Book Aid International Asia Earthquake Response
The earthquake in the Indian ocean has devastated the lives of more than a million people. The first priority must be to ensure that emergency relief in the form of food, sanitation and shelter gets through to those who need it.
There will undoubtedly be a need for books to equip school and community libraries that have been damaged or destroyed. Book Aid International recently heard from W.A.Abeysinghe the Chairman of the National Library and Documentation Services Board (NLDSB) in Sri Lanka about the problems they are facing,
“It is estimated that over one million people in the country have been affected by this phenomenal tragedy. Amidst this catastrophe a large number of school libraries, community libraries, children libraries, public libraries... in the affected areas either have either been completely destroyed or severely affected.”
Fifty-two community libraries have been damaged or destroyed and Book Aid International will be working with the NLDSB to rebuild collections of books. We are also looking to support the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation to offer support to Tamil communities in the north and east of Sri Lanka.
Book Aid International is also in contact with the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), who are working to support the early restoration of library services in order to build community confidence and provide the necessary information to assist reconstruction, health services and education.
At the moment, it is too early for book donations to be usefully made to the affected areas. A basic level of infrastructure must be in place in order to ensure that books can go to the places where they are most needed and can be made accessible to all.
Book Aid International is keen to promote best practice in the book trade's response to this disaster. The charity has produced guidance notes, in association with the Publishers Association, for making book donations in the aftermath of conflict and disaster, which are available on request.
Any publishers and booksellers interested in further information or to enquire about book or financial donations for the affected region through Book Aid International should contact Lesley Pinder in 020 7733 3577 or by email.