Flood relief

2 June 2008

Heavy rains during the latter half of May & early June caused floods and landslides and much destruction in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, and Ratnapura districts leaving at least 16 persons dead and over 250,000 people displaced. The landslides destroyed 350 houses and caused much damage to 1266 houses in these same districts. Transportation was hindered along several routes as main roads were submerged due to the overflowing of the rivers and bus operations had to be suspended in most of the flooded areas bringing all modes of transportation to a halt.

Since essential dry food rations were a major concern ADT distributed packs of dry rations between June 2nd – 9th 2008, amongst displaced persons in the areas of Ratnapura, Ingiriya, Baduraliya, Galle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, Kandana and Wattala. 900 families who were in extreme need and who were not in a position to provide for them selves were selected.

ADT prepared packs which contained rice, sugar, flour, tea, dhal, soap, Samaposha (nutrition supplement), condiments, salt, biscuits, milk powder, soya meat, Panadol, Sidhalepa, potatoes, onions and boxes of matches. We thank the District Secretaries, Grama Sevakas, local Churches and CBO’s who assisted ADT in the distribution of food packs to the needy.

The visits made a great impact on the ADT staff, and opened up new opportunities to build good relationships with the community as well as to conduct disaster preparedness and awareness programs to prepare them from future disasters. It was also noted that the children of this community could be apart of the Change Maker’s initiative conducted by the Children’s Sector of ADT.

All the families who received help were grateful and thanked ADT and all others involved for providing them with food packs during the time of their difficulty.

Contents of the packs which were distributed in some regions are as follows: