This project is among several that JDC is undertaking in South Asia with partner NGOs to assist communities as they address long-term needs resulting from the tsunami that ravaged the region in December and caused more than 280,000 casualties. Specific locations, budget and the number of playgrounds are still being discussed.

The playgrounds will be designed to meet the needs of local communities and will serve as linkages to other relief interventions and youth-oriented community development projects throughout the country. The focus will be on creating safe, distinct and quality play spaces for children living in coastal Sri Lanka.

JDC is considering an initial contribution of $500,000 for the project while participating actively in the project's planning, design and development. The agency will also be consulting with experts from Israel and the US regarding safety and durability standards and it will provide professional consultation with Sri Lankan NGO Sarvodaya on strategies to engage local communities.

"We are thrilled that the Prime Minister is taking a personal interest in our work," Goldstein said. "These play spaces are going to promote physical and emotional recovery and future growth for the children who will be able to use these spaces. This is another example of the strong partnerships JDC is forming with the excellent agencies in South Asia in order to maximize the effect of our donors’ generosity.

"There is a real spirit of cooperation here, which is allowing such projects to take place."

Since the tsunami hit, JDC has collected more than $18 million for relief from individuals, foundations and Jewish federations throughout North America. Other JDC projects in the region include:

Indonesia:
JDC is working with its long-time partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), in hard-hit Aceh Province. JDC assistance is enabling IRC to carry out its child protection and psychosocial support program. Child protection staff trained local midwives and nurses, as these professionals can identify protection issues through their frequent contact with community members. In February, child registration and family tracing began in cooperation with entities such as Save the Children, UNICEF, and the Indonesian Social Welfare Ministry.

"Child Friendly Spaces" have been established in three districts. They provide displaced children with psychosocial activities that will transition into more formal after-school programs as local teachers are trained in psychosocial awareness and meeting the needs of child trauma victims.

Last week, JDC operated an independent distribution of plastic drinking containers, hospital linens and other medical equipment.

Sri Lanka:
JDC is working with the renowned local organization, Sarvodaya, in the most severely affected districts of Ampara, Kalmunai, and Batticaloa on the east coast, and in Galle, on Sri Lanka’s southern tip. Some 47,000 individuals will benefit, from psychosocial and economic empowerment projects many of whom will be children, women and the elderly.

Through the "Rehabilitating Homes in Galle" project, 100 lower middle class families that are not receiving assistance from any other source are being provided with furniture, bedding, kitchen utensils, cutlery, and linens so that they can return to their homes once repairs are completed.

In partnership with Rotary/Sri Lanka, JDC will rebuild a primary school in Galle that was completely destroyed by the tsunami. The 800 students are currently receiving their lessons in makeshift huts. A local Buddhist temple is donating the land for the school.

India:
JDC is partnering with various local NGOs in the states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, all severely affected by the tsunami.

Work with the Disaster Mitigation Institute focuses on providing shelter and reestablishing livelihoods, as well as distributing emergency items to the poor. Five hundred shelters were constructed in 5 villages of the Vellupuram district of Tamil Nadu. Small grants are helping to revive the livelihoods of 1,200 families in 10 villages, ensuring that at least one member of each family has work for 100 days as the Government completes its employment revitalization plans. Local technical experts, bankers, career planners and enterprise developers will mentor up to 300 youth who wish to start new occupations in (non-fishing) higher value sectors, such as in marketing, trade, and the service sector.

In collaboration with the Meenakshi Mission Hospital, pharmaceuticals valued at over $300,000 are being distributed through mobile clinics in the state of Tamil Nadu. A partnership with the Israeli NGO, Brit Olam/Topaz, is enabling 12 Israeli medical and health professionals to serve as volunteers. They are working side-by-side with professionals from the Meenakshi Mission Hospital. A Magen David Adom (MDA) expert in infectious diseases headed the first team of medical volunteers. The team provided medical care, psychosocial support, and instruction on personal hygiene and disease prevention.

A partnership with Caritas/Catholic Relief provided 750 families in Vypen Island, Kerala with food and 500 families with kitchen utensils. In Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, food was provided to 1,500 families over a three-month period. In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, 2,500 families received food. Five hundred children were given kits, uniforms, exercise books, and bags that enabled them to return to school. In Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, food was provided to 500 families that took part in community rehabilitation activities, such as clearing debris and restoring sanitation facilities.

JDC also partnered with Vardhman Sanskar Dham (VSD Trust) in Aayampettai village in Cuddlaore, Tamil Nadu where 67 families were provided with shelter.

Thailand:
JDC is partnering with the local NGO, Population and Community Development Association (PDA) and the Israeli Embassy to establish 10 "healing camps" for 500 youth from the south. They will take part in activities such as hiking and swimming, as well as classes on topics such as the dangers of drug use over a one-week period in a supportive environment.

Forty-five Muslim youth between 18-24 years old participated in the first camp session. All were from Krabi and Phnang Nga Provinces. Youth from the north and northeast served as camp counselors.

JDC has also joined with PDA to rehabilitate the village of Ban Pat in Muang District, Phang Nga Province, where seafood fishing was the main source of income. In addition to the loss of equipment and jobs, homes and boats were washed away. The full loss to the village was estimated at $225,000. School scholarships, meals, clothes, and supplies are now being provided; income-generating activities will be restored; and water, sanitation and waste management services will be reestablished. Village residents are involved in all aspects of the rehabilitation process.

PDA, with JDC support, is providing lunch trays and utensils to 12 schools in Krabi and Phang Nga that have begun farm projects that enable students to receive meals.

An initial partnership with Chabad/Thailand allowed medical help, meals, and clothing to be provided to tsunami survivors. JDC is now supporting a livelihood-retraining project that will provide former fishermen and farmers living in displaced persons camps with skills in woodworking. The workshops will open up new work opportunities and provide much-needed furniture for use in camps, homes, and local schools.

About USAID:
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.