u.s. chamber of commerce: post tsunami reconstruction- sri lanka country assessment tuesday january...

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

Post Tsunami Reconstruction- Sri Lanka Country Assessment

Tuesday January 18th 2005

by

H.E. Devinda R. Subasinghe

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the U.S.

4

Tsunami Affected Areas

Note: Worst Affected Areas are in Darker Colors

A Disaster of Unprecedented Magnitude for Sri Lanka

• Dead 37,721• Injured 14,637 • Missing 4,939• People in 721 refugee camps 800,000• Displaced families 4,723• Number of houses destroyed 93,054 • Houses partially damaged 20,000

A Disaster of Unprecedented Magnitude for Sri Lanka

• Hospitals (destroyed) 22

• Field Medical Centers (destroyed) 77

• Medical Clinics (destroyed) 68

• Schools (destroyed) 137

• Tourist Hotel rooms (unusable) 4000

• Extensive damage to the Road and Railroads

Rescue and Relief Operations

• GOSL mobilized all military& civilian assets

• Rescue and relief operations are underway

• Government and LTTE are working together in specially formed district task forces in the North and East

• International relief assistance is continuing

Urgent Needs

• Relief and Rescues Operations– Medical supplies– Water purification tablets– Shelter– Food

Urgent NeedsHealth /Sanitary – 100 large capacity water tanks– 16 water bowzers– 50 well cleaning pumps– 60 water purification units– 2,000 water disinfectant kits– 10 sewerage disposal tankers (called gully emptiers in Sri Lanka)– 10 mini-excavators (0.3 m bucket)– water meters with accessories– 50 generators and flood lights– Safety equipment for 200 people– 50 toolkits for water pipe repairs– 10 double-cabs– 15,992 latrines for camps for displaced– 3,199 urinals for camps for displaced

(Needs assessment of the water and sanitation situation by the Ministry of Urban Development and Water Supply supported by UNICEF)

Medium and Long-term Needs

• Reconstruction and Rehabilitation– Roads, Railways and Housing– Water supply schemes– Hospitals and Schools– Fisheries Harbours

• Early Warning System• Economic Recovery

– Financial– Investment (private & public)– Trade Concessions

U.S. Assistance

• Financial (pledged) 37 million

• Financial (Committed) 4 million

• U.S. Marine 366

• Helicopters 30

• Ships 2

U.S. Assistance

• Key Activities– Emergency relief– Cash for work– Supplies, water & sanitation– Cleaning debris