The Launch of book about healing tsunami - afflicted communities

SINGAPORE, 5 DECEMBER 2009 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) observe the spirit of volunteerism with the launch of Beyond the Tsunami – Rebuilding Communities, Touching Lives – a book about tsunami-afflicted communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Singapore’s role in their road to recovery.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean was the Guest-of-Honour at the event. He presented the book to representatives of volunteer welfare organisations (VWOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who worked with the SRC to roll out reconstruction and rehabilitation projects for the survivors of the Asian Tsunami, as well as volunteers who went with the LST RSS Endeavour to Meulaboh, Indonesia in the disaster’s initial relief phase.

Referring to the support and assistance Singaporeans rendered to the survivors, he addressed the attendees with a speech about the merits of volunteerism.

“This example of volunteerism is touching and inspiring, and as a Singaporean, I am proud that our countrymen have made a lasting impression in the hearts of so many” said Guest-of-Honour, Mr Teo Chee Hean, DPM and Minister for Defence

Five years after one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent times hit Asia and as the last project is concluded, the Tidal Waves Asia Fund (TWAF) comes to a close. Safeguarding about S$89 million in public donations, which includes S$1 million given by the Singapore government, 100 per cent of the TWAF has been fully utilised to fund almost 70 reconstruction and rehabilitation projects for the tsunami-afflicted communities.  

Together with over 33 Singaporean VWOS and NGOS, the SRC focused on four aspects of rehabilitation to ensure long-term sustainability for the communities. Namely economic livelihood, community and housing, education and healthcare, it was imperative for the partners to take these particular steps to enable self-sustainability within these communities.

The Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee (TRFC) – a group of individuals from various organisations and led by the chairman of SRC – took on the mammoth task of ensuring accountability for the 69 projects. TRFC was initially chaired by Lieutenant-General Winston Choo, the former chairman of SRC who also laid the foundations for the governance of the TWAF. His successor is Mr Tee Tua Ba, the current chairman of SRC.

Mr Tee commended the TRFC and the volunteers who contributed their time and efforts amidst their busy schedules to the implementation of the projects. “I would like to thank all the volunteers who were involved in the long and detailed process of executing these projects. Without them, our efforts would not have materialised,” said Mr Tee. “We have put Singapore on the international map and in the hearts of the tsunami survivors,”

Beyond the Tsunami – Rebuilding Communities, Touching Lives, traces the events from the time the tsunami struck, to the relief and recovery phase initiated by the SAF and subsequently facilitated by the SRC, to the various reconstruction and rehabilitation projects that SRC and its 33 partners undertook. The book also includes excerpts written by volunteers, partners and beneficiaries about their first-hand involvement in the projects, as well as the financial information of the TWAF.

Mr. Stanley Tan, Chairman, National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, mentioned that the events of 2004 took an emotional and physical toll on the lives of survivors and volunteers alike. But, by the same token, it also brought out the best in volunteers, uniting many willing hands and generous hearts in the relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts that followed.  Mr. Tan added that he hoped that this simple ceremony and the launch of this wonderful commemorative book would go a small way towards bringing closure for everyone who was involved.


JOINTLY ISSUED BY SINGAPORE RED CROSS SOCIETY &
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER AND PHILANTHROPY CENTRE
5 DECEMBER 2009