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Tamil Fund Raising used for genuine humanitarian and development purposes |
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Tamil relief organisation given seal of approval
In a statement released by the Australian Council for International Development
(ACFID), the Executive Director, Paul O'Callaghan states "Australians can be confident
that their donations to Australian non-profit agencies which are signatories to the ACFID Code of Conduct are being used for genuine humanitarian and development purposes". The Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) in Australia raised over a million dollars in tsunami relief aid in 2005 and continues to raise funds to assist with relief and rehabilitation work for the war- affected civilians / internally displaced people [IDPs] in the Northeast of Sri Lanka.
TRO Australia continues to be a full and compliant signatory to the ACFID Code of
Conduct and has submitted independently audited financials since its inception in 1995.
Director and spokesperson Dr.Easwaran Kanapathipillai says that: "Every dollar donated to TRO by the Australian public is completely accounted for and can be traced to humanitarian projects in Sri Lanka. Our donors’ funds are used by a Sri Lankan charity registered under the appropriate national laws."
In relation to the recent accusations levelled against charity organisations in Australia by some sections of the community and authorities, that tsunami funds may have been redirected inappropriately and illegally, Dr.Kanapathipillai says "At no stage did we transfer funds to any other than the specified relief and rehabilitation purposes.
TRO Australia has strictly adhered to the ACFID Code's principles of Integrity, Values & Accountability at all times and in particular the post tsunami periodical reporting by us were well received / acknowledged by ACFID”.
"We were simply overawed by the generosity of the Australian public in the aftermath of the tsunami and we have continued to honour the trust that Australians placed in us," he says.
In recognition of this support we launched our 2006 'Thank You Australia” campaign to demonstrate to the public how their money was spent.
For further information, contact:
Dr.Easwaran Kanapathipillai -Director/Spokesperson- Ph: 0413 506 183.
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