Building a sustainable future
Since the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami devastated 1,000 km of Sri Lanka's coastline, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has worked with various international relief organizations to re-build Sri Lankan lives. The tsunami's aftermath was horrific: 31,000 Sri Lankans were killed, 5,600 are missing, more than 15,000 people were injured and 500,000 were left homeless.
The Sri Lankan government and international financial institutions estimate that reconstructing coastal public systems and re-establishing livelihoods will cost $1.6 billion (US). The Canadian government is contributing $425 million (CDN) for overall tsunami relief in all the affected regions and will channel assistance and funding requests from Sri Lanka through CIDA's Tsunami Assistance Co-ordination Committee Secretariat.
Building a sustainable future
Progress is slow, but sure. CIDA has moved from initial relief efforts to focus on rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. CIDA's overarching goal is to help tsunami-affected communities rebuild their futures in a sustainable manner.
CIDA is now working with various organizations to develop programs to address the physical and psychological harm suffered by children as a result of the tsunami. In its aftermath, many children have become vulnerable to exploitation. To create sustainable livelihoods, CIDA is also working on economic programs that will provide savings and credit as well as job training to people in affected regions.
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