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Massive
boost for tsunami housing effort in Sri Lanka 13 July 2006 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Sri Lanka Red Cross have contributed $US 10 million to Phase 2 of the Government of Sri Lanka’s Home Owner Driven Housing Programme (ODHP) which will help at least 10,000 tsunami-affected families to rebuild or repair their homes. These funds form the first installment of a $US 25 million pledge made by the International Federation to the ODHP. The fund will be administered by the World Bank and grants will be made by the Government to families in four installments via the country’s commercial banking system. “By contributing to the Home Owner Driven Housing Programme, the Red Cross can channel support to families quickly and effectively through a tried and tested mechanism set up by the World Bank”, explains Jagath Abeysinghe, President of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. “This second phase of the Home Owner Driven Housing Programme has been made possible by the changes in the buffer zone policy and the shift to reliance on the Coastal Conservation Act,” said Peter Harrold, Country Director for the World Bank in Sri Lanka. “Providing assistance to tsunami-affected people whose needs were not met the first time around is a much valued contribution to the Government’s ongoing tsunami recovery programme in Sri Lanka,” he added. The Red Cross’ $US25 million pledge forms part of a wider initiative – ‘The Community Recovery and Reconstruction Partnership’ – a programme that has been set up to accelerate the reconstruction process. The Partnership comprises a unique alliance between the Sri Lanka Red Cross, the International Federation and UN-HABITAT, with technical support provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Price Waterhouse Coopers. Under the Partnership, beneficiaries will receive 250,000 or 100,000 Sri Lanka rupees (for partially-damaged homes) from the ODHP towards the construction or repair of their homes. The Red Cross will channel an additional ‘top up’ grant of approximately the same amount directly to beneficiary’s bank accounts. In addition, the Sri Lanka Red Cross and UN-HABITAT will use their countrywide network to deliver a comprehensive package of support to families and communities in a people-centred approach to the rebuilding process. The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is already a significant contributor to the tsunami recovery effort. Over 8000 houses are scheduled to be built on 75 sites in 12 affected districts across the island. The Sri Lanka Red Cross together with the International Federation and fifteen national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are engaged in this effort. Construction of more than 3,380 homes is currently underway and over 540 have been completed. Notes for Editors: The Swedish Red Cross Society is the principal donor of the $US 25 million contribution that the International Federation is making to the ODHP. Further information on the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Tsunami Recovery Operation in Sri Lanka is available at www.ifrc.org and www.redcross.lk Further information on the World Bank support for tsunami recovery is available at: www.worldbank.org/tsunami For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: In Sri Lanka: Merrick Peiris Sri Lanka Red Cross, Tel: + 94 77 3688 647 Patrick Fuller, International Federation, Sri Lanka Delegation, Tel: + 94 77 350 2154 Chulie De Silva, World Bank, Tel: + 94 556 1323 At the International Federation in Geneva: Siân Bowen, Manager of Media and Public Relations, Tel: + 41 22 730 4428 / + 41 79 217 3388 Media Service, duty phone Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 183 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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