Asi@news

N° 8 – 25 January 2006

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

 

Since the Tsunami disaster took place in South East Asia, Council General has been periodically publishing this little newsletter, gathering information and news about the work in the affected countries. Now, as several major disasters have also taken place at the end of 2005, its range has to be widened. This issue will include news on the Pakistan Earthquake. Our next issue shall be extended to other continents, so that may be the last issue of “Asi@news”. You can still send your news items, questions or comments on ssvp.tsunami@ozanet.org

 

 

PAKISTAN

 

The earthquake which struck the northern part of Pakistan on the 8th of October , 2005 was the worst in its history. Almost 3 million people were affected by the earthquake, besides 100,000 deaths.

The Board of the National Council of the Society in Pakistan met immediately, as all the country did, to raise funds and help. There was need of food, clothing, medicine, housing, etc. but the major requirement of urgency was the equipment and heavy machinery to save lives of people that were lying trapped in the debris of their homes, and buried under the huge landslides that took place.

Example of the damages

 

Winter was fast approaching and the Board decided that the easiest and neediest requirement for poor people would be blankets. Concretely, a minimum of 10,000 units was decided to be sent. Taking into account shortages and the increase in prices, the Board calculated that a good and warm blanket could be available for $ 20; that is $ 200,000 for 10,000 units. This was a fight against time because the winter was imposing its own deadlines. The International Council General arranged to send $ 175,000 which reached Pakistan at the end of November. Earlier on, England and Wales and Australia had sent funds directly, allowing to buy 2,000 blankets that have been distributed to the affected area with the help of army helicopters.

 

After receiving all the funds, a reassessment was made, considering a drop in prices, and the Society was indeed able to send 20,000 blankets instead of 10,000. The total amount of $ 200,000 received by the Society in Pakistan was almost all spent on blankets, logistical support, transportation, hotels, etc;

 

SSVP relief convoy

On 7th December, 2005, 7 trucks loaded with blankets left from Rawalpindi, where an Army escort was provided as the consignment had to travel dangerous places to the area chosen by Vincentians for help: Muzaffarabad, in Azad Kashmir. A group of Vincentians including the national President and Vice-President left the day after.

 

“Along the way, we travelled through high mountains and desolated areas, roads that were temporarily repaired and make-shift bridges.

 

A victims camp along the way

Everywhere along the way, there were tents spread in thousands for the earthquake victims. Several victims were high up in the mountains and refused to come down as they were afraid that their land would be lost or confiscated. Tents were pegged on small plateaus near their homes so that an eye could be kept on their properties” says Valentine Gonsalves, National President.

 

 

 

As the first 2,000 blankets had been dropped by helicopter in areas inaccessible by road, the 18,000 units were distributed by Vincentians in Al Mustafa and Minhaj camps, at Maira Tanolian, Jhelum and Neelum valleys. The Society had to work with the Army, as the responsibility of help and rehabilitation was given to it.

 

 

The top man of the region informed the Vincentians that the urgent need, after the blankets, would be kerosene stoves, which would not only assist in cooking, but would also act as heating devices. The money remaining after the purchase of the blankets will thus be used to buy kerosene stoves. You will be informed once the mission is accomplished

V. Gonsalves, National President, handing blankets to victims

 

Source and pictures: SSVP Pakistan

 

 

INDIA

 

      Since the Tsunami tidal wave struck, at Christmas 2004, the Society in India has continuously been working on relief assistance to victims and affected areas.

 

As Phase I of the Relief Project of the National Council of India is finished, it has consisted in:

 

-                                             giving emergency relief (food, utensils, clothes, medicines…)

-                                             buying or repairing1995 nets

-                                             buying or repairing 606 boats

-                                             repairing 603 houses

 

Phase II of the project has allowed to assist 3,798 students so far.

A renovated house in Cochin

 

 

By the end of September, the National Council has decided to stop all further payments to Councils and Conferences involved and review the situation by calling for revised applications for help, as they found out the needs had changed, the beneficiaries had changed and aid was also provided by government and other agencies.

 

Guntur Vincentians handing new nets to victims

The Committee that met on that occasion tried as much as possible to limit the sanctioned amount within manageable limits, and sanctioned 20,520,350 Rs (380,000 euros). This comprises of aid where no other agencies provided assistance. The help was confined for 217 house repairs, 55 nets and 51 boats, 891 small self help ventures, etc. totalling to Rs 6,920,350 (127,000 euros) and a few projects in the worst affected areas which are mainly for education like computer centers, for the affected aged, and a small project for the marriages of tsunami affected people totalling to Rs. 13,600,000 (250,000 euros).

 

This represents a Rs 2,503,846 (46,250 euros) shortfall from the 18,016,504 Rs (332,500 euros) balance the National Council had in late October, 2005. Further requirements will be restricted to Educational aid.

 

The present situation is that Government is not assisting in food aid. People continue to live in temporary houses in a lot of place. Government has provided land to private agencies and houses are still being constructed. Situation is coming to normal, but at a slow pace.

 

Source and Pictures: SSVP India

 

THAILAND

 

In Thailand, the Society provides help in 5 provinces under the supervision of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference within the Catholic Relief Centre. SSVP has been supporting these activities since 29 December 2004.

 

The observations are as follows:

-                                 Victims that have received help can return up to 70% of what they had previously.

-                                 Compounded problems include the rising fuel prices, slow return of tourism, drought and terrorism in some of the provinces;

-                                 The housing project with a budget of US$ 100,000 was for people who have lost their homes. However, most people don’t have their own land, so leading this project is very difficult and time consuming. So instead, US$ 40,000 of the money reserved for this project could be used for other projects previously presented. That would mean, however, that there would be no housing project.

 

In total, by the end of 2005, SSVP Thailand had spent 7,138,391 Bahts (148,000 euros) and thus had a balance of 780,617 Bahts (16,200 euros).

 

This comprises transportation costs, distribution of food and medicines, medical assistance, help to students and widows, boats and/or motors, nets, tools and household items, houses repairs.

 

Source: SSVP Thailand

Financial Statement – 25th January, 2006

 

Disaster

Country

Money  Received in CGI

Money Sent

Tsunami

Till July 2005

All (see previous issues)

953,880

India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

622,700

Since July 2005

USA, France, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal …

241,520

* Not including twinning funds

Total Tsunami*

1,195,400

 

622,700

 

Balance, at 26th January, 2006

572,700

October 2005 Disasters

common fund

 

37,941

Pakistan

175,000

USA

5,000

Cent. Amer.

30,000

 

 

 

 

210,000*

 

* Taken from General Disaster fund

Let’s keep on helping them!

 

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

6, rue de Londres

75009 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, whose true worth will be appreciated.

 

But let us not forget…

 

      United States, Central America and the Caribbean have been struck by Katrina, Stan, Rita and Wilma hurricanes in last October.

      As always, the Vincentians of the zone have reacted immediately assisting with emergency goods and help. Council General launched a common appeal for Pakistan and America, on October 21st, but with limited results up to date.

      $ 5,000 have been sent to United States as a solidarity gesture towards this country that has helped Council General and other countries so often; and $ 30,000 have been sent to Bro. Ernesto Balladares, International Territorial Vice President for Central and South America. It has allowed him to bring personally first emergency help to the 5 worse affected countries in Central America, on his visit there at the beginning of November, thus allowing the Society in these countries to start assisting the victims and those who have lost everything, and also to try evaluate the damages and needs. Some countries have also sent direct help to affected countries.

      Medium and long term projects are being set up there. A next issue of our News bulletin on disasters will inform you precisely of the situation, extending Asi@news to disasters all over the world, and no longer only in Asia.

      You can donate specifically for one of these disasters, or for Council General’s General Disaster Fund! By advance, we thank you for your generosity!