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Thousands of homes destroyed by tsunami
An estimated 100,000 houses have been completely destroyed and 25,000 partially damaged in the tsunami prompting authorities to look for local and foreign assistance to provide shelter for the affected people.
- By Sinha Ratnatunga, Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 January 5, 2005
An estimated 100,000 houses have been completely destroyed and 25,000 partially damaged in the tsunami prompting authorities to look for local and foreign assistance to provide shelter for the affected people.
Officials assessing the damage said the number of houses destroyed could be much higher as more reports from the affected areas were due.
Teams are in the process of assessing damage to schools, hospitals, railway network, roads and state buildings. At least 25 schools have been completely destroyed and 75 partially damaged, according initial estimates.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has appealed for assistance to rebuild houses. Local film actors have come forward with a proposal to build 50 houses for a group of fishermen in the southern Hambantota district.
"Housing and shelter is going to be the next major problem which the people in the affected areas will be facing. With rains expected in these areas, the problem would be further complicated", said aid worker Wasantha Chandrapala.
He said many of the villagers displaced along the coastal line were not prepared to return to their homes. There were instances where grown up children who witnessed the disaster were scared and screamed in their sleep.
"Most of the people are demanding that the government considers giving them land in the interior areas", he said.
The assessment of the damages were being made as local and international relief workers continued their relief efforts in the affected areas while grappling with a range of problems including uneven distribution of relief, health problems, shortage of drinking water and tracing the missing.
International medical teams have reduced the burden on the local hospitals which also have been damaged and lost medical personnel.
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