sri Lankans are expected to arrive. |
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