Red Cross to the assistance

Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) is providing assistance to people of 15 districts affected by floods and landslides including Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee which are the areas most affected by the disaster.

Special attention is also being paid to residents in Eravur, Manmunei, Vavunativu, Wellavali and Vakarei DS divisions in the East, SLRCS Chairman Jagath Abeysinghe said that it will continue assisting those affected.

Flood relief teams of the SLRCS have also been deployed in some areas and have begun rescue operations. Already they have transported many in need to safe locations.

"We are trying to rescue those who are stranded in the Batticaloa district. Those who are marooned in isolated locations are being evacuated to safe locations," said Head of Operations of SLRCS, Suren Peiris.

Meanwhile, medical teams of the SLRCS have been attached to the relief camps established by Government agencies. Essential items including cooked food, dry rations, clean drinking water, mats, blankets, clothes and mosquito nets are being provided to those residing in camps.

Director General of SLRCS Tissa Abeywickrama added that it will continue providing assistance to those affected by the floods and their efforts are fully supported by the International Federation of the Red Cross.

Disaster Management Centre (DMC) claimed on (January 14, 2011) that 27 people have died due to flooding and mudslides while more than a million people are affected by the disaster. 367,000 people were being directly cared for by State agencies at 633 relief camps.