Asia tsunami assistance
The work of the Finnish Red Cross (FRC) to support the recovery programmes in the tsunami-affected areas is about to be completed. By the end of 2009, 27.5 million euros will have been spent on assistance in Finland, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand.
An underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra unleashed a devastating tsunami on 26th of December 2004. The waves killed over 200 000 people. At least 1,8 million people lost their homes.
After the initial emergency response, the assistance activities in the affected regions have focused on constructing housing and on improving health and disaster preparedness. The peer support programme conducted in Finland is among the most extensive ones undertaken in the country.
In the aftermath of the tsunami, the Finnish Red Cross raised a total of 26.7 million euros for Asia. Additional 4.5 million euros were received from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and 0.2 million euros from the Ministry of the Interior.
Assistance in the tsunami-affected areas will still continue in 2010–2011, and all funds donated to the Finnish Red Cross have been budgeted to be used within the period.
New school constructed in Indonesia
Indonesia was the most severely hit country in the 2004 tsunami disaster. The number of people who lost their lives was 130 000, and 37 000 went missing. Half a million people in the province of Aceh and on Nias Island lost their homes.
The Finnish and Swiss Red Cross Societies are providing support to construct a school in the province of Aceh. The construction project was started in the summer of 2009 and will continue in 2010. Two dormitories will also be built on the compound.
Once completed, 350 girls and boys will be able to start their education in the school. Earthquakes are common in the region, and the buildings are designed to be as earthquake-resistant as possible.
Relief workers and health experts to the site
Immediately after the tsunami disaster, the Finnish Red Cross sent three relief delegates to Aceh. Two health experts followed them later. Assistance donated by Finnish people has been channelled through organizations of the international Red Cross.
The Red Cross has assisted local people to construct and renovate homes and hospitals, and improved water and sewage networks in the area. Volunteers of the Indonesian Red Cross Society strengthen disaster preparedness in villages e.g. by organizing first aid training.
Recovery from the effects of the tsunami has been particularly hard in Aceh due to the restless recent past of the area. The nearly 30-year long armed conflict between the Government of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement ended in a peace accord in August 2005. The conflict orphaned many children and made it difficult for them to attend school.
By the end of 2009, the Finnish Red Cross will have spent a total of 400 000 euros on assistance in Indonesia. The school construction in Sigli will be supported with 400 000 euros in 2009–2010.
New homes in Sri Lanka
The homes of nearly 120 000 Sri Lankans were destroyed by the tsunami. More than 600 families have already moved to their new homes constructed by the Finnish Red Cross.
A total of 26 blocks with 420 flats were constructed in the areas of South and North Kalmunai. The residents were able to move to their homes in August.
The wishes of the residents were taken into account during the entire construction project. Fireplaces were installed in the flats upon their request. The environmental impact of both construction areas has been paid special attention to, e.g. by building water cleaning systems.
The residents will be supported in adapting to living in a block of flats for at least a year. The programme will continue until 2011. It aims at diversifying people's means of livelihood and at reducing social problems.
In addition to constructing blocks of flats in the region, the Finnish Red Cross has provided support to 200 families that have built themselves a new home to replace the one lost in the tsunami. The houses have been completed, and 3 100 people live in them.
People's subsistence has been supported by providing microloans, with the help of which they have been able to initiate small-scale enterprising.
Reconstruction of hospitals
In addition to new homes, the Finnish Red Cross has renovated and reconstructed hospitals in Sri Lanka.
The Nintavur hospital destroyed by the tsunami has been reconstructed and supplied with medical equipment. The hospital was re-opened in October 2009. It has 88 beds, an operating theatre unit and a health centre. The hospital serves approx. 55 000 people.
The renovation of the Panama rural hospital has also been completed. The Finnish Red Cross has equipped the hospital in cooperation with three organizations. The second phase of the construction of the Pottuvil hospital was started in June 2009, and it is estimated to be completed in April 2010.
A Finnish health clinic operated in Ampara region from January to March 2005. The clinic treated 2 000 patients, and 32 Finnish delegates worked there. The supplies of the health clinic were donated to local health clinics at the end of the operation.
In Sri Lanka, the FRC has also developed rural water and sanitation systems, and has, among others, constructed more than 1 000 latrines as part of a community-based health programme.
By the end of 2009, the Finnish Red Cross will have spent a total of 15 million euros on assistance activities in Sri Lanka.
In 2010, the FRC's assistance will continue for the following activities: construction of the Pottuvil hospital, finishing of the buildings, support to the families living in them, improving water supply in the region of Hulannuge, and support to the health programme of the international Red Cross. The budgeted amount for assistance in 2010 is 1.9 million euros.
Support to health services and disaster preparedness in Thailand
In the 2004 tsunami disaster in Thailand, 5 400 people lost their lives and 8 500 were injured. Nearly 3 000 people have not been found.
The largest assistance project of the Finnish Red Cross in Thailand has been the development of the blood service, implemented with the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service. In both countries, the blood service relies on voluntary donors.
A regional blood service centre was constructed in Phuket, and its operation started in August 2009. FRC's support enabled the construction of a blood service unit that covers in six provinces. The project continues until the end of 2010.
Seven hospitals have been renovated in the Phang Ngan area. Nine hospitals were provided with ambulances, boats, cold containers and other supplies. Hospital staff were assisted in learning to use the new equipment. Health education, first aid training and psychosocial support were also offered to the local people.
The Finnish Red Cross has also participated in developing sea rescue activities in Thailand together with Swedish and Norwegian Red Cross Societies. Hundreds of local volunteers and staff have been trained in sea rescue and first aid in the joint effort of the Red Cross Societies. The FRC has procured communication equipment for the sea rescue centres and trained staff in using them.
The Finnish Red Cross has also supported first aid training and procured training equipment, such as resusci-Anne manikins to practice CPR.
Immediately after the disaster, the Finnish Red Cross delivered ambulances and supplies to nine hospitals in Thailand.
Forty-five Finnish Red Cross delegates participated in searching Finnish people in Thailand, in caring for them and in transporting them back to Finland. Together with travel agencies, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other Finnish actors, the FRC was involved in the evacuation of nearly 3 000 tourists back home.
Clothing aid was given to 500 Finns. In Finland, volunteer Red Cross first aid group members and psychologists met the evacuees upon arrival. The psychologists and volunteers also operated a telephone helpline for those in need of psychosocial support. They served again on the helpline at Christmas 2005, a year after the disaster.
By the end of 2009, the Finnish Red Cross will have spent six million euros to tsunami relief and recovery programmes in Thailand. In 2010, support will continue for the sea rescue programme and to the blood service centre. The budget for these activities is 200 000 euros.
Other assistance
In addition to assistance given in Finland, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, 400 000 euros have been spent on a health and disaster relief programme in the tsunami-affected areas in Eastern Africa.
The funds were used on training rescue groups and on transporting and storing supplies. Bednets protecting from malaria, clean water and latrines have also been delivered to the area.
Furthermore, the Finnish Red Cross has assisted India, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Myanmar with a total of one million euros.
