More than 900,000 people have been affected as a result of continuous rains in the Eastern, Northern and Central provinces of Sri Lanka. As the scale of the flood increases, Oxfam is expanding its rapid response in Eastern Sri Lanka to help the thousands affected, providing hygiene kits, tarpaulins, cooked food and bottled water to approximately 17,000 people in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara districts.
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| Evacuating residents of the town of Santhively near Batticaloa used a ferry that was supplied by Oxfam in 2004. |
More than 900,000 people have been affected as a result of continuous rains in the Eastern, Northern and Central provinces of Sri Lanka. As the scale of the flood increases, Oxfam is expanding its rapid response in Eastern Sri Lanka to help the thousands affected.
The international agency is providing hygiene kits, tarpaulins, cooked food and bottled water to approximately 17,000 people in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara districts.
The rains have triggered landslides and floods, resulting in many displaced people taking shelter in welfare camps. Several irrigation tanks in the Eastern and Central Province have been destroyed and the flood waters have inundated 200,000 acres of rice fields.
S. Raguraamamurty, coordinator of Oxfam’s flood response in the East, said, “The situation here is quite terrible. The water levels are very high and in some parts of Batticaloa town we now have boats instead of buses. We are facing immense challenges. An immediate priority is getting food and drinking water to people.”
Water levels are continuing to rise and access to many areas is still limited. Rescue operations are ongoing with the help of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force.
Oxfam has been supporting projects and partners in Sri Lanka since 1968. The agency’s focus is on women’s economic and political leadership, livelihoods, economic development, and humanitarian assistance and protection.
