COLOMBO, June 23, 2017– Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka will assist families affected by what is reportedly the worst flood in over a decade through shelter and sanitation solutions. Water, sanitation and hygiene kits will be distributed to families in badly hit Kalutara district in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, during the initial phase of the response. Habitat will also work with displaced families to construct permanent houses during the recovery phase.
In late May, flooding and landslides brought on by Cyclone Mora affected more than 630,000 people. Over 210 people died and more than 18,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sri Lanka. As flood waters subsided, there is an urgent need for emergency shelter and sanitation and hygiene services as more displaced people start to return home.
“Along with clean water and safe sanitation, shelter is an immediate priority for vulnerable families in the aftermath of the flooding. Our approach is to help affected families find lasting solutions to their shelter needs. Donations are crucial to help families rebuild after the disaster,” said Dinesh Kanagaratnam, National Director, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka.
Donations can be made online at habitatsrilanka.org/donate.
Habitat for Humanity has operated in Sri Lanka since 1995, supporting families affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami and internally displaced people to secure decent shelter. Habitat has worldwide experience in responding to disasters such as Cyclone Winston in Fiji last year, the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013.
Notes to Editors
To set up interviews, receive photography or further information, please contact Melissa Jayasuriya at melissa@hfhsl.org or +94 77 3340 971.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 2.2 million people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.
About Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka
Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka has assisted more than 23,000 families by building and improving places they can call home. Habitat Sri Lanka also helps families to build or repair water and sanitation facilities and provides WASH training in communities.