July
2005 by Pádraig David Grant, Colombo
GOAL became operational in Sri Lanka on 29th December 2004,
in response to the devastation caused by the tsunami. It is estimated
that 31,187 people lost their lives and 65,000 homes were completely
damaged. An estimated 12,400 fishing boats were destroyed.
GOAL is involved in many tsunami rehabilitation projects
throughout the island of Sri Lanka. There are three bases of operation
– Ampara District on the east coast and Hambantota and Matara
Districts in the south.
Donors
Internationally there was an unprecedented response to the tsunami crisis
with both the public and government responding quickly and generously
and giving money and assistance to the people in most need. GOAL is
funded in Sri Lanka by the Irish Government (Development Cooperation
Ireland – DCI), OFDA (Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance –
US Government), and from the Irish public and large private donors within
Ireland – namely Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and CIF (Construction
Industry Federation). GOAL’s total commitment to Sri Lanka is
in excess of US$20 million.
Programme in Sri Lanka
GOAL began operations in Sri Lanka with an emergency response
in key sectors such as water and sanitation, Non-Food Relief items and
Shelter. GOAL quickly deployed into three main areas of operation –
Matara, Hambantota and Ampara. Rapid field assessments were undertaken
and within one week operations had fully commenced. Initially work was
concentrated on rubble removal and body retrieval in all areas, this
work has now been completed, and GOAL has entered the rehabilitation
phase.
Background to GOAL
GOAL is an international humanitarian organization, founded in 1977
by John O’Shea, with the aim of relieving the suffering of the
poorest of the poor in the developing world. GOAL has a head office
in Dublin, Ireland with support offices in London and New York. To find
out more about GOAL please log on to our web site www.goal.ie
Staff
There are approximately 35 expatriate GOAL staff and volunteers supported
by 70 key local staff. Our international staff are from a variety of
countries – Ireland, UK, Croatia, USA, RSA and Australia.
Key facts Sri Lanka
Population:
19.9 million people
Infant mortality rates:
14.7 /1,000 live births (2000 data) (Ireland 5.5 /1,000 live births)
Maternal Mortality Rate:
0.2/1,000/year (1996 data)
Life expectancy at birth:
Males 70.1; Females 74.8
Literacy rate: 93%
Mission Statement
GOAL’s mission is to work towards ensuring that those poorest
and most vulnerable in our world and /or affected by humanitarian crisis
have access to the fundamental needs and rights of life: food, water,
shelter, medical attention and literacy.
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Kirinda
Jan 2005. Boats deposited on the second floor of a building.
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