FROM TSUNAMI RELIEF TO REHABILITATION: LWR SETTLES IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
Baltimore, MD, May 31, 2005 - The devastation was shocking, the loss of life overwhelming. Governments and aid agencies from around the world responded quickly and generously, with money, food, medicine, and other much-needed resources. Though life will never be the same for the survivors of one of the worst natural disasters in history, the generosity of the world's citizens ensured that the most immediate needs were taken care of.
Now, as many aid agencies begin pulling out of the tsunami-affected countries to focus on immediate emergencies elsewhere, LWR is shifting from relief to rehabilitation-the second phase of our long-term commitments in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, where we plan to work with local partners for the next ten years to help rebuild and reinvigorate communities.
Rebuilding devastated communities is not a quick process. "It takes time to do it right," said Barbara Wetsig, LWR's Team Leader for Tsunami Response. "It takes sitting down with community members, including women, including the disabled, elderly and even kids, to understand what their needs are. Because of the scope and magnitude of this disaster, it's community planning starting from scratch."
This phase of the process "is lots of meetings," Wetsig said. Working with current partners in their strategic planning, reviewing project proposals from potential new partners, and identifying local agencies that might be good partners for LWR all take time. Because of LWR's commitment to working with local partners, this investment of time and planning is crucial in order to ensure both good stewardship of donated funds and sustainable solutions.
LWR will establish offices in both Indonesia and Sri Lanka to manage the rehabilitation efforts in those countries and to accompany local partners as they implement the projects that LWR will support. Such an office already existed in India , a country where LWR has a 50-year history. For a long-term effort such as the tsunami response, this physical presence is important, Wetsig said. "We want our partners to know us, our values, and we want to to know theirs . . . it really takes having someone on the ground to build that kind of relationship."
Some of the projects that LWR will work on during the rehabilitation phase include building and repairing damaged homes and schools; provision of books and school supplies to children; repairing damaged fishing boats and providing new boats to fisherfolk whose boats were destroyed; provision of trauma counseling for survivors; providing income-generating possibilities to women through small loans; and providing training on disaster risk management, advocacy and gender equity issues.
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
For more information contact Emily Sollie at esollie@lwr.org or 410-230-2802.
