Clean water for devastated Sri Lanka 

"There is an urgent need for water, health care and reasonable sanitation facilities in the refugee camps that are now home to large numbers of people, as well as a need to establish water and sanitation facilities throughout these areas generally."

Such is the report from COWI market area manager Vagn Rehøj, who has been in Sri Lanka since 11 January. On behalf of Danida he has spent the two last weeks touring coastal areas in the south of the island that were devastated by the tsunami to assess clean water and sanitation requirements in the short and long term.

Inconceivable

The assessment, due to be completed by the end of January, will form part of the basis for the State Finance Committee’s grant of approximately DKK 50 million to Sri Lanka

"The TV images are not lying. In coastal areas the tsunami has swept up to a kilometre inland, washing away all in its path. In some parts the devastation resembles what we have seen in Banda Aceh on Sumatra. It is inconceivable, you can hardly believe what you are seeing," says Vagn Rehøj.

Many local staff

COWI has extensive experience from Sri Lanka. There are 58 local staff on the island in connection with a large water and sanitation project, and some of these staff are now also working on the Danida assignment. Another reason Vagn Rehøj is in Sri Lanka is to provide support for local staff, none of whom came to grief when the tsunami struck.

DKK 100,000 towards humanitarian assistance Immediately following the disaster, COWI donated DKK 100,000 towards providing acute help. Some of this money has been used to purchase pumps to cleanse open wells of salt water. The remainder has gone via local NGOs towards general humanitarian assistance.

"We have donated money where the needs are greatest,” explains Vagn Rehøj. “This can be anything from getting food into isolated areas, setting up latrines or providing information on health matters. By donating the money to local NGOs, we know it will be put to the best possible use."

By Janne Toft Jensen, jaje@cowi.dk

Posted: 24.01.2005