IFRC launches emergency appeal following devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka
May 25, 2016, Colombo: Today the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a 3.6 million Swiss Franc emergency appeal (USD 3.65, Euros 3.26) to help the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society deliver relief and recovery assistance to 40,000 people following what many consider to be Sri Lanka’s worst floods in 25 years.
From May 14, heavy downpours caused by a tropical depression in the Bay of Bengal have caused extensive flash-floods which, at their peak, affected over 420,000 people across 22 of the country’s 25 districts. As of now, 84 people are known to have died and 116 remain missing, most as a result of two deadly landslides in Aranayake, in the hills of Kegalle district.
Since the onset of the flooding, up to 400 Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers have been actively working in the five worst affected districts of the country helping in search and rescue efforts as well as delivering aid and administering first aid and psychological support to flood victims.
“So far our services have reached 140,000 people,” said Jagath Abeysinghe, President of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. “Our volunteers have played a critical role as first responders, warning communities to get to safety, helping to evacuate them and continuing to look after their welfare in temporary evacuation centres.”
More than 200,000 people were forced from their homes by the floods and landslides and although the floodwaters in most places are now subsiding, some parts of Gampaha and Colombo districts, remain submerged and landslide warnings remain in place in rural areas.
“This disaster hit families living in both rural and urban areas. Some lost everything and the priority is to meet their immediate needs with food, clean water, clothing and household items,” said Igor Dmitryuk, head of office with the IFRC in Sri Lanka. “There are also threats we need to tackle. There will be a lot of standing water as the floods recede which heightens the risk of disease, particularly in urban areas. We need to be vigilant to avert any public health crisis, particularly as further rains are forecast with the start of the monsoon”.
The IFRC appeal will enable the Sri Lanka Red Cross to reach 40,000 people with aid over the next 18 months. As well as receiving relief items, cash transfers will help households recover or diversify their livelihoods by establishing agriculture and livestock projects or small and medium-scale business ventures. Cash transfers coupled with guidance on safer shelter construction will also be channelled to families to make repairs to their homes.
The appeal will ensure that people staying in temporary camps have access to safe water and sanitation and one thousand community wells are to be de-contaminated. This will be complimented by health and hygiene awareness to prevent the spread of disease. The appeal will also channel funds to community resilience projects whereby cash grants will be allocated to rural committees and schools to set up small projects including repair of damaged irrigation canals and renovation of infrastructure. Ends.
For further information and interviews contact:
In Sri Lanka:
Mahieash Johnney, Senior Manager – Communications, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society
Mobile: +94 773 502 156 Email: mahieash.johnney@redcross.lk Twitter @mahieash @SLRedCross
In Kuala Lumpur:
Patrick Fuller, Communications Manager, Asia Pacific
Mobile: +60 122308451 Email: Patrick.fuller@ifrc.org twitter: pat_fuller
In Geneva:
Benoit Carpentier, IFRC team leader, public communications
Mobile: +41 79 213 2413 Email: benoit.carpentier@ifrc.org Twitter:@BenoistC
For updates on Twitter follow @IFRCAsia Pacific @SLRedCross
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 190 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit http://www.ifrc.org/asia-pacific