Green Cross offers support for tsunami survivors

Green Cross Assistance Program (GCA), part of Florida State University's Academy of Traumatology, has come forward to assist Sri Lanka's Tsunami survivors deal with the pain and suffering caused by offering to train Sports Oriented People in the area of Trauma Support.

GCA, which came into existence aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing in America, will work with Sri Lanka Cricket's `Cricket-Aid' program designed to assist people affected by the Tsunami of December 26, 2004. Green Cross has at its service mental health professionals from a wide array of disciplines to assist in natural and human-caused disasters and has sent a team of professionals to train Sri Lankan lay persons as well as health workers in the area of trauma support.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket, Green Cross officials were eager to help when contacted and got down to the task immediately. Green Cross approach places great deal of emphasis on training locals to counsel people impacted by natural and man-made disasters. According to the Academy of Traumatology Director, Dr. Charles Figley, "The philosophy of the Green Cross is to go only when invited, stay as long as welcomed, and apply post-trauma community action methods that respect and draw upon local wisdoms and traditions". According to Sri Lanka Cricket, Green Cross' philosophy is consistent with its own goal of helping victims help themselves.

David Tredrea, Team Leader of Green Cross' is in Sri Lanka with a team of professionals to conduct programmes in support Tsunami survivors.

A five-day programme was initiated on 17th under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Sports Hon. Sripathy Sooriyarachchi. In the presence of Mr.Thilanga Sumathipala Chairman Cricket Aid, Mr. David Tredrea, Green Cross Team Leader, Mr. Jim Hussey, Licenced Professional Counselor Community Mental Health therapist and trainer, and other team professionals of GCA, also present were officials of the Sports Ministry, Sri Lanka Cricket , Representatives from other sports bodies and a large number of participants for this programme.