President Mario has informed that our first mission to Batticaloa was a complete success. Besides Mario, the team included our Rotarians Prabhu and Gehan along with several doctors and took a large lorry load of food and medicine. The effort is coordinated with the Rotary Club of Batticaloa; Dr Karunakaran in particular. We will have more details and pictures tomorrow when they return.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Shelter from shelter boxes
Rotarian Gehan and Prabhu setting up the first shelter from a box in Batticaloa. These are donations from Rotary clubs in the UK.
In Thirusenthur, Batticaloa
These are the sad remains of a once happy home in the Thirusenthur area in Batticaloa. Of the 4,500 people who lived in this area only 500 made it through the tsunami.
Kaiser Permanente
Dr Vaji Dharmasena and her colleagues at Kaiser Permanente, the prestigious integrated health services provider in Northern California is working with us on organizing a series of health camps in the Batticaloa area. Chamila is coordinating the effort with Mario and Prabhu who are currently in Batti along with Dr Karunakaran at the Batti General Hospital. Thank you to all at KP.
Pottuvil, Paanama and Galle
We have despatched large amounts of rice, dhal, canned fish and milk powder to Pottuvil, Paanama and Galle yesterday.
The real ground situation
January 04, 2005
Sri Lanka and rest of the world was not prepared for a disaster of this magnitude! For that very reason, we still find it difficult to reach many areas. As you may have learnt already, there are villages that have been washed away by the waves with no trace of their existence. Many individuals, private companies, and many other groups got together to support in many relief operations. We are just one such party. The death toll after tsunami would have been much higher due to hunger if not for the quick action taken by individuals, several groups, and many private/state organizations to get immediate relief for the survival of victims in affected areas. The sad part is - there are many more in need with no exact statistics available at the moment.
It was depressing to learn from one of my group members who returned from Weligama – Galle, on Sunday how people there have been starving for three-four days. Even few people whose houses are habitable are not in a position to cook a meal with the dry rations they get, as their cooking utensils have been washed away. Even those left with little money have no place to buy food, as stores have been washed away as well.
Temporary shelters like temples and churches have no capacity to cook for the large number of victims they are housing. So we do have a need for water, food, and cooking and sanitary facilities. We are in contact with sources to get this organized. Please check the lists of items required on http://www.lankafood.com/ to see the items still in need. With several foreign governments coming into our aid with helicopters, hopefully we will be able to send relief supplies to rescue people in these areas.
Tharanga Gunaratne.
Sri Lanka and rest of the world was not prepared for a disaster of this magnitude! For that very reason, we still find it difficult to reach many areas. As you may have learnt already, there are villages that have been washed away by the waves with no trace of their existence. Many individuals, private companies, and many other groups got together to support in many relief operations. We are just one such party. The death toll after tsunami would have been much higher due to hunger if not for the quick action taken by individuals, several groups, and many private/state organizations to get immediate relief for the survival of victims in affected areas. The sad part is - there are many more in need with no exact statistics available at the moment.
It was depressing to learn from one of my group members who returned from Weligama – Galle, on Sunday how people there have been starving for three-four days. Even few people whose houses are habitable are not in a position to cook a meal with the dry rations they get, as their cooking utensils have been washed away. Even those left with little money have no place to buy food, as stores have been washed away as well.
Temporary shelters like temples and churches have no capacity to cook for the large number of victims they are housing. So we do have a need for water, food, and cooking and sanitary facilities. We are in contact with sources to get this organized. Please check the lists of items required on http://www.lankafood.com/ to see the items still in need. With several foreign governments coming into our aid with helicopters, hopefully we will be able to send relief supplies to rescue people in these areas.
Tharanga Gunaratne.
Monday, January 03, 2005
Large amount medicines to Kalmunai
Past Rotaractor and friend Kumudu Warnakulasooriya has taken along with him a large amount of medicines we collected to the Kalmunai base hospital. Kalmunai, as you know has been very severely damaged.
Dry rations to Kokilai and Arasamalai
We have dispatched a significant amount of dry rations to Kokilai and Arasamalai through Dr Singharaja Delgoda.
Clarification on shelter boxes story
The shelter boxes provided to us by RC of Colombo are going to Batticaloa, and not as indicated by me earlier as Tangalle. The Tangalle boxes were distributed by RC of Colombo. Sorry about that.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Sharing to achieve greater efficiency
1. Medical supplies
We have dispatched some of the large consignment of medical supplies we received from RC of Vienna Point to Killinochchi, Galle, Matara and Tangalle. As you know, our trucks to Batticaloa [our focus area] are stuck due to the floods and will proceed no sooner the flood waters recede.
The remaining supplies have been given to the Rotary District for distribution through the many other clubs that are now active in the relief operation.
2. Shelter boxes
We have got some shelter boxes from the RC of Colombo; donated to them by the RC of Helston-Lizard in the UK. These are all in one units that include outer and inner tents, ground sheets, sleeping blankets, water purification tablets, cooking and drinking containers, flashlights and everything else imaginable for emergency relief. Each of these units can hold at least 10 people.
We thank the RC of Colombo and the RC of Helston-Lizard for the same. The boxes we received were handed over to refugee sites in Tangalle and Talpe by Rotarian Shantha and his crew yesterday; 1 January 2005.
We have dispatched some of the large consignment of medical supplies we received from RC of Vienna Point to Killinochchi, Galle, Matara and Tangalle. As you know, our trucks to Batticaloa [our focus area] are stuck due to the floods and will proceed no sooner the flood waters recede.
The remaining supplies have been given to the Rotary District for distribution through the many other clubs that are now active in the relief operation.
2. Shelter boxes
We have got some shelter boxes from the RC of Colombo; donated to them by the RC of Helston-Lizard in the UK. These are all in one units that include outer and inner tents, ground sheets, sleeping blankets, water purification tablets, cooking and drinking containers, flashlights and everything else imaginable for emergency relief. Each of these units can hold at least 10 people.
We thank the RC of Colombo and the RC of Helston-Lizard for the same. The boxes we received were handed over to refugee sites in Tangalle and Talpe by Rotarian Shantha and his crew yesterday; 1 January 2005.
How Rotarians and their children lend their hands
Today is day-7 after tsunami hit our little island nation.
The warmth of people from around the globe keep us comforted with the assurance that help is very close at hand.
I have always enjoyed being a Rotarian, but I never realized how wonderful it is to be a part of such a kind and generous group of friends who are willing do what it takes, even when it means that they have to put their own personal lives on hold. Tony Melia from UK is one such very considerate person who offered to travel across the globe to help us.
I was amazed by the offer of an 18 year old young lady from Durham who wanted to work with children. Given below is an extract of her mail to us.
There are many like them whose stories you’ll read on this site from time to time.
Tharanga Gunaratne.
===============================
Sat, 1 Jan 2005 09:27:13
Hi, My name is ............. I am eighteen years old and healthy. I have worked with children for 3 years, sometimes with special needs children, and would like to go to Sri Lanka to help.
My parents are members of The Rotary Club of Derwentside and I have discussed with them and they are willing to support me, we are willing to pay for my flight but I don't know how to go about finding an agency that would make use of my services. Can you make suggestions.
===========================================
Sat, 1 Jan 2005 20:51:21
Fellow Rotarians,
I am the past president of the Rotary club of Darwen United Kingdom. We are actively collecting funds for the relief operation
And perhaps could be of further assistance if required. I am a qualified plumber and electrical engineer and have skills in logistics and tele-Communications and am able to fly over and wherever required help. We do also have a number of others with similar skills. Please let us know your requirements?
Tony Melia.
Rotary Club of Darwen.
The warmth of people from around the globe keep us comforted with the assurance that help is very close at hand.
I have always enjoyed being a Rotarian, but I never realized how wonderful it is to be a part of such a kind and generous group of friends who are willing do what it takes, even when it means that they have to put their own personal lives on hold. Tony Melia from UK is one such very considerate person who offered to travel across the globe to help us.
I was amazed by the offer of an 18 year old young lady from Durham who wanted to work with children. Given below is an extract of her mail to us.
There are many like them whose stories you’ll read on this site from time to time.
Tharanga Gunaratne.
===============================
Sat, 1 Jan 2005 09:27:13
Hi, My name is ............. I am eighteen years old and healthy. I have worked with children for 3 years, sometimes with special needs children, and would like to go to Sri Lanka to help.
My parents are members of The Rotary Club of Derwentside and I have discussed with them and they are willing to support me, we are willing to pay for my flight but I don't know how to go about finding an agency that would make use of my services. Can you make suggestions.
===========================================
Sat, 1 Jan 2005 20:51:21
Fellow Rotarians,
I am the past president of the Rotary club of Darwen United Kingdom. We are actively collecting funds for the relief operation
And perhaps could be of further assistance if required. I am a qualified plumber and electrical engineer and have skills in logistics and tele-Communications and am able to fly over and wherever required help. We do also have a number of others with similar skills. Please let us know your requirements?
Tony Melia.
Rotary Club of Darwen.
Please inform us prior to sending medical and related packages
The Government of Sri Lanka bureaucracy has got in the way. Until we are able to clear the unforeseen paperwork jam, please inform us of the following:
1. Complete list of what items are being sent
2. A pro-forma invoice [saying it is humanitarian aid]
3. Packing details
Once we receive the same, we will obtain “approval” from the Health Ministry and then you could load the items on the plane. This does not apply to direct orders through LankaFood.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Rotarian Harsha de Silva
[Telephone +94 77 768 6897 for further information].
1. Complete list of what items are being sent
2. A pro-forma invoice [saying it is humanitarian aid]
3. Packing details
Once we receive the same, we will obtain “approval” from the Health Ministry and then you could load the items on the plane. This does not apply to direct orders through LankaFood.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Rotarian Harsha de Silva
[Telephone +94 77 768 6897 for further information].
Batticaloa mission delayed
We had organized our releif lorries to go to Batticaloa today. We had already linked up with the Rotary Club of Batticaloa and planned out strategy for distribution and health camps with several doctors at the Batticaloa hospital. But late last nighht we had to postpone the mission as it was raining so hard there and apparently some flooding had already started. So that is why we decided this morning to do a mission down to Tangalle. We have rescheduled the mission to Batticaloa for Sunday.
World is closer
Words of encouragement keep flowing in via e-mail and phone along with offers of funds, required supplies, and advice from all corners of the world. Thank you to all for keeping us energized with your generosity.
We take comfort in the feeling that the rest of the world is much closer to us than it physically is. At this very moment, there is a group from Regency heading to Tangalle a coastal town in the south with Shelter Boxes that have been donated to the Rotary Club of Colombo from a Rotary Club in USA. More updates once the team returns.
I wish peace and happiness for all.
Tharanga.
We take comfort in the feeling that the rest of the world is much closer to us than it physically is. At this very moment, there is a group from Regency heading to Tangalle a coastal town in the south with Shelter Boxes that have been donated to the Rotary Club of Colombo from a Rotary Club in USA. More updates once the team returns.
I wish peace and happiness for all.
Tharanga.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Medical supplies from RC of Vienna Point
We received a large consignment of surgical gloves, water purification tablets, first aid kits, antibiotics and several other life saving emergency materials from the Rotary Club of Vienna, Austria the night of December 31st.
Food and medicines pour in
We continue to receive donations of food and medicines. This is how our Cambridge Place warehouse looked like yesterday.
How You Can Help: Cash and Kind Donations
Contact Information
Email: rotaryregency@yahoo.com
Mario Perumal, President +94 77 737 1204
Chamila Wicramasinghe, Charter President/Secretary +94 77 736 4618
Tharanga Gunaratne, Imm. Past President +94 77 738 9075
Cash Contributions in the form of Cheques/Drafts/Money Orders
Beneficiary: "Rotary Club of Colombo Regency"
Account No: 001-003771-002
Bank Name: HSBC
Postal Address: 24 Sir Baron Jayatilleke Mw, Colombo 01, Sri Lanka
SWIFT Address/Bank Sort Code : HSBCLKLX
US Correspondent Bank: HSBC NY
ABA Number: 021001088
Supplies Please specify the beneficiary as "Rotary International, District 3220 - Sri Lanka, Rotary Club of Colombo Regency", 15 Cambridge Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. However, please email us at rotaryregency@yahoo.com with your full name, contact details and packing lists before mailing any supplies so that we can arrange for duty waivers.
LankaFood You can also log onto http://www.lankafood.com/ and select the items you would like to sponsor, and purchase online. Details of items needed and their rates will be published on this site within the next 24 hours.
Mini Health Camps in Matara District
This post is late, but would like to share it anyway.
We mobilized immediately after the Tsunami. With one and a half days of donations, RCCR joined Dr Lakshman Weerasena and 15 other doctors and took dry rations and medicines along interior roads to Matara, Dickwella and Tangalle on 27 December. The group included 4 surgeons and 11 GPs. They held 7 mini health camps covering over 3,000 people. They dressed wounds and treated for pain, fever, diarrhoea, and lung infections among others.
Rotarian Prabhu says there were so many bodies lying and the Matara hospital smelt really bad. They had heard so many heart rendering stories. He could not believe people begging for medicine. He said it looked like the just after the Hiroshima bombing. He saw a crocodile that had such a feast he was unable to move.
We are ever so thankful for Dr Lakshman Weerasena and his team who always joins up with RCCR on health camps on many parts of the country.
We mobilized immediately after the Tsunami. With one and a half days of donations, RCCR joined Dr Lakshman Weerasena and 15 other doctors and took dry rations and medicines along interior roads to Matara, Dickwella and Tangalle on 27 December. The group included 4 surgeons and 11 GPs. They held 7 mini health camps covering over 3,000 people. They dressed wounds and treated for pain, fever, diarrhoea, and lung infections among others.
Rotarian Prabhu says there were so many bodies lying and the Matara hospital smelt really bad. They had heard so many heart rendering stories. He could not believe people begging for medicine. He said it looked like the just after the Hiroshima bombing. He saw a crocodile that had such a feast he was unable to move.
We are ever so thankful for Dr Lakshman Weerasena and his team who always joins up with RCCR on health camps on many parts of the country.
Matara health camp
Another mini health camp in the Matara district. We organized the camps whereever people gathered.
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