The Tamil Eelam Humanitarian Assistance Fund (TEHAF), managed by a Federation of Global Tamil Organizations (FGTO) committee, supports ongoing humanitarian efforts by groups in Tamil Eelam. Due to the ongoing genocide by the Sri Lankan state, the lack of international justice, and the economic crisis fueled by genocidal policies and military occupation, Tamils cannot rely on equitable international aid through Sinhala Buddhist extremist governments. Therefore, the Tamil diaspora should prioritize targeted humanitarian aid for the Tamil population in Tamil Eelam. Eligible groups can apply for funding at https://fgto.org/apply, provided their projects have operated for at least one year, raised over 50% of funds from other sources, align with Tamil Genocide recognition and self-determination, and submit annual reports to FGTO.
Purpose
Details
Apply
Criteria
Fundraising
Reports
Purpose
The Tamil Eelam Humanitarian Assistance Fund (TEHAF), managed by the Federation of Global Tamil Organizations (FGTO), was launched during the Global Tamil Summit in New York in 2022. TEHAF aligns with nation-building goals, aiming to foster self-sustainability among beneficiaries in the long term. It is designed to complement, not replace, existing humanitarian efforts by school alumni, village organizations, and other Tamil diaspora initiatives.
Hundreds of Tamil diaspora-led humanitarian projects currently support communities across Tamil Eelam. Despite a lack of coordination, these small and medium-scale efforts reach most of the region. TEHAF aims to bolster these initiatives by providing financial support to groups already engaged in humanitarian work.
Given the ongoing genocide against Tamils in Sri Lanka and the absence of justice through international mechanisms, Tamils cannot rely on equitable humanitarian aid from international sources channeled through Sinhala Buddhist extremist governments. Therefore, the Tamil diaspora must focus its humanitarian efforts on directly supporting the Tamil population in Tamil Eelam, particularly amid the economic crisis exacerbated by genocidal policies and the Sri Lankan military occupation.
Details
TEHAF Implementation Details
- TEHAF Committee Formation within FGTO
- A committee of at least three members with expertise in fund management, reporting, and professional evaluation will be established.
- Responsibilities include managing fundraising and the TEHAF fund, evaluating and recommending fund recipients to the FGTO Board of Directors, and producing annual reports for both FGTO and public transparency.
- Accountability and Fund Distribution
- All TEHAF transactions will be documented in FGTO’s annual financial statements for transparency.
- Humanitarian groups can apply for funding via the Google form at https://fgto.org/apply, submitting project details, organization information, the previous year’s project report, the current year’s plan, and supporting documents.
- The TEHAF Evaluation Committee will periodically review applications, select recipients, and recommend them to the FGTO Board for approval.
- Upon board approval, funds will be disbursed, and the committee will follow up to ensure recipients submit annual reports.
Apply
Humanitarian organizations can apply for the Tamil Eelam Humanitarian Assistance Fund (TEHAF) to support specific projects by submitting an application through the Google form at https://fgto.org/apply. Applicants should allow one month for the evaluation process to complete. If no response is received within a month, please contact FGTO to check the application status.
Criteria
TEHAF Funding Criteria
- Matching Funds Requirement: Projects receiving TEHAF funding must secure at least 50% of their budget from other sources.
- Project Experience: Applicant projects must have completed at least one year of work and provide a detailed report of the previous year’s activities to the TEHAF Evaluation Committee.
- Geographic Focus: Until the safety of Tamils in Tamil Eelam is ensured, only projects serving the Tamil Eelam population are eligible. Once safety is assured, the fund may expand globally, subject to thorough evaluation.
- Alignment with Principles: Funded projects must align with the recognition of the Tamil Genocide and support Tamil self-determination.
- Direct Funding by Member Organizations: If a member organization directly funds a chosen project, it must receive prior approval from the TEHAF Committee.
Fundraising
Support TEHAF through Donations
- Donate Directly: Contribute to the Tamil Eelam Humanitarian Assistance Fund (TEHAF) at https://fgto.org/donate.
- Member Organization Campaigns: Support fundraising efforts by member organizations, such as the Ottawa Tamil Association’s Fall Donation campaign at https://ottawatamilassociation.ca/falldonation or their 2023 GoFundMe campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/f/ottawa-tamil-association-9th-fall-donation-2023.
- Fundraising Channels: Donations are raised through online platforms, fundraising events by member organizations, and special events dedicated to TEHAF.
- Collaborative Funding: Member organizations can collaboratively raise funds for specific projects and channel them through TEHAF, with prior approval from the TEHAF Committee, to support targeted humanitarian initiatives in Tamil Eelam.
Reports
TEHAF Funded Projects Report
- 2025 Funded Projects:
- Healing Opportunity for Persons for Empowerment (HOPE): Received CAD $1,000 to support its multi-year Multi Skills Development project in Trincomalee. HOPE focuses on empowering persons with disabilities (PWD) through education, medical care, vocational training, and community-based rehabilitation (CBR).
- 2024 Funded Projects:
- Senthil Kumaran’s Relief Agency (Nivaranam): Received CAD $1,000 to support its diverse humanitarian initiatives in the region. (Reference: https://x.com/CanHCSriLanka/status/1800757506949439569)
- 2023 Funded Projects:
- Aram USA: A 501(c)(3) organization awarded CAD $1,000 for its educational programs in war-affected Tamil districts.
- Aalam Viluthugal: Received CAD $1,000, benefiting underprivileged Tamils in Tamil Eelam, specifically in Vanni and Batticaloa.
- Uyirilai Spinal Cord Injury Association in Vanni: Granted CAD $1,000 for its ongoing work since 2011, supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries.
details of HOPE projects
other disability NGOs