On December 26, 2004, the coastal regions of Sri Lanka were
devastated by a tsunami that killed approximately 35,000 people
and displaced close to 1 million others. Fortunately, not a single
life was lost at the Grace Care Center. However, the compound
did sustain damage totaling approximately $45,000 and many neighboring
IDP camps were wiped out.
The day after the tsunami struck, VeAhavta’s Chief Medical
Officer, Dr. Rushdi Abdul Cader, sprang into action forming two
emergency medical teams that were the first American healthcare
providers to arrive in Sri Lanka. Under Dr. Cader’s direction,
VeAhavta eventually sent a total of six medical teams to help.
VeAhavta further helped by providing food, clothing, tents,
utensils and safe drinking water to thousands in Trincomalee
and Batticaloa that were affected by the disaster through its
tsunami relief programs which were administered by Rev. Dr. S.
Jeyanesan.
Unfortunately, the tsunami left many people who relied on the
fishing industry in Trincomalee with no way to earn a living.
VeAhavta therefore started a new program called “Lifeboats” to
provide fishermen from a nearby refugee camp with four new boats,
including outboard engines and fishing nets, to replace those
that were lost during the disaster. Pursuant to a written contract
entered into between VeAhavta and the local fisherman’s
union that was entrusted with the boats, twenty five percent
of the income generated from the use of the boats is provided
to needy widows or disabled persons living in local refugee camps,
and another twenty five percent is deposited into a fund that
will be used to purchase additional boats.
On August 15, 2005, the four boats that will make up the initial
Lifeboats fleet were delivered and the program was officially
inaugurated.
“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach
him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Through Lifeboats,
we can help feed a village.
Thanks to our donors and other partners, the Grace Care Center
was fully repaired and restored by the end of February, 2005.
To read reports of our progress, please click on any of the reports
below:*
Our tsunami relief programs are ongoing and need your support
to continue. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to these programs so that we may continue to help those in need.
Thank you for your generosity!
*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
