£1,000 of immediate aid was sent in early January to our partner Moses Prem Kumar who himself spent a week up to his neck in water rescuing and recovering property and people. He had the trauma with others, of handling so many dead children who were tragically drowned as the waves come in and sucked them out to sea with a heavy undertow.

Moses provided immediate blankets, food and shelter in his own home to over 75 who had lost homes and loved ones and it was encouraging to see full photographic evidence of the wise use of the money sent.

This contrasted with widespread reports of financial corruption and misuse of government funding. Almost all of the project work and initial relief in evidence was from churches and specific privately funded charities right down the 30 miles of coast we visited and photographed.

The most immediate needs are for secure housing to be built on land owned by the local fishing communities who have been particularly devastated. A brick based house with thatched roof costs around £350 and will accommodate one family and a 50 kilo fishing net which can support two families and enable them to provide for themselves is about £250. Food and water is readily available and rice is currently £9 for a 25 kilo bag.

Eagles Wings is funding a package of houses, fishing nets and food to be managed personally by Moses Prem Kumar who has demonstrated financial integrity in all of his dealings with us. He will oversee the purchase of materials, nets, food and provide us with a financial report and evidence of completion of the building work in May to July 2005