austraLasia 981
Asia Quake: how the Salesians are organising funds from the rest of the world
ROME: 3rd January '05 -- Just over a week later, and the Salesians, as a worldwide organisation, are closely involved in the relief operation around Indian Ocean nations affected by the Tsunami on 26th December 2004.
There are some 600 Salesians from 93 communities 'on the ground' helping directly in terms of immediate assistance - amongst their own people. They have the advantage of knowing the language and knowing the needs, and are obviously well-placed for the most immediate help, as well as thinking through longer-term responses. Their most immediate response however has been to offer shelter to thousands of temporary refugees.
From Rome, the decision has been made to coordinate funds that have been pouring in either directly from Salesian sources or from many other people, especially throughout Europe, and to encourage people to work via this coordination. The 'Don Bosco Network' is an Umbrella organisation recognised by the EU comprising seven European Salesian-based NGO's, and as such has the possibility or coordinating very large efforts and transferring funds with the least hassle. Both the Rector Major and the Missions Councillor in Rome are kept well-informed of each situation in countries where Salesians are, and consequently are in a good position to determine funding allocations according to need.
The very first response from Rome was an amount of 50,000 Euros to the most severely affected areas where Salesians are close to the tragedy - Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. This was before funds began to come in. Now that additional funds are available, the coordination of further funding through the Salesians is being managed by Fr Ferdinand Colombo of VIS (the Italian based Salesian Volunteer Organisation). VIS already has volunteers in most of the affected areas and has been asked to help coordinate the worldwide Salesian relief effort.
VIS has adopted a five point set of criteria with which to make funding recommendations to the Rector Major: 1. Water, food and medicines to those immediately in need of such 2. offer of shelter to those who have lost homes, especially for children, orphans 3. beginning the process of rebuilding of homes, provision of sanitation and rebuilding schools 4. providing tools for work - nets, boats, agricultural implements 5. looking to the longer term support especially of children.
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'austraLasia' is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia-Pacific. It functions also as an agency for ANS, based in Rome. Try also www.bosconet.aust.com and Lexisdb
