NZTMA’s Tsunami Project in the North & the East of Sri Lanka

Updated on 15/04/06

It is regrettable that we still have been struggling to start the Tsunami project due to unavoidable circumstances. It is very important that the Tamil communities especially in New Zealand are aware of what has been happening. The proposal for the project had been sent by NZAID to the Sri Lankan government for a formal approval. The government was happy with the projects but not as happy with the two proposals and the NGO’s we have selected especially the Centre for Healthcare.
The Sri Lankan government wanted NZSLTRT to do the projects through one international NGO and also wanted to submit a common proposal for the North, East & the South. NZTMA has decided to work with the previous group, the representatives from the south as there was no other alternative. We have merged the south & the north-east proposals together and a common trust (New Zealand Sri Lanka Tsunami Rehabilitation Trust (NZSLTRT)) has been formed as directed by the NZAID.
The number of NZSLTRT trustees has been decided on the basis of affected communities & areas in Sri Lanka; 60% from the north & east and 40% from the south. We then had been looking for a suitable international NGO. NZSLTRT have been having dialogue with Child Fund New Zealand (CFNZ). The Trust members have been happy with NZCF as they were keen, and very flexible to accommodate our needs, as a New Zealand based NGO. In addition they have been doing several projects in the North, East and the South of Sri Lanka after and before the Tsunami. They also have a good relationship with NZAID.We still need to choose local NGOs to do the project as NZCF will act only as a facilitator. NZSLTRT has chosen CHC for the North; American Ceylon Mission for the East and the Sarvodaya for the south. Now CFNZ has been doing a feasibility study to see whether they can undertake the project. They will be mainly helping to facilitate the funds as well as handling and reporting. They will also supervise the local NGOs and make sure the projects have been implemented according to the NZSLTRT plan. The details of the NZCF’s involvements are yet to be decided.
The revised proposal will be available as soon as we finalise the details with the international NGO.

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Date: 07 | 08 | 2005

The Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 was one of the worst natural disasters on record. It has caused unimaginable misery to a large number of people in the coastal regions of south Asia.

NZTMA formed a trust called the New Zealand- Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Trust (NZ-SL TRT) in association with various Sinhala organizations. The reason for this formation of the NZ-SL TRT is because the NZAID wanted a common organization for all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.

The New Zealand- Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief Trust has been formed to assist with rehabilitation and reconstruction projects. The trustees are Sri Lankan born New Zealanders, who have the advantage of having local knowledge and contacts.

NZ-SL TRT proposes to building mobile medical clinics and primary care centers to service the south, east and north regions of the country. The custom built buses will be deployed to each region to serve as mobile medical clinics.

The duration of the project will be for two years. The above project will be run by the respected NGO’s in each area. The NGO’s will be expected to take over the project at the end of the two years.
The Mullativu and Kallaru/Batticaloa district have been selected in the North and the East respectively to run these projects.
The Centre for Health Care has been chosen as a NGO in Mullaitivu and American- Ceylon mission in Batticaloa district. (Please browse through Tsunami Project for details)