JICA AA assists tsunami victims

THE JICA Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (JICA AA) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Sri Lanka Office, provided relief to the tsunami affected families sheltered at Koggala (Sinha Fisheries Village) camp and at Shri Wijayatungaramaya temple premises, Madihe, Kamburugamuwa.

With a view to ensure the schooling of the children, school books, school uniforms, underwear and shoes were provided. Dry rations, milk foods and clothing were also distributed among all families. To meet an immediate needs the Madihe camp was provided with a water pump.

A junior school in Matara was renovated to enable the school to begin its activities. The tradesmen in the two camps, carpenters and masons were provided with tools and equipment to enable them to go back to their vocations.

In addition, children attending Merijjawila Maha Vidyalaya and Theripuththa Primary School in Hambantota who had lost both parents and one parent were provided with school books and equipment and uniform material and shoes. Dry rations, milk foods and clothing were also distributed to displaced families, including the Hambantota base hospital Staff affected.

To facilitate the children and their parents in Koggala and Madihe camps to enjoy the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, toys, bed sheets, towels and food items were distributed two days before the New Year.

Upali S. Jayasekera, Secretary, JICA AA said that the JICA AA is grateful to JICA resident representative Takumi Ueshima for approving funds set apart for various JICA AA projects to be utilised to provide assistance to the tsunami victims, former Ambassador for Japan Seiichiro Otsuka and former JICA Resident Representatives Messrs.

S. Sakamaki and S. Kaiho for the financial assistance provided, friends and members living abroad especially in Australia, Canada and New Zealand for rushing food items and clothing etc. for distribution to the affected people, and JICA AA members who rallied round to offer relief.