Human Development Centre (HUDEC) - Caritas Jaffna
Social Arm of the Catholic Church in the Jaffna Diocese

Tsunami Disaster

Response of HUDEC

HUDEC Director Fr.C.G.Jeyakumar's address to the clergy & Religious of the Jaffna Diocese on 30^th December 2004

Dear Friends,

As you are well aware, Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts of the Jaffna Diocese have been adversely affected due to the Tsunami tidal waves.  A crisis situation caught us unawares.

In this backdrop, first of all I would like to thank all of you for your generous and timely response in various ways.

From the moment we heard of the disaster, we geared ourselves to face the crisis.

HUDEC on a Mission

1.    On the spot

Beginning with Chempianpattu, we visited all the affected areas and people who are accommodated in welfare centres.  The local churches rose to the occasion; the Bishop, priests, religious, laity and people of goodwill assisted us during these visits; and it was an experience of solidarity.

2.   Prompt Action

Based on our visits, urgent needs were identified and we moved into action.

2.1 On the same day itself (26-12-04) we dispatched a mobile medical unit of the Holy Cross sisters to the welfare centre at Palai, which unit extended its services to Mullaitivu the next day.  At present, two medical teams are deployed, one in the Jaffna District and the other in Mullaitivu, consisting of the Holy Cross sisters.

The Bishop of Mannar, OLR Church, the community centres at Koyyaththottam, Kulamangal parish, Tobacco Company and the HUDEC responded immediately with the much-needed medical supplies.

2.2 Relief Items

Requests were flowing in for mats, bed sheets, plastic wares, clothes, lamps, etc..
With the generous support and the rapid response from the OLR, St.James, St.Johns, Our Lady of Rosary/Colobogam, Manipay, Mathagal, Annaicoddai, St.Benedict's, Kulamangal, Mareesankoodal, Passaiyoor parishes, Rosarians, Sri Lanka Jusuits; relief items were immediately distributed to welfare centres in Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts.  The lorry loads of relief items worth LKR.400,000/- are on their way to Mullaitivu today (30-12-04).

In addition HUDEC from its resources purchased pots & pans, bed sheets, mats, plastic cups and plates, lamps are dispatched them to the needy.

We are grateful to the parishes which are dispatching relief items directly to various welfare centres.

Priests who are in-charge of some of the welfare centres were given emergency financial assistance and they are assured of further helps, when needed.

2.3 Appeal to Friends, Relatives and Funding Partners.

We were greatly consoled by the numerous offers of help that we received from abroad.  In addition our appeal to various peoples and organisations were responded with generosity.

2.4 Consoling the Victims

During our visits, we discovered that much more than material relief, people were in great need of consolation of hearts.  We have begun deploying people to some of the welfare centres to cater to this need.

The Counselling Unit of the General Hospital of Jaffna, has included a HUDEC representative in their team.

2.5 Women's personal needs

During our visits, it was a discovery that the private needs of women were not met by any.  We have taken steps to cater to their such needs.  The Rosarians are involved in this endeavour, at present.

3.    Co-ordination and Communication

3.1 We are very much invoved with the Task Forces that are established to co-ordinate relief work in Jaffna and Mullaitivu districts.  These task forces consists of the respective Gas, divisional Secretaries, representatives of the political wing of the LTTE and the representatives of the Consortium of NGOs.

During our visits we discovered that a proper date collection was lacking in at the welfare centres.

Hence we have submitted formats for a comprehensive data collection to the Task Force in Jaffna district, which was accepted with gratitude and appreciation.

In addition we have offered 20 persons to facilitate data collection.

There were meetings held at Nelliady, puthukkadu and Mulliyawalai by the respective Task Forces.  We are very much part of these meetings.

In addition we are actively involved with the consortium of NGOs.

3.2 A concise situation report has been prepared by us which is in circulation.  Photographs taken at the sites of disaster has been circulated locally and internationally.

Anyone concerned could visit our newly established website (http://www.jaffnaappeal.blogspot.com) for further information.

(Kindly give email addresses of yours or of your friends which could be included in our mail list).

4.    Assurance of Support

• 1. from Caritas partners ( they are already in Colombo)
• 2. Support from priests, religious, friends, relatives, within and without the country.

Medical team from Portugal and South Korea.

5.    Urgent requests - personnel

Persons familiar with medical care
Persons familiar with counselling
Volunteers for welfare centres.

6.    Looking into the future

The people have been displaced and are languishing at welfare centres at the houses of friends and relatives.  A three-phase programme is envisioned by us in collaboration with other organisations.

6.1 Immediate and ongoing relief (materials and non-material)
6.2 Intermediate Preparation for resettlement

Road clearance
Purification of drinking water resources
Tackling threats posed by land mines
Securing houses, which are being occupied by the armed forces etc.

6.3 The re-settlement

We take this opportunity to thank one and all who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us in responding to the current crisis.  We look forward to your ongoing co-operation and support.


Fr.C.G.Jeyakumar
Director
HUDEC - Caritas Jaffna