About Tsunami: |
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| It happened 1,600
km away from the nearest point of the Sri Lanka's shores.
But, it was a death blow to the inhabitants of the coastal
areas of Sri Lanka. Gigantic tsunami waves swept off two
thirds of the Sri Lankan coast causing heavy losses. The
death toll has risen over 31,000 (official statistics)
the damage estimated in billions of rupees is still being
assessed. |
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Inflow of volunteers & co-ordination problems: |
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People,
from all over the world compassionate, well-intended
and enthusiastic are flooding into Sri Lanka, offering
their services. However, many are struggling to find
a role to play while the both the government and civil
society institutions are coming to grips with the extent
of damage. While some waste precious time waiting in
Colombo until they are allocated to a specific location
others are sent to locations where their expertise is
not actually needed. |
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Initiative to streamline: |
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| VSL, initiated
as a help desk at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International
Airport to register the flow of international volunteers
and direct their expertise to the location where it is
most needed through Sri Lanka’s 13,000 registered
local NGOs, major International NGOs and the multilateral
and bilateral aid and donor agencies is now recognised
by Sri Lanka's Centre for National Operations (CNO), for
the role it plays in restructuring and rebuilding operations.
|
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Mission Statement: |
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VSL's
mission is to create "a long-term, sustainable
and efficient infosure for individuals seeking to volunteer
in Sri Lanka and a system to match volunteering offers
with the needs of NGOs providing relief and construction
efforts in Sri Lanka."
|
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Long-term plan: |
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In
striving to become the central point of contact for
relief and reconstruction volunteerism in Sri Lanka,
VSL will not only strengthen the local volunteer management
capacities, but raise their confidence and secure a
safe environment for volunteerism. It will further support
Sri Lanka's rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts
by promoting 'relief and reconstruction tourism' securing
future volunteers for reconstruction efforts. |
