Red Cross spends Rs 20 m for drought - hit

Priyanka Kurugala

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society spent Rs 20 million to provide relief to drought affected in seven districts during the last three months, Deputy Director General Sudath Madugalle said.

Under this programme 5,000 families were provided safe drinking water through improved water storage through water tanks and containers, he said.

Around 100,000 children in 250 schools were provided safe drinking water, Madugalle said.

Meanwhile, 1,400 families received Rs 10 million for livelihood support, he said.

The Deputy Director General said this programme was launched covering seven districts including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Monaragala and Mannar.

Around 16 Divisional Secretariat Divisions, 37 Grama Niladhari Divisions and 280 schools were included in this list, he said.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society sent 70 trained volunteers to affected districts to conduct assessments, identify and select beneficiaries, he said.

The Red Cross with the support of local government institutions and targeted communities, reached affected geographical locations, he said.