PROJECT PHOENIX

SRI LANKA

PERMENANT HOUSES AND A HOPE OF NEW LIVES RISING FROM BROKEN HOMES, FAMILIES AND LOST LIVELIHOODS AS A RESULT OF THE DESTRUCTIVE IMPACTS OF THE TSUNAMI OF 26 DECEMBER 2004

EVOLUTION OF PROJECT PHOENIX
Sri Lanka experienced the worst disaster in her recorded history on 26 December 2004 . Over 30,000 men, women and children lost their lives and over 900,000 people were displaced. The Tsunami destroyed an estimated 79,100 houses completely and 20,706 partially, leaving 215,804 families homeless. Approximately 268,000 people were forced to seek shelter in temples, churches, mosques, schools and hurriedly set-up refugee camps.

Project Phoenix is a post Tsunami humanitarian effort that evolved from a group of volunteer university dons and professionals involved at first, in individual relief efforts to fulfill the immediate need for food, clothing, medicine and temporary shelter. It soon became apparent that the greatest need after the initial relief efforts was to return displaced families to permanent homes of their own as soon as possible. This required a coordinated and a longer term commitment and resulted in the birth of Project Phoenix.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF RECIEPIENTS FOR PROJECT PHONIX TSUNAMI HOUSES

Complete destruction of house due to the Tsunami.

Loss or incapacitation of family bread winner due to the Tsunami.

Loss of family members residing in house at the time of the Tsunami.

Number of family members, school-going children and infants residing in the house destroyed by the Tsunami.

Loss of source of income.

No assistance recieved or being recieved from other agencies.

Equitably build houses in affected districts along the South and Southwestern coasts.

Where possible accommodate specific requests by the donor.