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| Thursday, 13 January 2005 |
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| Generosity displayed by int'l community overwhelming and unprecedented - Minister Amunugama Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Sarath Amunugama MP at the Ministerial Meeting on the Flash Appeal for the Earthquake-Tsunami in the Indian Ocean held on January 11 said: "The scale and the magnitude of the tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka and in our region is now well-known and details need not be repeated here. An immense sadness has engulfed our nation. The destruction of homes and businesses as well as displacement of over 500,000 people has led to social dislocation and an adverse fallout on the local economy. The loss of over 35,000 out of a population of 19 million people thereby creating a human resource deficit has compounded our burden. "This tragedy, however, has brought out the best in our culture and traditions with outpourings of local support for the victims without any form of discrimination. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Government appealed to the international community for assistance. The generosity displayed by the international community has been overwhelming and unprecedented. The Government's robust response to this catastrophe was amply supported by the United Nations and its specialised agencies, multilateral financial and lending institutions, other inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations. To all of them we owe a deep debt of gratitude. "It is very heartening that none of the dire predictions regarding a possible second wave of epidemics and famine did not occur. This underscores the effectiveness of our joint relief efforts and satisfactory coordination. "For the Government and our people, it was humanitarian concern that propelled the effort to help every affected citizen, irrespective of any other consideration. We were able to mobilise the Government apparatus, including in the North and the East due to the prevailing ceasefire. In addition, security forces including those of friendly countries and ordinary citizens, civil society organisations and the business community provided assistance and relief to all citizens in all areas affected by this disaster. "Our needs are focussed on health and sanitation and social and environmental protection. That will be followed by rehabilitation of the affected communities and economic recovery. For this purpose and to coordinate and implement the entire rehabilitation and reconstruction effort, the President of Sri Lanka has established three task forces. The Task Force for Rescue and Relief will obtain and analyze data in all sectors in the affected areas and will coordinate relief activities with all stakeholders. The Task Force on Logistics and Law and Order is responsible to ensure equitable distribution of relief supplies and immediate law and order issues among displaced persons. The Task Force to Re-built the Nation will assess the physical damage and draw up plans for the long-term reconstruction. In order to mobilise all interested groups for the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction and to ensure adequate consultations, this task force has already invited proposals from all stakeholders in the country. At the operational level local and district committees are being set up to ensure more decentralised execution of projects and programmes in all affected areas. Monitoring Committees representing all stakeholders are being formed to ensure transparency and accountability and the best use of donor and public funds as well as to prevent irregularities and corrupt practices. "We immensely value the contribution by the OCHA and the UN teams who coordinated the UN assistance programme. The flash appeal presented today contains plans to respond to our immediate needs. We have also undertaken a detailed assessment of our reconstruction requirements to ensure the long-term social well-being of the affected communities by formulating projects for sustainable economic recovery, rehabilitation and rebuilding. "Our economy has been battered badly as a result of the tsunami disaster. Particularly, fisheries, tourism, transport and retail trade sectors which engage large segments of SMEs have suffered severe set backs. Thus, we are faced with an extremely difficult task of embarking upon a rapid recovery. We are therefore heartened by the announcements of several donor nations for debt relief measures that will assist our economy particularly during the reconstruction period thereby releasing national resources for nation building. We also look forward to special concessions for market access for our exports to sustain the competitiveness of our economy. "In the use of donor resources it is our wish that all funds given to the government and non-governmental agencies are disclosed and made transparent. We want all funds used for projects and programme implementation in the affected areas to be used effectively. In disbursing donor assistance and public funds, the maximum use of local inputs, human resources as well as local capacities should be utilised. "May I thank the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Kofi Annan who visited Sri Lanka last week and Under Secretary General Jan Egeland and those in the UN system who have helped us in this hour of need. "Finally, may I thank all those donor nations for manifesting a unique sense of solidarity. Our people appreciate your generosity. The people of my country have shown their resilience and solidarity in facing an unprecedented disaster. With your generous help we are determined to rebuild our country, Minister Amunugama said. |
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