Asi@news

N° 2

News Bulletin from the International General Council on the disaster in Asia

 

 

Indian Vincentians getting organized…

 

On 9th Jan., there was a meeting of all the Presidents of Central Councils in Tsunami affected area in India. They have submitted their reports. These reports are passed on to a six member national level disaster committee for their suggestion. I also made a second visit to some of the worst affected villages.

 

The affected people have mostly returned either to their houses or to some of their relatives’. Those who have no place to go are still in the camps. They are not many and food is supplied all affected people everyday. Many organisations, including our Society, have dumped them with lot of things, such as, dress, blankets, utensils, bread, biscuits, stoves, mats, even toffees and dolls for children. But that this cannot and will go not on for ever. They should have a place of their own and income of their own. That is human dignity. Govt. is planning for house construction. It will take some time. In the meantime, temporary thatched sheds are made for each family.

 

Distribution of food in a camp in India

We have asked our Presidents, as a first step, to enroll every affected family under the Government, so that they are eligible for all present and future benefits. Secondly, we have asked them to go to deep and remote places with some help where others have not reached. Many agencies have gone along the main road and so it is necessary our Vincentians go to remote places.

Thirdly, we are collecting details of children orphaned or semi orphaned by Tsunami, so that our Society can adopt them for education on long term basis.

 

We will finalise our plan of action on 25th of Jan. In the meantime, our Vincentians are always available in the affected areas for any immediate relief. From the National Council, we have forwarded, necessary payment, depending on their need, as first instalment.

 

As an example of what was done by Indian SSVP, and to illustrate Mr Pandian’s explanations, a report from M. Xavier James Raj, President, of Kottar Central Council, will be presented in the next issue of Asi@news.

 

(source : Mr. Joseph Pandian, National Council of India President)

Destruction in Indonesia

Indonesia   The National Council of Indonesia is having hard thinking to aid all necessary things for Aceh through the Bishop of Medan Diocese. We also support the fund in Money where it will be distributed next week by our President Bro Alfonso who will take a visit to our Kristus Raja Conference and to the Bishop in Medan and to the Bishop in Medan, to distribute more aid to the Victimes in Aceh. . (source : report from the National Council)

 

Malaysia

 

As regards to Malaysia which suffered about 68 casualties in the tsunami disaster, I've been informed that the Malaysian Government is taking "full care" of the victims and survivors' financial and material needs etc. However, our SSVP Conferences and Diocesan Council of Penang have already sent Vincentians to the affected villages to help in the general clean-up and repair of the houses damaged by the waves and subsequent flooding.

(sourec : report from Asia Group 2 Coordinator; Mr Thomas Tan)

 

 

Malaysian SSVP solidarity to Indonesia !   The Malaysian SSVP keeps on helping our Indonesian Brothers through the “Ozanam Project”, in collaboration with the archdiocesan Office of human Development and the Jesuit Refugee Service Centre in Medan and Aceh : another 5 containers of essential supplies (drinking water dried food, biscuits, instant noodles, packet milk, soya bean, packet clothes) are awaiting shipment this week   Bro. Peter Goh, National President of Malaysia, just returned from an on-site visit to Medan and Aceh with the President of the Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia. The local Conferences are liaising with their respective parish priests, and, where there are no Conferences, help is sought to the Integral Human Development Group and parish council members.   (Sources : Thomas Tan, Asia Group 2 Coordinator and “Project Ozanam launched to help tsunami victims”, Catholic Herald of Malaysia, 16th January 2005)

Arrival of goods in Medan

“I wish to transmit my condolences to you after the natural disasters you have suffered. This is really the end of the world, as St John has described in the Apocalypses.   That is why I am asking you to pray endlessly for God to protect you, and to welcome by His side the souls of our brothers and sisters who have perished in these events.   I am a Rwandese refugee in Congo Brazzaville, in central Africa, and when I saw that images on television, I recalled the genocide that took place in my country, in which innocents were dying with no real cause. That is why I thank God for protecting me over these 10 years in exile.   So cheer up! And do not lose hope! I have nothing to send you, but I will pray for you, and God will hear me.”   A Conference Member in Congo Brazzaville

The initiatives of the International SVP

 

Philippines

 

The National Council of the Philippines, has sent a contribution for the Asian Disaster fund, accompanied by a message: “Please accept our humble contribution for the funds needed to help rehabilitate the victims of the recent earthquake/tsunami in our neighboring countries in Asia. This represents the token of our solidarity with the poor victims from our Council and Conference members.

 

We understand very well the feeling of devastation of those who lost their loves ones as well as their homes. Late November 2004 our country was also hit by one the worst disaster (typhoons, landslides and floods) affecting 3 major towns of Quezon Province where over 1,000 dead bodies have been recovered and hundreds more were missing. The National Council had responded to this and at present in the process of doing rehabilitation work in the area.”

 

Our prayers go with this message that those who suffered will rise up soon to resume their normal lives. May God give special blessings also to our brother and sister Vincentians who are involved in the rehabilitation work especially for the poor victims.”

(Mr. Salvador G. Silverio, National President, SSVP Philippines)

 

New Zealand

 

The National Council of New Zealand has been supporting its Twin Country Sri Lanka, in contact with the National Council, sending 133.000 NZ $ (72.000 euros). From now on, New Zealand has decided to send all its funds through the ICG. We will be informing of the use the National Council of Sri Lanka is planning to do of these funds.

 

The Involvement of the International Council General

 

At the occasion of the Permanent Section meeting, that will take place in Salamanca (Spain) in April, 2005, the International President General has taken the decision of inviting a representative of the Society of the Tsunami affected countries, along with the “main contributor” countries. An entire day meeting will be dedicated to the Tsunami disaster on this occasion, in order to discuss the long term basis work plans that have to be set up.

The Tsunami will also be one main discussion subject in the Asia Group 2 meeting, which will be taking place in May, in Bali, Indonesia.   After his visit to Sri Lanka, Mr. Valentine Gonsalves has also visited India, participating in the evaluation work that will allow the ICG to manage as well as possible the aftermath of the tragedy, on a long term basis.

 

The International Council, last, has set up a document on the Application and Accountability Process for Utilisation of the Asian Disaster Fund. The documents, that involves Twin Donor Countries, has been sent to the 4 worst affected countries namely Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand and the donor Twinned National Councils of Australia and New Zealand. This process will allow the Technical Commission of the ICG to have a clear presentation of all projects, and to administer the Asian Disaster Fund, in collaboration with the National Councils and the Structure (International Vice President, Coordinators, Twin Countries). It will be presented more completely in a further Asi@news issue.

 

 

Balance of fund movements (in Euros at 26 january 2005)

Donor / recipient	Received / Promised	Sent	Country to country funds (twinning)
At 14/01/2005 (see Asi@news 1)	103,785.00 53,785 / 50.000	2,290.00
Council New Zealand to Sri Lanka			72,000.00
Council Belgium	10,000.00
Council England / Wales	50,000.00
Other Councils (Germany, Argentina, Malta, Philippines)	6,738.00 5,983 / 755
Individuals, Conferences	2,112.00
Total	172.635,00 61,880 / 110.755	2,290.00	72,000.00
	170,345.00 Including 59,590.00 actually up to date

 

 

 

 

All the money raised and sent to the General Council will be forwarded to the countries involved as soon as possible. It is very important that these funds pass through the General Council to ensure good management and good use of these funds which are sometimes vital for precise and definite projects. You can send your funds to:

Société de St. Vincent de Paul Conseil Général International 5, rue du Prés-aux-Clercs 75007 Paris, FRANCE   Or by T/T transfer: Banque CIC- Paris Bac 2 Bd Raspail 75007 Paris, FRANCE   Account Nb. FR76 3006 6100 4100 0105 8120 129 Please specify “For the Asian Disaster fund”

 

Even though a great amount of money is needed, each contribution, no matter how modest, has the same symbolic value; it is a sign of fraternity and solidarity; a small amount sent by a country with little means involves a great effort, which true worth will be appreciated.

                                                          

 

But let us not forget…

 

The National Council of Scotland has just sent an extra £ 28.000,00 (40.275 euros) in order to continue our work in Sudan, helping the Darfour refugees… the work of the SSVP there is still very active, as a long term project has been set up by the international Society.