Support for the victims of the Tsunami

On December 26th, 2004, an earthquake of unforeseen amplitude struck South East Asia. A giant wave swept away 250,000 lives, of whom more than a third were children. A wave which made more than 5 million people homeless. A wave which will affect an entire generation of an already deprived population. Children Action has chosen to be involved in the reconstruction phase being ready to invest for the long term in the most rigorous and efficient way.

Therefore, the Foundation has decided to participate in Sri Lanka, in the reconstruction of several villages, providing new homes to affected families and work to the local community, thus involving them fully in the reconstruction of their villages.

To rebuild step by step

Since  the Tsunami, Children Action rebuilt 182 new houses for families who had lost their homes in villages on the South coast, in the Galle District. Furthermore, Children Action undertook the renovation of 192 houses partially damaged during the Tsunami (see video here).  

These houses have transformed the lives of 374 families, including 469 children.

This project has been set up in collaboration with the Foundation of Goodness (a Srilankan Foundation www.unconditionalcompassion.com).

Quality Control

SGS has accepted to freely provide Children Action with the expertise and logistical support that they already have in the field. Their Colombo office, in Sri Lanka since 1955, has performed the Foundation of Goodness's audit, ascertaining the competence and the ethics of our local partner. They have also followed the project ensuring the quality construction of the buildings, compliance with budgets and the efficent use of the funds.

Click Audit SGS Phase I 

Click Audit SGS Phase II

Click Audit SGS Phase III

Click Audit SGS renovation Phase

Cost

Cost of an equipped house (water and electricity suply + essential items): approx. CHF 4 900 (3 000 €)
Cost of the renovation for an house : approx. CHF 1 100 (700 €)

Team

Project leader in Sri Lanka, Kushil Gunasekera, President of the Foundation of Goodness
Sri Lanka project advisor in Geneva: Chinta Rajap, UN representative, Geneva