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| Sunday, 25 December 2005 |
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Features |  |
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France, first on the spot after Tsunami
France was one of the first countries that extended a helping hand to recover Sri Lanka from the Tsunami disaster. French public aid targeted infrastructure as well as housing, health. fishing industry, education, livelihood and psycho-social issues. It had been planned to include all communities. The different parties (International and local institutions, local or French Non-Governmental Organisations and small French associations) through which it operates are a guarantee for its success. During the Emergency Phase, France contributed to UN agencies and the ICRC, by supporting the activities of French Civil Security and medical teams, and about 8 million euros to cargo transportation for the NGOs through the Delegation For Humanitarian Action of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The French government provided 307.2 million euros as financial assistance to Sri Lanka. In January, it allocated 5.2 million euros for 20 projects in the country. For the same purpose it granted further 7.2 million euros. This was distributed to water supply, fishing industry, agriculture, disaster management, educational and vocational training, Cash for Work, livelihood, health, psycho-social and housing programs. The non-refundable aid given by the French government during the two phases was 15.7 million euros. In addition to that, it also granted 74 million euro-concessionary loans for an integrated water, roads, electricity and infrastructure development program in Trincomalee. Drinking water Action Country la Fain (AC) started a 3-year project to improve access to drinking water that benefited persons living in 20 camps. The Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development(ACTED) completed multilateral projects with the funding of 250,000 euros. 4,500 families in Batticaloa benefited from the Cash for Work program, started at a cost of 400,000 million euros. Agrisud International (AI) began a three-year recovery and reinforcement program in Batticaloa and spent 375,000 million euros, that benefited 850 families. Aide Medical Internationale (AMD) provided psychological support to 38,000 people affected by the Tsunami in Ampara. Adam's Peak Association constructed 25 houses in Hikkaduwa, Akurala and Galle at a cost of 70,000 euros. AIDER Association built a primary school in Habaraduwa for the benefit of 150 children. Association Tsunami Aide aux Victims (ATAV) started a 8-month reconstruction program in April this year in Nilaveli for the benefit of 20 families and others. The Solidarities organisation completed a clearing of debris and rehabilitation of roads, support to fishermen in March this year. Cash to Work program helped 20,000 persons and 4,700 fishermen received French support program assistance. The Reunir Association started the production of fibre boats to 150 fishermen in Hambantota and Ampara districts. Reconstruire et v ire organisation built 250 houses in Boosa. France contributed 100,000 euros to the UNDP in the strengthening of the capacities of disaster management, from which all Sri Lankans will benefit. It also granted 515,000 euros to the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training to start a 6-month crash program to train 1,160 qualified workers in the construction sector. More than 5,600 handicapped and elders participated in the Handicap International's reconstruction process. Human Development Organisation (HRO) constructed 100 houses in Karaitivu, Ampara. Epidemic Children of the World - Human Rights reinforced psycho-social support and child protection awareness to 1,000 people. Co-operation between 3 French and Hambantota, Tissamharama and Tellipallai hospitals began in April this year. SEDEC/Caritas Sri Lanka began a micro-credit, training and economic reinforcement program in several Tsunami affected areas. CARE France provided 370,000 euros to the reconstruction aid for the fisheries sector in the Jaffna district. Institute de Ceille Sanitare (InVS), a French public health organisation, helped Sri Lanka in the strengthening of capacities in the field of epidemic alert and response, at a cost of 1,500,000 euros. Syndicat National des Enseignants du Second Degree (SNES) provided library equipments to schools in six districts. At the request of the Geographical Survey and Marine Bureau, sent a team to survey and elaborate a plan of action to establish a Geographic Information System for which Paris had agreed to provide technical assistance. Sri Lankans, especially the Tsunami affected people, always remember the French assistance that relieved them from various difficulties caused by the Tsunami disaster. (MPM) |
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