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Relief packages for disaster victims increased

by Nadira Gunatilleke

The amount of relief packages granted for the victims of widespread and casual disasters have been increased by a new circular issued by the Department of Social Services, Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Mrs. Viji Jegarasasingam told the Daily News yesterday.

She said that under the new circular dry rations worth Rs.2000 will be provided for a family of five or more during one month. Earlier, dry rations worth Rs.1260 were provided for a family of five. Kitchen utensils worth Rs.1000 will also be provided and earlier only Rs. 500 was granted for this purpose.

A death donation of Rs.15,000 will be paid to the kin of the victim. Earlier only Rs.10,000 was paid as death donation. A maximum payment of Rs. 20,000 will be paid for the loss for a person whose small-scale self-employment enterprise is completely damaged as a result of a disaster.

A payment upto a maximum of Rs.10,000 may be paid for medical treatment for a person who has succumbed to injuries as a result of a disaster although medical treatment is obtained from a government hospital. Victims of wild elephant attacks can also obtain relief under this category. Housing relief has also been increased upto Rs. 20,000 while Rs. 20,000 will be paid for crop damages. Earlier only Rs. 10,000 was paid under each category.

The families of lost fishermen will be given dry rations for a period of three months. An extension of this period will be based on the reports received on their condition from the Divisional Secretary and the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources.

Hereafter, a special procedure will be followed when granting drought relief. Under this procedure, drought relief will be granted to persons who have a monthly income of less than Rs. 3,000 and in respect of short term crops the cultivation should have been damaged or it could not be carried out consecutively for two seasons, owing to drought situations. The non-availability of other sources of income and insurance coverage will also be considered when granting drought relief. 

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