A massive Emergency Response Project was launched by HelpAge Sri Lanka for the benefit of over 2,400 flood and landslide affected families in Ratnapura, Kalutara, Matara and Galle Districts.
Accordingly, HelpAge distributed a stock of food and non food items worth over Rs. four million to nearly 10,000 floods and landslides victims at Kapugampitiya in Ratnapura, Ihala Naragala, Pahala Naragala , Vilapahala, Kirimatiwalakada, Bulathinhala, Ratiyala and a temporary camp, located at Koboke Tamil School in Bulathsinhala in the Kaluthara District.
Flood and landslides victims in Aluththanayangoda Ihala , Mapalagama in Galle and Akuressa Maramba, Athuraliya and Malimbada in the Matara District also received essential items.
The project was funded by HelpAge Sri Lanka and HelpAge International, United Kingdom.
The items distributed were rice, dhal, sugar, milk powder, tea leaves, canned fish, water bottles, sarongs, clothes, T-shirts, bed sheets, mats, towels, sanitary towels, candles, tooth paste, soap etc. The program was conducted under the guidance of HelpAge Sri Lanka Chairman, Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa.
HelpAge Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge highlighted the importance of helping flood victims at this crucial juncture and said HelpAge estimates that nearly 100,000 older people have been affected due to this sudden disaster.
Quoting Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Liyanawaduge said over 700,000 people including a large number of elders were rendered homeless due to the floods and landslides and nearly 360 safe locations set up for the displaced.
He said the distribution was carried out for three days with the assistance of HelpAge staff and members of Senior Citizens Committees in the above areas.
HelpAge Sri Lanka , Program Manager Chaminda de Silva said HelpAge has also planned to implement a program to provide household and hardware items to the families of elders with financial assistance expected from HelpAge International UK.