EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Comprehensive rural community development is the overall objective of ASSIST’s work. However, the frequency of natural disasters like tsunamis, cyclones, fires and floods in our target areas often cause an overwhelming demand for instant aid and recovery measures.

Too often entire villages are washed away by floods or burnt to the ground by rampant fires, leaving its people not only deprived of shelter and their belongings, but also of their livelihood. ASSIST cannot but help the victims of these disasters and take up activities for immediate relief and recovery.

Immediate disaster relief activities include:

• Health care and restoration of drinking water sources
• Temporary relocation of affected communities to safer places
• Supplementing Government support for food, clothing and blankets

Recovery and prevention measures include:

• Helping to restore livelihood infrastructures for farmers and fishermen
• Repairing damaged community structures such as schools
• Extending training to community organisers on trauma counselling
• Providing emergency preparedness training in coastal areas