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UNHCR is busy helping refugees all over the world. Find out more about what we're doing in countries like Central African Republic, Togo and Uzbekistan. |
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Mr. António Guterres, the UN High from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, sends a message to UNHCR's donors. |
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Ana Ferrero, Field Protection Officer, the UN Refugee Agency Branch Office, Colombia
Thousands of tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka are now living in transitional shelters, built as an interim measure while they await permanent housing. © UNHCR/H.J.Davies
The Tsunami caused devastation in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, but, thanks to supporters like you, the UN Refugee Agency was able to react swiftly and effectively. We normally focus on the effects of conflict, rather than natural disaster – but in view of the terrible destruction and our on-the-ground presence – we mobilised our emergency forces and did all we could to help.
In the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka, Bernard Mondraj and his family survived the Tsunami, but lost their house, boat and nets. He just wants to get back to normal life now and hopes to get a new boat soon: “I want to go back to the sea so I can support my family” he told us. Bernard’s family is living in Manatkadu camp. “UNHCR made these shelters early on” he told us, “and we are very happy with them. Now we want to return to our village to build our permanent homes again… we are hopeful we can rebuild our lives.”
Your donations allowed us to help more than 100,000 people like Bernard in Sri Lanka, providing US$ 1.3 million of relief items and building 810 temporary shelters. We have helped people rebuild their livelihoods by providing nets and boats for fishermen, as well as supporting the Government in coordinating shelter and helping the Census Bureau to list the missing, dead and injured, and record loss and damage.
In Indonesia, we assisted approximately 127,000 people, deployed emergency staff and technical experts, and airlifted more than 400 metric tonnes of relief items within just five days. Your donations helped us to provide families with emergency shelter, while we worked with local people to construct and repair homes and community buildings. By coordinating the specific skills of other organisations, we are continuing to ensure their resources and expertise are used to maximum effect. So, even in the wake of one of the world’s worst disasters, you have helped us reignite hope for the future.
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PHOTO CREDITS
Top: An internally displaced girl at the Poon Dhodam Welfare Center, Vavuniya. © UNHCR/L.Taylor
Above: A UNHCR model house nearing completion in Keude Krueng Sabee village, about 100 km south of Banda Aceh. © Jonathan Perugia
