6000 families received aid from SLRC

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 January 2004, 12:13 GMT]
"5995 families resettled in the NorthEast have received assistance from Rs60m given by the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Organization (ECHO) and the Spanish Red Cross," said National Secretary to the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC), Mr. Nimal Kumar, during a press conference held in Vavuniya Tuesday.

Mr. T.Chithiravel, Director ECHO Project speaking at the event

Delegate of Spanish Red Cross (SRC), Ms Maite Garcia, said that completing the humanitarian project ECHO, in helping the families who were displaced during the 29 years of war and returning back to their former homes, in time is a significant accomplishment.

Director of ECHO, T.Chitravel, Head of Vavuniya district SLRC and co-ordinator for the North East region, Sivanathan Kishore, Representative of the International Red Cross, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi districts ECHO field officers, and officials from other branches of SLRC participated in the press conference. Vavuniya district Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture Ms.Jeganathan who co-ordinated the agricultural needs of the resettled families also participated in the event.

Ms Maite Garcia the Delegate of Spanish Red Cross is addressing the workshop

T.Chitravel said, "SLRC has helped to construct wells for drinking water. 25 wells were built in Mullaitivu, and 50 wells were constructed in each districts of Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

"Under the ECHO program SLRC provided 945 Agro and fishing kits to 225 families in Vavuniya, 910 kits to 250 families in Mullaitivu, 1425 kits to 350 families in Kilinochchi, 1325 kits to 375 families in Trincomalee and 1350 kits to 400 families in Batticaloa district.

"SLRC also helped build latrines in different districts to improve healthy living conditions. A total of 150 latrines were built in Vavuniya (20), Kilinochchi (30), Batticaloa (50) and Trincomalee (50)," said Mr.Chitravel.

Mr.Nimal Kumar said that the Government Agents of the different districts, Multi-purpose co-operative society officials, and officials of the other civil groups gave significant support in helping to implement the ECHO programs.



Mr.Nimal Kumar the National Secretary of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society is lighting the oil lamp while the President of SLRC Vavuniya branch and the co-ordinator is looking on.





Section of the participants at the workshop.