Bangkok--Jan 21--plan-international
a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Sri Lankan Government, under the Office of the Prime Minister and Plan Sri Lanka. The MOU covers the Hambantota District Tsunami Disaster Relief and Development Programme (referred to as Helping Hambantota).
Part of the agreement is to develop the new township on land that has been identified in Tangalle. Plan will support the development of one site in Yayawatta for 500 families, with a land area of 315,900 square metres, the biggest township for development awarded to an International Non-Government Organisation (INGO).
Plan intends to support the construction of 1,213 houses in Tangalle and this will be done in consultation with the men, women and children of the communities. Plan will work closely with the Urban Development Authority; the government arm assigned the task for township reconstruction and development.
“We chose Plan because we are confident that Plan will deliver and we will use Plan assisted township to be the showcase of a child-friendly village. They are a leading development INGO in the reconstruction” stated Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister
On 19 January, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new township development was attended by Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, the President and Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The theme of the ceremony was "Rebuilding Hambantota for a New Hope and New Future". Plan was invited together with World Vision, Red Cross and GTZ as confirmed donor INGOs.
In addition to its contribution on permanent house construction, Plan provides input to the government’s house design with its approach of designing the houses with the participation of children, women and men, just as it did with the 2003 flood housing assistance.
Plan’s international appeal to date has raised US$ 9.9 million, of which US$ 3.8 million is designated to Sri Lanka.
Arunee Achakulwisut
Communications Manager
Plan Asia Regional Office
Mobile: +66 9 893 6106
Phone: +66 2 576 1972-4
Fax: +66 2 576 1978
Email : arunee.achakulwisut@plan-international.org
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net End.