austraLasia 993
Mission Councillor informs Mission and Development Offices of next stage in aid relief
and requests effective coordination for the long-term
ROME: 10th January 2005 -- The Salesian Missions Councillor, Fr Francis Alencherry, has written an important letter to directors of Salesian Mission, Development Offices and NGOs informing them of the coordination required to enable the second stage of aid operations to Southeast Asian countries affected by 26th December Tsunami.
Salesian aid to these areas has already been substantial, he notes, especially since 93 Salesian communities on the spot in major areas of destruction have been able to open their doors and provide personnel for the immediate and first stage of urgent help. No Salesian structures were severely damaged.
Fr Alencherry asks that all the major funding volunteer organisations conducted by Salesians (there are many) work through VIS, the Italian-based Salesian International Volunteer Agency for Development, at least to the point of informing VIS Vice President Fr Colombo of the intentions to direct aid. This way it ensures that the funds are directed in a properly coordinated fashion.
The coordination is not only for funds. VIS is also in a position to help with personnel where it is deemed necessary.
Under the so-called Don Bosco Network or DBN, an umbrella NGO recognised by the EU, there are at least seven nationally-based Salesian NGO's. In addition to DBN there are Mission and Development offices in the USA and Australia and in several other parts of the Salesian world. All have been responding generously to needs.
The Salesian relief effort, ultimately under the aegis of the Rector Major Fr Chavez, but handled day-by-day through the efforts of Fr Alencherry and VIS, is now firmly aimed at rehabilitation and development.
The centralised effort is in line with the world-wide reality of this disaster. At the level of international cooperation, initially the US had proposed a 'coalition' with Australia, Japan and India to respond to the massive needs, but soon realised that a much more world-based coordination was needed via the UN. On a smaller scale, but still quite significant, the SDB worldwide and 16,000 strong religious community sees a need in the circumstances to act similarly, while also recognising the ability and desire of the various NGOs to respond to needs that are brought to their attention.
For those in the EAO (East Asia-Oceania) Salesian region, a useful VIS contact is Ms. Emanuela Chiang, Asia desk-officer (chiang@volint.it)__________________________________
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