Summer 2005: Tsunami update
In the aftermath of the Tsunami that devastated South East Asia Bóthar along with its project partner Heifer International has been working tirelessly to aid post Tsunami recovery.
Across Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and other affected countries communities have been wiped out, animals killed and livelihoods lost. In Sumatra, as elsewhere throughout the region, the devastating effects of the earthquake destroyed many farm animals, including water buffalo, poultry and goats. However, Bóthar is relieved to report that none of our projects already set up were affected and field staff and project families were unharmed.
Field staff in Sumatra have recently given us a thorough assessment of the area and have recommended specifically that we expand our programmes in Sumatra, one of the areas hardest hit by the disaster. Bóthar have committed €100,000 to these projects to help survivors move beyond relief and help them to fully recover and rebuild their lives over the long-term. We are aiming to provide training, livestock and veterinary backup to help victims help themselves. Tsunami survivors are going to need help for years to come in order to re-establish them with livelihoods. Let us not forget that it is the poorest of the poor who will now suffer the most, those people who had the least to begin with and for whom recovery is most difficult.
Bóthar is now helping to establish families in the area with their own farming unit. Cattle, water buffalo, goats, ducks and fish fingerlings will be used to help these struggling families. Water buffalo, for example, provide nutritious milk, which helps to improve a families diet and can be sold to earn an income. They are also used for draft power to plough the small plots of land. Without this draft power the process of replanting crops will be slowed down dramatically. There has been huge loss of crops in the area due to the disaster and not only does this affect their staple diet but has also destroyed their main source of income.
The process of helping these families to rebuild their small farms has commenced and Bóthar will be sticking with them for the long haul to ensure they have the best opportunity for a bright future.
The Bó Vine Summer 2005
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