© 2007 Catholic Relief Services
Read stories of hope made possible by faith, determination and compassion.
Life is gradually returning to normal for the people living in tsunami-affected areas.
Reports on program plans and spending to help families and communities rebuild.
With almost 65 years of experience delivering humanitarian assistance throughout the world, CRS has a strong background in emergency preparedness and response. Our local and international staff is made up of seasoned professionals who have worked in some of the most dire conflicts and emergencies around the world. We are well-trained, well-equipped and well-positioned to respond to crises of this nature.
Our vast network of programs and partnerships in countries affected by the tsunami enabled CRS to mobilize a response within hours after the tsunami struck. CRS is working directly with affected communities and local partners to help restore and strengthen communities affected by this disaster.
CRS teams are working to help millions of people struggling to rebuild their lives in the wake of the catastrophic tsunami. We deployed dozens of additional staff to the region and opened three new offices in Indonesia, the country hardest hit by the tsunami. Our work to support survivors has been delivered in three phases: immediate relief, recovery and rehabilitation. We are now progressing from recovery to the rehabilitation phase of our response.
CRS has plans to spend $205 million to help rebuild communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India and other affected areas over the next five years.Thanks to the unprecedented generosity of American donors, who have contributed $175 million in private revenue (as of December 31, 2007), CRS has also been awarded approximately $29 million from the U.S. government and other institutional donors. This brings our total revenue to $204 million.
CRS relief and rehabilitation programs are focused primarily in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
Our work to support survivors has been delivered in three phases: immediate relief, recovery and rehabilitation. Our help in the past or at present includes:
Recovery from an emergency of this magnitude will take years. CRS focuses on long-term recovery and rehabilitation after any natural or man-made disaster. By doing so, we provide survivors with the tools and capacity to help rebuild their own lives. In turn, this enables them to become more self-sufficient and ensures they have an opportunity to realize their full potential. Our programs are now transitioning from recovery to the rehabilitation phase.
The Catholic community and American public have demonstrated enormous generosity in response to this crisis. It is unprecedented and moving, and we are very grateful. We have faith that people will continue to provide what they can to help others around the world who continue to be in need.
CRS is an efficient and effective organization. In fiscal year 2007, no less than 94 percent of private donations designated for tsunami relief went directly to support CRS programs that benefit tsunami survivors.
The anticipated overall spending through fiscal year 2009 to provide emergency and long-term reconstruction assistance in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India is $205 million. This level of response is possible largely because of the unprecedented support of the American public. Catholic Relief Services expects to spend more than $176 million in private revenues to help survivors. To meet our long-term commitment to help communities rebuild, CRS has also been awarded approximately $29 million from the U.S. government and other institutional donors.