Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

The tsunami-affected families in the Kirimichchai (Vakarai Division), Batticaloa are the first beneficiaries of the Phase 1 - tsunami response program launched in Batticaloa by AHSRAM (Ashram for Human Self Reliance and Meditation), a local NGO supported by CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission.

CBM is an international NGO who has been actively supporting projects in Sri Lanka for the past 30 years, through locally established NGOs/institutions.

The program to build 115 houses in the Vakarai Division was undertaken by AHSRAM funded by CBM, with plans to build houses for tsunami victims. Of this, twenty-two houses were completed under "Phase 1" in Kirimichchai (Vakarai Division), which were handed over to the beneficiaries at a ceremony recently presided over by C. Punniamoorthy, GA, Batticaloa and the involvement of the community. This is the second handing over of houses in Batticaloa.

Each house consists of 600 sq.ft. floor area costing approximately Rs. 630,000 to Rs. 640,000. The houses are built with a doorway of 3ft. width, making it accessible for people with mobility impairment who need assistance devices such as a wheel-chair.

The second phase of 28 houses in the Mavadiodai village is scheduled to be handed over during end April with 15 more houses identified to be built. Forty-two houses are scheduled to be completed in May in Kirimichchai.

Additionally, eight houses will be built for people with disabilities, conforming to accessibility standards in the built-environment and adapted to their individual needs. According to AHSRAM, Sarvodaya has been rendering their fullest assistance in providing wells, toilets and constructing roads, with the cooperation extended from GTZ and the staff of the DS office.

AHSRAM, primarily supporting Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programs in the East has been involved in many tsunami response programs with the major involvement being the 115 houses in Vakarai Division. Community participation in this project has been to the fullest. Rev. Pon.Anandarajah, (Methodist Church), the Head of AHSRAM said "the people of Kirimichchai can proudly claim that these houses were built with their own hands."

CBM spokesperson Ms. Susanne Wilm - Program Coordinator said, "Ashram and CBM are enjoying a strong partnership in the East, which is very significant to CBM as we fully understand the needs of communities in the war-torn areas which became a clear mandate for CBM's support.

In this context our commitment towards the tsunami-affected people resulted in building houses for those who had lost everything, in the hope that we could assist in restoring their lives. It is our sincere hope that they could now re-establish their own homes."

| News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security |
| Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries | Junior Observer |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.