Relief effort in Kalametiya > Project activities

Providing immediate relief
After making a preliminary rapid assessment in Kalametiya, the following was undertaken:
Collection and distribution of dry rations, water, medicine, clothes, and other basic necessities. 500 packs were distributed to the Kalametiya, Gurupokuna and South Batatha villages during 2 - 3 January 2005.
Assistance was also provided in cleaning properties/houses affected by the tsunami.

School supplies for 30 children in the Kalametiya village whose houses were destroyed by the tsunami were distributed. Similar school supplies were also collected for 12 families in the Gurupokuna village whose houses were damaged. These items were distributed during 9 – 10 January 2005. (see project completion report. pdf 139 kb) 33 bicycles were distributed to the displaced community from Kalametiya village at the end of January 2005. (see project completion report. pdf 706 kb)

The funds for these activities were raised through generous contributions obtained in cash and kind, soon after the tsunami disaster. In addition, an appeal to ‘sponsor’ a child’s school supplies or a bicycle was launched and successfully covered the costs incurred for the purchase of these additional items. The total cost for this phase of the project was approximately Rs.400,000 .

Providing counseling
Villages in Kalametiya comprise of close-knit communities with strong social networks. The tsunami disaster that caused the loss of life in villages such as Gurupokuna and Kalametiya has therefore had a devastating impact on not just the immediate families but also on the rest of the community. For example, in Kalametiya village where nine lives were lost, a number of them children, the entire village is in a state of shock and are grieving for the loss of these lives. Many others had narrowly escaped the same fate. Whilst the physical damage is all too evident, it is obvious that the psychological impacts on the individual and the community, warrant equal attention if rehabilitation efforts are to succeed in the long term.

The painful emotions in the aftermath of the tsunami are considered by professional counsellors to be part of the natural process of grief. As many people begin to overcome these acute feelings after about 4- 6 weeks, therapy or counseling may commence. At this point, the KRDT will liaise with a professional counseling group and obtain its help to provide appropriate counseling in consultation with the village leaders. The KRDT hopes to provide selected community members with basic training in counseling so that they can provide these services on a more long-term basis within their own villages.

Resumption and Rehabilitation of Livelihoods
In the South Batatha, Gurupokuna and Hathagala GN divisions in Kalametiya, a majority of households (with the exception of Hathagala village) are either directly or indirectly dependent on the fishing industry. The Tsunami therefore has had serious consequences on their livelihoods and main source of income.

A rapid assessment (house-to-house interviews and group meetings) carried out soon after the Tsunami struck with the South Batatha fisheries co-operative and fisheries inspection officer for South Batatha and Kalametiya, revealed that almost the entire fleet of fishing boats in the villages had been either damaged or destroyed.

Rehabilitation and rebuilding houses
A preliminary rapid assessment in the affected villages in the South Batatha, Gurupokuna and Hathagala GN divisions revealed that Kalametiya village was the most badly affected with the entire village (31 houses) being destroyed. In Gurupokuna approximately 12 houses were damaged. The displaced community from Kalametiya has temporary shelter in the local Buddhist temple in Kiula, while some families were staying with relatives in nearby villages. Brief interviews were carried out with the household heads of the 31 families and they all indicated that they did not feel comfortable rebuilding their houses in the original location of the village which was adjacent to the beach, but preferred to be relocated closer to the main road. The Ambalantota Divisional Secretariat has allocated land for reconstructing this village about 3km from the beach, and several NGOs have agreed to fund the construction. The KRDT will liaise with the different implementors to ensure the design of these houses reflect the needs of the recipient community.