In the Aftermath of the Tsunami Disaster: Gender Identities in Sri Lanka1

12 One of the important responses of women's groups to the needs of women survivors was the setting up of the Coalition for Assisting Tsunami Affected Women (CATAW). The main concern was to help build the capacity of locally-based women's organisations dealing with tsunami recovery and rehabilitation efforts and to lobby to ensure that women's concerns are met and that women are included in decision making positions and processes at the local, regional and national level. Coalition for Assisting Tsunami Affected Women (CATAW). (2005). 'Briefing Note 1: Women's Groups Appeal for an Inclusive Framework for Disaster Response' Colombo; CATAW (2005). 'briefing Note 2; National Committee on Women (2006). Op.cit. 13 National Committee on Women. Op.cit.; CATAW (2005). Ibid; Asia Pacific Women, Law and Development. (2006). Tsunami Aftermath: Violations of women's human rights in Sri Lanka. Chiang Mai; Goonesekere, S. (2006). Op.cit.; Action Aid. (2007). Citizens Report on Violations of Women's Rights in the Aftermath of the Tsunami. Colombo,- Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. (2005). Report of the Women's Dhision: Disaster Relief Monitoring Unit. August; CATAW (2007). Women's Stories. Forthcoming. Colombo. 14 Among the organisations which responded immediately to the needs articulated by women's groups working in the tsunami affected areas of the East, North and South of the country beginning on December 29*, 2004, were the Sri Lanka Women's NGO Forum comprising Women and Media Collective, Centre for Women's Research, Women's Education and Research Centre, Voice of Women, Ruk Rekaganno, Kantha Shakthi, Sri Lanka Federation of University Women, the Mothers and Daughters of Lanka and, the Women's Development Foundation, Kurunegala.