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LCIF/Lions to Rebuild Communities in Tsunami Relief Effort

Click here for LCIF's Tsunami Relief Website.

LCIF has mobilized nearly US$12 million for tsunami victims in South Asia. The funds will enable Lions to build homes, schools and orphanages in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and India. Lions also will provide psychological treatment and physical rehabilitation for children and adults.

Lions worldwide donated nearly US$9 million to LCIF for tsunami relief. LCIF committed an additional US$2.5 million from its reserves as well as US$470,000 in aid it disbursed within weeks of the tragedy

Supported by LCIF grants, Lions in South Asia already have spent more than US$1 million on relief. Lions have provided hundreds of thousands people with food, water and medicine.

Using their own resources, Lions in Indonesia already have built 100 wooden homes, believed to be the first built by a non-governmental organization in Indonesia after the disaster. Lions in Sri Lanka plan to build 3,000 homes. Five hundred are under construction with occupancy expected by August. Most of the homes will be given to fishermen and their families. The 550-square-foot houses have cement-based walls and hard wood roofs with terra cotta tiles.

An LCIF-funded eyeglass mission to South Asia has shown the kind of results Lions can quickly achieve. Many South Asians lost their eyeglasses when the tsunami destroyed their homes, and few can afford a new pair. Past International Director Bill Iannaccone led a 12-member eyeglass team to Sri Lanka in February. They dispensed 1,800 pairs of glasses. More importantly, they brought along 60,000 pairs of eyeglasses and taught 125 Sri Lankan Lions how to use two donated lensometers and run an eyeglass recycling operation.

Immediately after the tsunami, Lions quickly sprang into action to provide immediate aid to survivors and worked with government officials on planning for long-term reconstruction. Thousands of Lions in many towns and villages fanned out to provide vital supplies and began to lay the groundwork for long-term rebuilding.

The real impact of LCIF's assistance to tsunami victims in South Asia will be fully realized in the next several years as LCIF partners with Lions to meet the long-term needs of communities. This approach plays to the strength of LCIF and Lions, who belong to their communities, understand local needs and know how to get things done.