The Auxiliary Bishop of the Colombo Archdiocese Rt.Rev.Dr. Anthony Jayakody said funds totalling Rs 318.5 mn has been disbursed or set apart by the Archdiocese to provide relief and assistance for Easter Sunday attack victims in their churches.
Detailing the redemptive and relief measures taken by the Archdiocese towards in the aftermath of the terror attacks Bishop Jayakody said that all humanitarian aid had been utilised and mobilised to serve the injured and those affected. Rs.10 million has also been provided to the Zion Church in Batticaloa, which does not come under the Archdiocese as well.
“From the funds and the aid received by the Archdiocese of Colombo, the manner in which we utilized it up to now and how we intend to mobilize the same in the future towards the redemptive activities should be known by all,” his letter stated. “In order to be transparent in our dealing it is relevant to disclose our comprehensive ongoing action plan.”
The auxiliary bishop has detailed that the funds received were meticulously monitored and efficiently managed by the social arm of the Diocese - Seth Sarana, together with the assistance of nominated priests appointed by the Cardinal.
We wish to bring to your notice, as to how the funds received up to date were disbursed among the victims and the affected ones. The breakdown is as follows. The Children, parents, family members or relatives of the diseased 169 were granted, Rs.169 lakhs. The 330 individuals who had suffered injuries were granted, Rs.166 lakhs for the purpose of medication. The 354 families, spiritual and socially affected, have received the benefit through special projects, to the value of Rs.170 lakhs. In addition to this, the on Church in Batticoloa which does not come under the scope of the Archdiocese has been granted a donation of Rs.100 lakhs towards their affected families.
I wish to mention the programmes we have planned out of offer our services, to bring about relief and consolation for the affected ones. The affected families who do not possess a house of their own, are considered to be granted new houses. To purchase land for this purpose, Rs.531 lakhs have been allocated. For their sustenance Rs. 352 lakhs have been set apart.
To facilitate the low income families with self sustenance projects, Rs. 303 lakhs has been allocated. Rs.250 lakhs are reserved for the ones, who need further medical care. For the affected students who need assistance up to their university education may have funds of Rs.864 lakhs, for this purpose.
To uplift the spiritual and religious background of the affected ones, a sum of Rs.80 lakhs have been set apart and a further Rs.80 lakhs have been scheduled for the purpose of providing psycho-therapy and counseling facilities. In addition to this in case of emergency, to provide special and urgent requirements, a sum of Rs. 200 lakhs have been reserved. Furthermore funds that might come our way through generous benefactors in the future could be mobilised to satisfy more needs and requirements of the affected ones, after scrutiny.
I wish to make a special emphasis on the below mentioned fact. The redemptive and relief services and mechanism of the Archdiocese, will not end within a few months or years, but will go on for a long passage of time.
Disabled ones who cannot gain employment will be looked after throughout their lives and ones injured till they are completely cured. The children who have lost their parents will be taken care till they complete their higher education and gain employment. Until such time this redemptive and relief services will extend their operations, without any exception.
The majority who faced the tragedy on April 21 in Kochchikade Colombo and at Katuwapitiya in Negombo, were the ones who practiced their faith with devotion and also the ones who possessed a social status in life. Hence we do not intend to reveal their identity and highlight them as our beneficiaries. Instead we wish to preserve secrecy in order to uphold their dignity.
The redemptive and relief services were divided into three categories which include social and humanitarian assistance, development avenues related to families and individuals and psycho-therapy and counselling aspects.
He also mentioned that as there are disabled individuals, they will be looked after throughout their lives and injured ones until they are healed. Children who have lost their parents will be taken care off until they complete their higher education and gain employment. “Until such time this redemptive and relief services will extend their operations, without any exception,” the Auxiliary Bishop said in a press release.
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