World Vision raises tsumani aid

World Vision, a child focussed, Christian relief and development organisation has increased its outlay for the rehabilitation of the tsunami-affected from 27.8 crore to Rs 133.2 crore taking the total budget to Rs 161 crore for the calendar year 2005.

"The future plans will be focussed on four areas ""economic recovery programmes, infrastructure rehabilitation and psycho-social and educational support for children," said D Relton Samuel, project manager, Tsunami Relief Project, World Vision.

World Vision has identified ten different sites in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Pondicherry and the Andaman and Nicobar islands for relief work in the next 12 months.

"The focus for the next one-year period will be on sustained rehabilitation and economic recovery in all the tsunami affected regions," said Suresh Kumar, group executive for strategic services, World Vision.

World Vision's officials confirmed that their commitment towards rehabilitation in these areas would continue for four years.

Of the increased budget, Rs 72 crore will be used for building permanent shelters, Rs 1.87 crore will be for water and sanitation, Rs 1.18 crore will be set aside for child-welfare programmes, Rs 29.7 crore for economic recovery programmes and Rs 3.59 crore will go towards reintstating educational facilities.

The specifics of the rehabilitation measures include 4,188 permanent shelters, 5,500 boats and nets, 1,773 small grants, 700 hectares desalinated, cash for work programme covering 6,660 individuals, school uniforms, shoes and fees for 16,100 school childrenchildren.