Coconut frond thatches produce cooler shelters

[TamilNet, Thursday, 17 February 2005, 11:51 GMT]
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), an NGO registered with Government of Sri Lanka and working exclusively in the NorthEast, has introduced shelters made of thatched roofs from coconut fronds in Vaththirayan and other coastal towns affected by Tsunamai much to the relief of the displaced seeking refuge in shelters. The new constructions are cooler and provide natural ventilation suitable for the hot and humid climate in most of Sri Lanka's NorthEast coastal villages.

TRO is planning to build about 10,000 of these type of shelters and has asked the expatriate donors to stop sending expensive tents from western countries.

In the first few weeks after the tsunami hundreds of tents were brought to the disaster areas by the International NGOs and the TRO. Most of these were made of material that is plastic or tarpaulin, which were hardy and withstood weather and wind, but were too hot to provide a comfortable living environment.

Further, majority of the tents were designed for camping in organized parks in the West and were built to shield campers from cold temperatures.