PINA during the Tsunami Disaster...

December 25^th 2004 a tragic disaster befell the Indian Ocean. More than 200, 000 lives were claimed, millions of people left homeless in more than four south-east Asian nations and financial as well as infra-structural set-backs made in millions of US Dollars.

December 28^th PINA members from Sri Lanka and Germany assembled and set out to help, to rebuild better living conditions. Through own efforts and collaborations with other organisations and Sri Lanka Government Institutions, PINA contributed largely towards reducing the negative effects of both the initial and long-term destructions and destitution that the Tsunami had caused. Some of our programs included-:

• Distribution of immediate basic necessities, such as food, clothing and shelter and aid in setting up refugee camps and providing necessary facilities in the southern and western coastal areas of the island that had been affected

• Over 2,200 tents were distributed in collaboration with the Fire Brigade of the Munich Airport, Germany all over Sri Lanka, ranging from refuge camps in Panadura, Ampara and Keenia (Trincomalee)

• Consultation for other organizations and individuals coming into Sri Lanka at the time and situational presentations and fund-raiser for purposes of obtaining items and funds in Germany to help the affected people in Sri Lanka, both individual families and larger groups of destitute people

• Initiation and implementation of the HappyDigits Children’s Village

Although our Tsunami Aid program has been completed now, it continues to exist in the HappyDigits Children’s Village, where we attempt to build up broken lives and relive shattered hopes.