Water and sanitation projects by Red Cross for tsunami victims

A large scale Red Cross assisted programme on construction, rehabilitation and improvement of water supply and sanitation facilities in tsunami-affected areas will be launched shortly.

The project to be implemented in the districts of Hambantota, Galle, Matara, Ampara, and Jaffna will cost one hundred million US dollars. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government, The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) was signed at the Water Supply and Drainage Board on August 23 for projects already identified costing 30 million US Dollars.

The tsunami tidal waves not only devastated private and public properties, but also water and sanitation facilities. Under the agreement, specific water and sanitation projects will be allocated to the SLRCS for construction and rehabilitation.

The SLRCS, supported by the International Federation and sister Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will coordinate the implementation of these projects in cooperation with the Government. The SLRCS and the International Federation will commit US$ hundred million for these projects over the next seven years. The Government in consultation with the Ministry of Urban Development and Water Supply and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, will provide the requisite non-monetary assistance to ensure the smooth and speedy implementation of the project. The government has also agreed to make available land for the project.

The MoU, was signed by Chairman of National Water Supply and Drainage Board S.L. Seneviratne, President of SLRCS Jagath Abeysinghe and the Head of Operations, International Federation, Alfredo Panico.