I've received the following email from the Spinal Injuries Association in
Sri Lanka.
Dear Friends,
Hope by now you are aware of the human catastrophe that has taken place in
the coastal belt of Sri Lanka and many other countries in South East Asia.
As you know the death toll is mounting by the day and as at today the no. of
deaths reported are over 27,000. It is still unimaginable to figure out the
number of casualties. Close to 10% of our population is severely effected
with the tsunami devastation and it is estimated that one in every twenty
people is homeless. More than 10,000 people have been admitted to hospitals
all over the country.
The tsunami was so strong (9.0 on Richter scale) that even passenger trains
were carried away with the tidal waves, which hit the beaches, and the land
at an 800km/ph speeds which is unbelievable. We are having the real bad
taste of it. As a nation we have had a terrible shock. You could only see
carnage every where.
Like many organisations, we, Spinal Injuries Association of Sri Lanka, are
stepping towards facing this gigantic challenge. No where in the history of
Sri Lanka we have experienced such devastation. Its going to be something we
would have to live with. Because it will at least take another 5-6 years
from now on - to put things back to shape. The Tourist industry and the
Fishing industry have gone to pieces. Water borne disease and other diseases
are to spread soon in the coastal belt.
We have decided to set up a fund to assist people who are badly in need of
our services. We will be focusing mainly on
± People with disabilities and their families who have been displaced.
± People who became disabled due to this natural disaster
Short Term
Phase 1- Visits to camps and hospitals to identify the need and the
requirement
Phase 2 - Urgently provide them with necessary requirements such as primary
products, wheelchairs , commode chairs etc. and offer counselling
Long Term
Address re-settlement issues
How you can help
Spinal Injuries Association is seeking funds locally and internationally to
set up this fund and hope to have a good response from every person and
organisation we approach in this manner. We will be starting to write to as
many organisations as possible to assist us in this most urgent hour.
Please spread this message among your friends too and give us your kind
assistance.
Assistance in material form such as mobility aid devices etc etc. too are
most welcome!
Please let us know how you can help.
Thanking you.
Yours truly,
Spinal Injuries Association
Priyantha Peiris
Chief Co-ordinator
Priyanka Mudalige
Projects Manager
--
**********************
Priyanka Mudalige, Ruvini Weerasingha,
Spinal Injuries Association Sri Lanka, Rheumatology & Rehabilitation
Hospital, PO Box 25, Ragama, Sri Lanka
Email: [log in to unmask] * Tel: (94) 11 2952096 * Fax: (94) 11
2959039
Spinal Injuries Association is registered with the National Council for
Persons with Disabilities
at the Ministry of Social Welfare as a voluntary social services
organization.
(Registration No, MSS/NSPD/R/31)
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