How you can help
Two programs CIDA currently supports are:
1. Women Defining Peace: a project to help Sri Lankan organizations address violence against women and integrate gender equality into reconstruction processes. This project will run until 2010 with CIDA contributing $1.6 million.
2. Community Empowerment and Rehabilitation Project: a program that sets up vocational training clinics for people to learn basic construction skills in order to rebuild housing, schools, clinics and communities. This project, whose lead agency is the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), will run until 2009 with CIDA contributing $6 million.
How you can help
Many donated food and clothing items may be inappropriate for various regions. Therefore, CIDA urges people to donate financially to well-established and experienced relief agencies such as World Vision, Doctors Without Borders and the Canadian Red Cross. These agencies have established information networks, systems of distribution, and techniques for assessing needs based on factors such as the victim's way of life, eating habits and religious beliefs. These agencies also monitor the delivery of their assistance to ensure aid reaches its intended destination.
Here are three ways to help:
1. Contact a national or international non-governmental agency that has the networks necessary to distribute food, clothes and medicine quickly and efficiently.
2. Organize a fund-raising event such as an auction or wine and cheese party with raffles where all proceeds go towards a chosen organization's relief efforts.
3. Volunteer your time and skills to the local office of a relief agency.
For more information on how you can contribute to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka, e-mail CIDA at tsunami@acdi-cida.gc.ca or call 1-800-230-6349.
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