TRO volunteer work closes largest gap in Tsunami-damaged East Coast Road network
Panichchenkany Bridge Project - TRO-Swiss
The bridge at Panichchenkany is a vital link for some 20,000 regular users between Batticaloa and Trincomalee, some of the worst Tsunami affected areas. It is the largest bridge on the A15 road. Its central concrete structures split and sank approximately a foot, rendering it impassable. The dams that lead to the bridge disappeared completely impacting further on transport links. The TRO and the community set up a provisional boat service to cross the Up par Lagoon as temporary solution. However, the project to restore usability was finalised in less than 20 days.
Friedrich Bracher & Thomas Matter, TRO-Swiss
TRO volunteers of the Panichchenkany and Vahary area, assisted by two volunteer engineers from TRO-Swiss realised the project with extremely limited heavy machinery. Two thousand cubic metres of granite stone and rubble were moved with a single excavator, (only available for 5 days,) and some tractors. Also, despite working under difficult seasonal conditions and with reduced basic supplies and nutrition, the strong will and endeavour of local people meant that with several hundred man-hours the project could be achieved. The dams are now open with one-track, one-way traffic. The metal bridge structure of the central Passover is a temporary solution. A project for the new bridge, was effectively started on February 1st, several weeks ahead of schedule due to this fantastic effort. As well as that, the remaining team was then able to prepare the brand-new Vaharay hospital, fixing the damage to still functional buildings, clearing the rubble and flattening surfaces for the Italian Red Cross to move in. They could then build tents and were able to run ambulance services within three days. The work of the TRO volunteers enabled these essential services to become available to those most effected by the devastating Tsunami and would not have been possible otherwise
Tamisl Rehabiltiation Organisatoin and the Norwegian Refugee Council today 3rd February 2005 signed a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum is a symbol of the support that the NRC and the Royal Norwegian Government have for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
TRO and NRC sign MOUNRC has provided funding for the construction of 1,815 family kitchens in 13 villages in the Mullaittivu District. Funding has also been provided for nearly another 200 kitchens in the district of Jaffna.
The agreement was signed by K.P.Regi (Executive Director TRO) and Joern Kristensen (Resident Representative Norwegian Refugee Council). Mr Regi expressed his delight in receiving this support from the NRC and is also anticipating the relationships between the two organisations to continue to develop as the post tsunami rehabiltiation continues.
Humedica, a german NGO helping Tsunami victims in the north, Thursday gave fifteen boats, out board motors (OBMs) and bicycles to fishermen in three villages on Jaffna's Vadamaradchi coast.
"Each boat is worth hundred and twenty two thousand rupees (approx. 1200 USD). Humedica has promised to give us seven hundred boats", said Mr. Kandavanam Sooriyakumar, general manager of Federation of Vadamaradchi Fisheries Societies.
Humedica gave a nine horse power OBM for each boat. Eight boats were given to fishermen in Munai, six in Thumpalai and one in Viyapaarimoolai. Each fisherman was given a bicycle along with the boat.
The bridge at Panichchenkany is a vital link for some 20,000 regular users between Batticaloa and Trincomalee, some of the worst Tsunami affected areas. It is the largest bridge on the A15 road. Its central concrete structures split and sank approximately a foot, rendering it impassable. The dams that lead to the bridge disappeared completely impacting further on transport links. The TRO and the community set up a provisional boat service to cross the Up par Lagoon as temporary solution. However, the project to restore usability was finalised in less than 20 days.
Friedrich Bracher & Thomas Matter, TRO-Swiss
TRO volunteers of the Panichchenkany and Vahary area, assisted by two volunteer engineers from TRO-Swiss realised the project with extremely limited heavy machinery. Two thousand cubic metres of granite stone and rubble were moved with a single excavator, (only available for 5 days,) and some tractors. Also, despite working under difficult seasonal conditions and with reduced basic supplies and nutrition, the strong will and endeavour of local people meant that with several hundred man-hours the project could be achieved. The dams are now open with one-track, one-way traffic. The metal bridge structure of the central Passover is a temporary solution. A project for the new bridge, was effectively started on February 1st, several weeks ahead of schedule due to this fantastic effort. As well as that, the remaining team was then able to prepare the brand-new Vaharay hospital, fixing the damage to still functional buildings, clearing the rubble and flattening surfaces for the Italian Red Cross to move in. They could then build tents and were able to run ambulance services within three days. The work of the TRO volunteers enabled these essential services to become available to those most effected by the devastating Tsunami and would not have been possible otherwise
TRO and NRC sign MOU
Tamisl Rehabiltiation Organisatoin and the Norwegian Refugee Council today 3rd February 2005 signed a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum is a symbol of the support that the NRC and the Royal Norwegian Government have for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
TRO and NRC sign MOUNRC has provided funding for the construction of 1,815 family kitchens in 13 villages in the Mullaittivu District. Funding has also been provided for nearly another 200 kitchens in the district of Jaffna.
The agreement was signed by K.P.Regi (Executive Director TRO) and Joern Kristensen (Resident Representative Norwegian Refugee Council). Mr Regi expressed his delight in receiving this support from the NRC and is also anticipating the relationships between the two organisations to continue to develop as the post tsunami rehabiltiation continues.
Humedica, a german NGO helping Tsunami victims in the north
Humedica, a german NGO helping Tsunami victims in the north, Thursday gave fifteen boats, out board motors (OBMs) and bicycles to fishermen in three villages on Jaffna's Vadamaradchi coast.
"Each boat is worth hundred and twenty two thousand rupees (approx. 1200 USD). Humedica has promised to give us seven hundred boats", said Mr. Kandavanam Sooriyakumar, general manager of Federation of Vadamaradchi Fisheries Societies.
Humedica gave a nine horse power OBM for each boat. Eight boats were given to fishermen in Munai, six in Thumpalai and one in Viyapaarimoolai. Each fisherman was given a bicycle along with the boat.
posted by Chandravathanaa @ 9:19 am
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