Tsunami-hit fishermen neglected by NGOs, says Jaffna federation

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 03:59 GMT]
Most of the national and international non-governmental organizations which came forward to provide assistance as soon as tusnami hit the northern coast have now withdrawn from the scene without restoring normalcy in the lives of tsunami affected people, alleged Mr.K.Thavaratnam, President of Jaffna District Fisheries Societies' Federation at a press briefing held Monday at the consortium office. Only one permanent house has been constructed up to now in Jaffna district for tsunami-affected fishermen, he said.

Fishing boats and gear supplied by some NGOs to beneficiaries were found to be outdated. Jaffna fishermen rejected these boats and gear more than twenty years old as not fit for fishing in northern sea, he further said.

Jaffna government officials have suspended the distribution of such outdated boats and fishing gear following representations to them by fishing societies, he added.

Jaffna district secretariat officials confirmed that only one permanent house has been constructed for a family affected by tsunami, he said.