The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is still at work in the tsunami-affected regions of South Asia as the one year anniversary nears.
MRDF was one of the first charities to launch an emergency appeal in December 2004 and, as a result, was able to gather over £1.4 million in donations and grants – its biggest ever response to an appeal.The money has been used by partner organisations in India and Sri Lanka to provide much-needed long-term support such as boats, fishing nets and trauma counselling.
Isabelle Carboni of MRDF recently returned from visiting south India. She said: “The people I met where overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers.
“One woman hugged me tightly, saying, ‘No one else came, no one helped us; you were the only ones here with us and you saved us from our sadness’.”
She continued: “MRDF partners were there from the beginning, sharing people’s suffering and working day and night to bring relief to these remote villages.
Villagers told Ms. Carboni how the help of MRDF “gave them hope that, even after a tragedy of this scale, they could rebuild their lives”.Ramanaiah from south India is just one of thousands facing a painful anniversary on 26th December after losing his pregnant wife and family, as well as all his worldly possessions.
MRDF partner Christian Weaker Section Development Society (CWSDS) has been working on the reconstruction of Ramanaiah’s village.
One of the top priorities has been to build a new road and villagers have contributed their own time and resources to its construction.
Ramanaiah said: “This road is our joy...For a whole week, everyone worked on the road, old and young, every family. We discussed it with CWSDS and when they promised the money it came immediately.”
MRDF is looking to churches to play a role in the long-term reconstruction. Ms. Carboni said: “Much has been achieved, but a year is a short time to replace all that was lost.
“It is clear already that small amounts of well-targeted support from the UK can make a huge difference, but the impact of the tsunami will carry on long after this December.”
