Red Cross helps flood-hit

Hundreds of volunteers from the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) and its branches were actively engaged in providing humanitarian relief for thousands affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding.

These relief activities were focused especially around the Colombo district for the past few days. The Canadian Red Cross Society, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, and International Committee of the Red Cross extended financial support to the SLRCS to implement this program.

For several days and nights, cooked food, dry rations, potable water, and non-food relief items were distributed by SLRCS volunteers. Cooked food parcels were supplied to 1,800 persons in urban areas like Red Barna and 259 Garden by volunteers from the Colombo City branch.

For those affected in Kolonnawa, Maharagama, Kesbewa, Kotte and Kaduwela, 1,700 food parcels, 1,000 dry food parcels and drinking water bottles were distributed by the Colombo branch. Water pumps and chlorine have been supplied to the community for well-cleaning purposes.

Twenty one mobile toilets have been supplied by the Red Cross in response to a request by the National Disaster Management Centre.

"We also hope to conduct mobile clinics for 600 persons in the Kotte and Homagama areas", Branch Executive Officer of the Colombo branch Kumari Kotalawala said.

Red Cross volunteers are working in close cooperation with Government and NGO workers to implement the relief measures.