Islamic Relief forms response plan after flash flooding and landslides
Sri Lanka’s western and southern regions have been hit by the most severe torrential rains the country has seen since 2003, killing more than 200 people.
The downpours hit large parts of the country last week, with the areas of Kalutara, Ratnapura and Matara being most severely affected.
Mohamed Saeed, one of more than 2,000 people in Matara to receive an emergency food parcel from Islamic Relief, said: “This area often floods but this time it is severe.
“It took a couple of days for it to subside but when we came back down to our house we found all our clothes and belongings completely ruined. We have lost everything.”
According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, 96 people remain missing, with over 600,000 forced from their homes.
More than 1,500 homes have been destroyed and 16 hospitals evacuated since the flooding began.
Floods, reaching roof level, cut off access to many rural parts of the country but our team in Sri Lanka has already distributed dry food packs to 550 families.
Islamic Relief is part of a team of international humanitarian organisations who have conducted a joint assessment and are now developing and delivering a response plan.
There is a threat of waterborne diseases as stagnant flood waters can become breeding grounds for dengue-spreading mosquitos.
Sri Lanka’s National Disaster Relief Services Centre has requested water, non-food items and hygiene kits.
Find out more about our work in Sri Lanka here.