NCPA help for tsunami - hit children

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) will implement a countrywide programme to upgrade the psychological and educational development of tsunami affected children.

The main objective is assisting tsunami affected children to grow up as normal citizens in a healthy environment. The guardianship of all tsunami affected children have been granted to the NCPA by the Tsunami Special Regulation Act no.16 of 2005, a spokesman said.

The spokesman said under this programme to be implemented with financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and A/V Fund, one child who lost one parent will receive Rs.5,000 deposited to a bank account and all children above 16 living with their guardians will be included in a Foster Parent Scheme and grant a monthly payment of Rs.750 until they reach 18.

A bursary project will be introduced for children facing grave financial difficulties and living with guardians. All tsunami affected children who are above 16 will be directed to vocational training programmes. Financial assistance will also be granted to sick children.

The NCPA will monitor the development of all tsunami affected children through its post-monitoring programme. The NCPA requested the public to provide details of all tsunami affected children to the Chairman, NCPA, 330, Thalawathugoda Road, Madiwela, Sri Jayawardenepura (Fax 0112778915) to update its database.