Tsunami Catastrophe Unparalleled in Human History: Evan Page

By Evan Page

The YMCA of Greater Worcester has actively been involved with the Negombo Y of Sri Lanka for close to seven years. A trip to that country now, was well in keeping with our desire to improve life for the people there. What I saw has changed me and has strengthened my resolve to continue to help in any way that I can personally, and to encourage the YMCA of the US to live out its mission in this time of need.

We arrived in Colombo on Monday afternoon, and immediately began meetings at the national Y headquarters. Representatives from the World Alliance, Asian Alliance, Korea, Japan, England, the USA and the Sri Lankan staff were present. We were updated on the current situation and relief efforts which were already taking place.

The following morning, we began the trip along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Passing through the city of Colombo (pop. 3,000,000), one would have never known that any catastrophe had occurred. The city was filled with tremendous activity like any normal business day. The only oddity: every hotel and/or guest house was full to capacity with leaders from other countries and heads of worldwide organizations. Meetings were taking place throughout the entire city in hopes of identifying strategies for immediate relief, future aid, and rebuilding the country.

As we traveled to the coastal roads, the disaster became very real. Mile after mile of homes, small businesses, resort areas that once existed, no longer stood. Everywhere I looked I saw personal belongings of displaced families strewn all over the ground and in trees, presenting the picture of one gigantic landfill. The railroad, which runs parallel to the sea and across the highway, was totally destroyed. Tracks were curled, bridges washed away, and trains looked like skeletons of their former selves. The force that hit them was very apparent.

The television media in the states has done an accurate job of reporting. This catastrophe is unparalleled in recent history. We spoke with local people about the devastating loss of lives, met with parents who had to make the wrenching decision of which of their children they would save, and heard of the enormous numbers of spouses and family members now missing and dead, as well as the heartbreaking stories of countless orphans now living in temporary shelters.

However, there is a resiliency of the human spirit with these gentle people that moves them to continue their lives, clear debris, and rebuild their homes, seemingly against all odds. All of this positive energy against a backdrop of such horrific things as 400 bodies continuing to wash ashore daily.

Foreign aid has been pouring in from numerous countries, with India being first with a shipload of food and materials. All other countries including the US, France, UK, Germany, Russia, Singapore, Austria, Japan and many others, have joined in the relief efforts. Sri Lanka has also been visited by the UN, and the head of the World Bank. I have spoken with soldiers from the US Marines, Canadian and Austrian military. They all agreed that this disaster is like nothing they have ever seen before. Each of them is involved in building bridges, repairing roads, and assisting in removing the piles of debris. The Sri Lankan military has been responsible for the burying of more than 40,000 bodies of the victims.

In the Galle area, religious and not-for-profit groups have been working with the country in setting up camps for the refugees. The displaced are housed in 523 camps, spread over 13 districts throughout the country, housing 1.5 million people. These camps provide basic needs, such as water, dry food, clothing and medical supplies. The adult survivors in the camps go daily to the affected areas and assist in the clearing of their home sites. Their children are cared for by organizations like the Y, Buddhist centers and other not-for-profit groups. Because of the trauma experienced by almost everyone, emotional needs must also be addressed, and agencies throughout Sri Lanka are seeing to this work as well. The power of the tsunami waves reached one mile inland. At the Galle YMCA, the watermarks on the walls reached five and one-half feet high.

Good will from so many volunteers is very evident throughout Sri Lanka, and the people’s gratitude is apparent. Roadways have been cleared all along the coastal areas, and supplies are being delivered by trucks, vans, planes and helicopters. Work on the railroad has begun, and discussion is underway as to how to rebuild homes, businesses, the fishing industry and tourist areas.

So much more work needs to be done. Just as other organizations seek ways to help, the YMCA of the US needs to discern how best to assist in the efforts of the Sri Lankan Y. We stand at a point in history, uniquely qualified to fulfill our mission to serve; particularly now, the suffering people of the world. We need to respond carefully, thoughtfully and lovingly as we are called to stretch out the hand of compassion. I have always been pleased to be part of this organization that readily answers the call to respond. The work has begun. It needs to be ongoing and long-term. Let us be steadfast in our support.

-Evan Page retired in July as president of the Greater Worcester YMCA. In January, at the request of the national office of the Y, he traveled to Sri Lanka to assess post-tsunami needs for that organization.