Aftermath of Tsunami in Sri Lanka: Still in Crisis
Dear Friends,
I normally don't include requests for help in my columns. But the following letter comes from a dear friend and pastor in Sri Lanka, the island nation at the tip of India. As many of you will recall, this was the country hard hit by the tsunami of several years ago. If anyone feels called to assist them in this crisis, you will find their email at the bottom of this letter.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Davis Bunn,
We are now experiencing devastating horror with floods after floods sweeping through our island.
43 people were killed and a million made homeless three weeks ago. Now in the same three districts (north, east, and central provinces) we are in the midst of the second major flood, where 23 people have died and a million made homeless.
More than ten thousand homes have been destroyed or partially damaged. The displaced people are housed in 543 camps. The number of displaced persons continues to rise.
Navy has deployed some 40 lifesaving teams in the affected areas. Large numbers of people are stranded in remote villages. Schools, business establishments, and offices remain closed.
7 Air Force helicopters are engaged in round the clock rescue operation.
Satellite picture shows that the rains will continue for a few more days.
A heartrending experience – when 5 people in the same family were buried alive due to land-slides in our vicinity.
We are now compelled to launch out on a "Mission Mercy" in our own little way and we are looking to you to be a partner in this humanitarian effort.
Immediate relief is to provide 'clothes and dry rations.'
Long term relief is to build houses. We have identified five locations where the homes have been completely destroyed and a rebuilding programme has been put in place. We are awaiting your kind response to these.
We know you will pray for our people who are facing untold hardships.
Awaiting your response – Warm greetings – Donald Fernando
Rev. Don M. Fernando K.I.C.
Galaha Road
8th Mile Post
Hindagala
Kandy
Sri Lanka
His phone number is: +94 11 81 2389502
