In response to the devastation caused by the tsunami, scores of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governmental organizations, and private citizens have been rebuilding the tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka. This massive aid effort has been impaired, however, by the absence of a comprehensive database of information detailing the progress of reconstruction and rehabilitation in all affected areas. This missing source hampers the ability of relief agencies to coordinate their efforts so as to minimize duplication and maximize efficiency.

The Tsunami Voices website provides a forum for the organized exchange of such information in Sri Lanka. Project Galle 2005 (PG05) has facilitated the start-up and provided seed funding for the ambitious project. Tsunami Voices workers and PGO5 volunteers are now compiling existing data from government coordinating agencies and (NGOs). They will then rely on up-to-date objective facts gathered by hired local investigators and PG05 field teams. Information to be gathered includes camp location, demographics, conditions, services provided, housing plans, availability of water, toilets and electricity, and other data crucial to the coordination of relief efforts.

The goal of Tsunami Voices is to facilitate effective, informed decision-making by coordinating agencies, NGOs, and government officials within the aid effort. All information gathered will be made available in a district information center, online through the Tsunami Voices website, and in a database using the Microsoft Access software program. Access is a user-friendly program that is generally accepted as an excellent program for data compilation. It is also compatible with other database and spreadsheet designs. The Access database will be provided to interested agencies and government officials for easy access and automatic updated information.

Some information stored on the Access database will be enhanced by the generous loan of two Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to Tsunami Voices from the United Nations Humanitarian Information Center (UNHIC). PG05 volunteers have begun to use the devices to identify important issues within the internally displaced persons (IDP) communities. These devices will geographically pinpoint, for example:

• latrines;
• water barrels in the camp;
• wells;
• cesspools;
• blocked drains;


In time, Tsunami Voices will also provide information through Geographical Information System (GIS) software. GIS would allow us to accurately overlay the information we compile onto maps and satellite images of Sri Lanka. GIS mapping could be used to provide accurate and detailed information on the identity and location of NGOs and their activities, as well as water and sanitation problems, medical facilities in need of upgrade, IDP population densities, flood plains and IDP communities affected by flooding, and other data.

UNHCR, UNHIC, and UNOCHA have given their support to Tsunami Voices. Funding is sought for more detailed and comprehensive information-gathering and publishing on all affected communities in Sri Lanka.