Financial Times - Suntel trust in support for post-tsunami livelihoods

The Suntel Relief Trust, founded by Suntel in the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, has so far channelled over Rs 27 million to reinstate livelihoods.

The Trust has teamed up with Rebuild Sri Lanka (RBSL), a team committed to facilitating relief operations island wide, The National Development Bank’s (NDB) “Fisherman’s Relief Project”, Varam Sri Lanka, an NGO headed by Prof. Harendra de Silva working to help youth and children and most recently the UNDP’s Tsunami Recovery Unit.

The Fund was created with an initial deposit of Rs 5 million by Suntel while Suntel’s parent company Overseas Telecom AB of Sweden donated Rs 68.9 million. Shareholders, associated organisations and individuals along with voluntary contributors from different parts of the world added Rs 2 million to the fund through direct and online donations.

In the fisheries sector, 11 Boats and 14 Outboard Motors have been provided by the Suntel Relief Trust for fishing communities at Valachchenai and Mankerny in the Batticaloa District, Trincomalee in the Trincomalee District and Mount Lavinia in the Colombo District. Additionally, a donation of Rs 1 million was made by the Trust to NDB's “Fisherman’s Relief Project” initiative to repair or replace fishing boats and equipment damaged by the Tsunami. Agriculture equipment worth Rs 1.8 million have been provided to affected communities at Akkaraipattu and Thirukkovil in the Ampara district while welding plant and equipment as well as carpentry tools have been provided to the communities in Kalawanchikudy in the Batticaloa District.

Other key livelihood projects carried out through RBSL involved funding over 100 Small and Medium Business Projects in Habaraduwa - Galle District, provision of equipment for self employment to 59 persons in the Trincomalee District and distribution of 40 cement block making machines.

Suntel said in a statement that it has commenced one of four planned projects through UNDP’s Tsunami Recovery Unit.

The Sustainable Recovery of the Micro Enterprise Sector – (MED) Project aims to provide assistance for alternative income generating activities for women in tsunami affected fishing communities in the Matara District.

Through this programme 60 women from Noonnawella will be selected and trained in Crochet, Lace making etc.