TRO’S APPEAL FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Killinochi
28.12.2004
Urgent Humanitarian Relief Appeal by
TRO Sri Lanka
Tsunami
The impact of the recent Tsunami is being described as the worst diaster to hit Southern
and South East Asia. The full extent of the tragedy is still being counted and there is
widespread view that the initial impact is only the beginning of a major tragedy to unfold
in the near future due to disease and starvation. The loss of lives and properties and the
destruction of physical and social infrastructure have thrown a major humanitarian
challenge.
TRO Sri Lanka
Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) Sri Lanka is a registered humanitarian
organization in Sri Lanka and a member of the consortium of humanitarian organizations
and has been in operation for over 19 years.
TRO currently partners with multilateral and UN Agencies and several INGOs in major
rehabilitation and reconstruction projects and programmes in the North-East of Sri Lanka.
TRO has district offices and sub-offices in each of the eight districts in the North-East of
Sri Lanka and employees over 3500 paid staff.
During its 19 years of operation TRO has successfully managed similar emergency
situations caused by the war that prevailed for over 20 years. In the year 1995 over
500,000 people were displaced from the Northern Sri Lanka and TRO was able to play a
significant role in providing much needed urgent relief needs.
Addressing the immediate relief needs of the North-East of Sri Lanka caused by
Tsunami
1
TRO’S APPEAL FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Impact of Tsunami in the North-East of Sri Lanka
The full extent of the damage is still being established, however, as of 27.12.2004 the
following damages has been established:
Batticlaoa, amparai, trincomallee districts in eastern provinces, mullittivu and Jaffna in
the north has been badly affected. The waves have entered up to 3km inside the affected
villages in the above districts.
The initial assessment indicates more than 7400 deaths. More than 11417 people are
affected with various types of injuries. Nearly half a million people are displaced from
their homes and moved to interior villages and towns.
Summary of impact
Districts
Displaced Deaths Injured Situation
20000
2200
300 Rescue Operation Continuing
Amparai
118000
1860
2100 Rescue Operation Continuing
Batticaloa
137000
700
3400 Rescue Operation Continuing
Trincomalle
97000
1300
3800 Rescue Operation Continuing
Mullitivu
110000
1600
1800 Rescue Operation Continuing
Jaffna
6000
Nil
17 Rescue Operation Completed
Mannar
Total
488000
7660
11417
These figures would be updated as and when further information is received.
TRO’s Current Relief Efforts
TRO has effectively formed significant number of volunteer groups through its district
offices structures and are currently in the coalface dealing with the immediate challenges.
TRO volunteers along with other local NGOs, some international NGOs and LTTE’s
medical units are currently engaged in the rescue and efforts to provide relief.
The initial action by TRO is centered on the provision of food, drinking water, medical
assistance and clearing the dead and debris.
The extent of the problem demands significantly higher resources and its limited
resources are hampering its efforts. TRO currently has significant capacity to address the
immediate needs and is also in a position to increase its capacity through forming further
volunteer groups and Diaspora experts.
Addressing the immediate relief needs of the North-East of Sri Lanka caused by
Tsunami
2
TRO’S APPEAL FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
TRO’s appeal to the International Community
TRO appeals to the international community to provide much needed assistance to meet
this enormous challenge. TRO staff and volunteers are locals who have faced the brunt of
this devastation and are working with passion to help their loved ones.
TRO has made calls to Diaspora through its 14 overseas offices to solicit financial and
physical assistance to deal with operational challenges and for expert assistance. We
anticipate significant overseas expert volunteers in the next few days to come.
The following are urgent requirements to attend to the immediate phase:
1. Food ( includes milk powder, precooked food etc.) for 80 000 familes / 3 time
meals for two week.
2. Non food items ( includes kitchen utils, 100 000mats etc)
3. Clothing ( spl. concern for women and children)
4. Drugs (paracetamol, anti biotics, dressings, suture material, disposable syringes
etc)
5. water purification tablets ( 500 000) and water containers (5 lit. capacity)
6. Temporary shelters (25,000tents for afamily of 4 and 50 medical tents)
7. portable generators (50)
The above phase of operation would be followed-up by preventive efforts to address
water born diseases. TRO is taking necessary efforts to gather required human and
material resources to commence this face as soon as possible.
TRO believes that appropriate and immediate efforts taken at this point of juncture would
avoid extensive further human tragedy.
TRO estimates that over 2 million us dollars is required to address this in any meaningful
manner and appeal to the international community to assist the people who are devastated
by the extent of this calamity.
Director
Disaster management unit
TRO
for further contacts.
00 94 112 693254 ( Colombo)
00 94 21 228 3947 (killinochi)
cpara@hotmail.com
www.troonline.org
Addressing the immediate relief needs of the North-East of Sri Lanka caused by
Tsunami
3