From FEDERATION NEWS 01/01
On December 29 the International Federation
launched a preliminary
appeal for 525,000 Swiss francs
to assist 10,000 people with shelter, kitchen utensils, clothing and blankets,
following a cyclone in Sri Lanka. The cyclone, on December 26, brought
48 hours of heavy rain and powerful winds. As well as an estimated 35,000
homeless, thousands of other people have been affected. The Sri Lanka Red
Cross mobilised 4,000 volunteers. "The efficient way in which the
local Red Cross branches have reacted to the cyclone is in part due to
the tremendous work we have done on disaster preparedness," said the
Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Ervin Bulathsinghala.
The Federation released 100,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency
Fund to start the operation and is currently cooperating with the National
Society and ICRC to assess further the most urgent needs.
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