ECHO assists flood affected

The Economic Cooperation for Humanitarian Organisation (ECHO), has expressed its eagerness to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the recent floods in the Northern Province.

Jeroen Uytterschanut, Head of the Office of Sri Lanka and Maldives and Borja Miguelez, Technical Assistant of Economic Cooperation for Humanitarian Organization (ECHO) met Douglas Devananda, Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare and the Chairman of Special Task Committee, Northern Province, at his Ministerial Office recently.

Having received the report handed by the Minister concerning devastations caused to the properties and misery caused to the people by the recent cyclonic winds and floods, stated the willingness of their organisation to provide assistance to the ongoing relief work, re-construction and rehabilitation process.

The representatives also said their organisation is prepared to extend whatever assistance they could provide within their capacity to help out the affected and re-construct and rehabilitate the devastated areas with the help of other voluntary organisations in addition to their involvement in the de-mining programme in the North.

The Minister having thanked the representatives immensely for their willingness to help the ongoing re-habilitation programme in the North explained to them the activities of the Special Task Committee where he is Chairman.

He also said that the A-32 route will be re-opened in the near future as the security forces have now regained the control of Pooneryn, with this positive development, the people of Jaffna, especially the fisher and farmer communities will be greatly benefited.