Caritas distributes aid to fishing families in Sri Lanka

February 21, 2012: Caritas distributed permanent homes, fishing boats and related supplies on February 19 to needy families in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka, who were devastated by the country’s civil war.
“Fifty boats, outboard engines, nets, other accessories and 22 permanent houses were given out to families to help them return to a normal life,” said Father Arulanandam Yavis, head of Caritas Kilinochchi.
The project was funded by donations from Caritas Sweden and Caritas Luxemburg, the priest added. “We have selected beneficiaries on the criteria of widows, female heads of families, disabled members in the family and more female children in the family,” Fr Yavis said.
Nearly 2,000 displaced people remain in need of permanent shelter in war-ravaged areas of the country, according to Sri Lankan government data.
Fr Yavis said that each house provided by Caritas cost about 500,000 rupees equivalent to US$4,348 and the motorboats cost about 460,000 rupees.
Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said Sri Lanka has also signed a memorandum of understanding with India to reconstruct and repair 49,000 houses for internally displaced people, with financial assistance from India.