Red Cross spends millions for IDPs

The Red Cross Movement has spent Rs. 700 million from January in responding to the humanitarian needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Vavuniya, Mannar, Jaffna and Trincomalee districts.

SLRCS volunteers have been working on 24 hour basis in several hospitals in Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee and Jaffna to assist the health staff in attending medical needs of IDPs.

Over 10,000 hospital packs containing items essential to a patient, and maternity packs required by pregnant women have been distributed to patients by Red Cross on admission," said ICRC Coordinator Hachim Badji. SLRCS Deputy Director General Suren Peiris said in the health sector the Cheddikulam hospital upgrading program is in progress at a cost of Rs. 102 million.

The Red Cross also supported for the Mannar hospital ward expansion at a cost of Rs. 17 million.