Urgent!!! Youth to Youth Disaster Relief
Please post widely

Dear Friends,

The Youth Leadership Support Network has a relationship in Sri Lanka with a youth group called FOUNDATION FOR CO-EXISTENCE. FOUNDATION FOR CO-EXISTENCE focuses on youth issues at the grass roots level. They have been organizing skill development for displaced youth, culture for peace: community street drama group (multi-ethnic), and writers and artists for peace. They were busy preparing a street drama festival program in Trincomalee when disaster struck. They are now in the front-lines of rescue and relief efforts.

Since the disaster of December 26th, FOUNDATION FOR CO-EXISTENCE has been solely focused on emergency support for thousands of families in desperate situations. They just formed the Civil Society Initiative for Relief and Reconstruction with partner groups in Sri Lanka. They need our support today.

Please read the following message from Sri Lanka. Please send copies of your messages to info@worldyouth.org so we can document our support efforts.

Solidarity,

Sheila Mirza, Youth Organizer
Douglas Calvin, Founding Director
Youth Leadership Support Network
www.worldyouth.org

please keep checking our website: www.fceoex.com for the latest updates.

Emily Paul
Foundation for Co-Existence
www.fcoex.com

Civil Society Initiative for Relief and Reconstruction

We Need Your HELP - IMMEDIATELY

With over 2 million displaced in Sri Lanka right now,
Over 30,000 having lost their lives,
Thousands of homes and habitats devastated,
And Almost all infrastructures in more than 08 districts destroyed…

Sri Lanka is challenged with recovery from the biggest natural disaster in its history.

All roads along the coast from Kalutara to Hambantota, Jaffna to Mullaitivu, Trincomalee to Batticaloa and Ampara are devastated. Roads, houses, schools, hotels and infrastructures have been destroyed. Immediate relief work and humanitarian assistance has commenced, however recovery is going to take more than what can be alleviated by immediate efforts. Immediate needs include food items, clothing, blankets and mats, medical services, essential drugs, water purification tablets and oral re-hydration tablets/powder, drinking water, white cloth and baby food.

There are no words to explain the agony and trauma endured and the ensuing dependency on the kindness, generosity and solidarity of others.

The Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE), Sewa Lanka Foundation (SLF) and the National Anti-War Front (NAWF) have jointly formed the Civil Society Initiative for Relief and Reconstruction to organize emergency relief and humanitarian aid to the thousands of victims of the disaster and to involve intermediate and longer term reconstruction. This joint venture for relief work to provide humanitarian assistance commenced with an initial contribution from these three organizations. Each organization has a strong presence in these regions through their branch offices, Island wide networks of over 1000 civil society organizations in peace building and development activities, and a combined staff capacity of over 500. Contacts have been established with the government, LTTE, INGOs and bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies based in Sri Lanka to ensure just and fair relief and reconstruction services across the ethnic and district boundaries. The civil society networks have been broaden to ensure inclusive approach of civil society to promote collaborative efforts and to share the responsibilities collectively in building the future of the victims living in all devastated areas of the country.

Already, the organizations have developed several centers for food and medical supplies to be received and are in agreement with two media institutions, the Young Asia Television and MTV, a popular TV and radio channel for publicity of the efforts and to disseminate information. The Information Center of FCE has been strengthened by creating a unit to gather information regarding the camps, the number of people affected, and their needs. Working together with these organizations will expand cooperation with other civil society organizations. A daily meeting of this initiative taking place at 6.00 p.m. with inclusive participation of civil society organizations, state representatives and representatives of international agencies government will provide opportunity for interaction with other stakeholders, sharing of information and strengthening understanding and collaboration.

Initiatives have been taken to appoint a team of experts with the support of INGOs to plan the intermediate and long term reconstruction in all affected districts.

This is an occasion to pool our efforts together and demonstrate our solidarity through meaningful actions that transcend boundaries. It is a pity that this disaster occurred as people were attempting to pass the decisive crossroad in efforts to transform the ethnic conflict and to build sustainable peace. Let us take this challenge to build our future together towards our shared goals as equals.

We know, you as Sri Lankans, belonging to different nationalities/ethnicities, and/or as friends of Sri Lankans, are looking forward to help the people of Sri Lanka at this moment of trauma and tragedy. Many of you have written to ask how you can help, trying to source the best means of transmitting money or donating your services.

PLEASE join us in mobilizing funds. It is URGENT. The needs are enormous. Several pledges for funding have been received. Days do matter. To help this collaborative endeavour, you can transfer funds to the shared account listed below. Please note that every little bit counts. Even if you forego a few coffees or drinks this week to make a donation – be assured, it matters.

Total accountability and transparency and non discriminatory services are ensured in this relief and reconstruction effort. All contributions will be acknowledged with a receipt.

The bank account details are as follows:
Bank: HSBC
Address: Colpetty Branch, 51A Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
SWIFT CODE: HSBCLKLX
Account Name: Foundation for Co-Existence – Disaster Fund
Account Number: 003-078219-003

Please feel free to e-mail us for further information or clarification: FCE - tsunamiaid@fcoex.com or foundation@fcoex.com, NAWF -nawf@eureka.lk, Sewa Lanka – sewahq@sri.lanka.net.

Further details about the partner organizations are available via their individual websites:
FCE – www.fcoex.com, Sewa Lanka – www.sewalanka.org, NAWF – www.nawf.lk
.

The general appeal for assistance is attached for your perusal. Please feel free to forward this email and the attachment to any friends, family or concerned persons.

Many thanks in advance for your support and contribution (in kind or financial).

Yours faithfully,

FCE, Sewa Lanka, NAWF




EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN AID
URGENT APPEAL
Introduction:
Sri Lanka is faced with the biggest natural disaster in its history with the tidal waves hitting in its coastal regions. The final death toll is yet to be counted, but feared to be beyond 30,000. Nearly two million people have been displaced and several hundred thousand families have lost their homes.

The Foundation for Coexistence (FCE), Seva Lanka Foundation (SLF), the National Anti War Front (NAWF) and Young Asia Television (YATV) have formed a civil society coalition to organize emergency relief and humanitarian aid to the thousands of victims of the disaster that has devastated the eastern, northern and southern costal areas.

The relief work to provide humanitarian assistance has already commenced with the initial contribution from these organizations. The four organizations have a very strong presence in these regions through their branch offices, wide spread networks of peace building and development activities and its staff capacity of over 500.

Most of the areas affected due to this natural disaster are the areas where the organizations are involved in peace, reconciliation and development activities. The arrangements have already begun to mobilize the networks and constituencies to organize the work in the respective districts. The Seva Lanka with its regional offices and personnel will concentrate in the northern province and collaborate in the eastern province. The Foundation for Coexistence, which has a strong presence with its full time field staff and networks in the eastern province will take charge of the responsibilities in all three districts in the eastern province. The NAWF, the largest peace civil society network which was founded jointly by several leading NGOs including the
Foundation for Coexistence, the Movement for Defense of Democratic Rights, National Peace Council, Uva Community Development Centre, Hill Country Assembly, Prassanni, Inter- Religious Peace Foundation, Centre for Society and Religion and Kelanimitiyawa Podhu Jana Udhanaya, have mobilized 14 sectoral networks of trade unions, teachers, women, youth, students, professional, artists, writers etc along with its district based networks will take charge of work in Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts. YATV will document the situation and the relief efforts across the island.

The preparatory work has already started in all the effected districts and the network partners in these districts are being mobilized. Required resources need to be mobilized to conduct the operation. There are several spontaneous moves by various groups and concerned citizens to collect relief items to distribute to the victims. There is a need to coordinate the distribution to ensure fair distribution to the victims. Further, past experience of several humanitarian agencies indicate that the lack of coordination of relief supplies and information on urgent requirements to the remote areas have resulted over supply to some areas that may have better transport or communication facilities and insufficient supply to remote areas.

Several media institutions conducting live talk shows and advising public on relief are not providing correct information and/or over emphasizing areas of their choice. This may influence organizations and citizens groups to concentrate their efforts in selected areas and to ignore other more affected areas.

Therefore, there is a great need to gather proper information on urgent needs and to coordinate relief supplies to ensure fair distribution to victims.

The organization:
The four organizations are negotiating with local and international NGO and other civil society organizations such as trade unions, media institutions to broaden the coalition. Already, a partnership agreement has been made with Sirasa, a media institution conducting TV and radio channels in all three languages and they have agreed to meet the cost of transportation of relief items to the affected areas and to provide necessary publicity through their channels.

Further, it is important as civil society organizations engage with public to demonstrate our solidarity with victims and people of the areas and to share their efforts to overcome from the tragedies and suffering. This intervention will also strengthen our legitimacy and the constituencies for future initiatives.

Entire operation will be conducted in a transparent manner in collaboration and coordination with the government structures in the districts and civil society organizations at the national and district levels. Initiatives have been made to identify most important needs to the victims and to communicate to the authorities. Closer relationship and communications will be maintained with the government relief operations and other institutions.

Arrangements will also be made to organize the victims in the relief camps and other places by promoting their collaborative efforts to overcome their difficulties collectively to restore their normal life.

While providing immediate humanitarian assistance to the victims, efforts will be made to look towards the intermediate and long term need to restore their normal life.

The Requirements
The need of the hour is food in bulk amounts. As processed and cooked food can not be moved fast to long distance, it is necessary to transport dry rations that could be cooked in the camps.
The immediate requirements are,
1. Rice,
2. Dhal,
3. Dry fish
4. Milk food for infants and small children
Meanwhile, there is a serious shortage of medicine, medical material and medical personnel.
While the GMOA is currently trying to mobilize medical staff and there are other private sector personnel willing to rush in to those area, the dire need is in securing medicine such as,
1. Panadol
2. Antibiotics
3. Pain killers
4. Cotton wool
5. Bandages
6. Plasters etc.

Water is contaminated and therefore, infection can cause health problems. Emphasis will have to be given to prevent the spread of disease in these areas. The organizations were able to identify nearly 10 doctors and para-medical personnel who are willing to travel to the affected areas to assist victims by organizing medical relief their respective camps or areas. Mobile medical relief teams will be sent to the affected areas to provide medical relief. This will be done in collaboration with the government health authorities.
Logistics in moving the relief are being worked out to ensure fair distribution of relief of most essential items.

Estimated financial requirements:
The estimate is done on the basis of initial information gathered from the districts to provide immediate humanitarian assistance. The three organizations formed this coalition have contributed rupees one million each to start the relief operation. Collection centers have been organized and people sending their collected items to these centers. First consignment of emergency relief has already been dispatched to Batticaloa and Mullaitivu.