Update on the Post Disaster Situation

UPDATE  ON THE POST DISASTER SITUATION  IN  SRI LANKA  AND  DIOCESE OF COLOMBO’S  DISASTER RESPONSE OPERATION

(8^TH JUNE 2016)

The situation in most affected areas  has gradually returned to near normalcy with most people returning to their homes. The Disaster Management Centre reports  that about 5700 still remain in camps, almost 90% of them in the Kegalla District where the two major earth slips took place. Search and Rescue operations have now been halted, which means that the final death toll will now be fixed at 150 persons. While monsoonal rains are continuing in the South West and Central parts of the country, no new major incidents of flooding or earth slips have been reported.

The BSR has of now prepared and delivered 500 food packs directly to identified victim families in villages around Wattala, Malwana, Dandugama, Medagama (Gampaha district), Orugodawattha, Wellampitiya, Kambikottuwa (Colombo District) and Urubokke (Galle District) .  Water purification tablets were also part of these packs. The relief phase of the BSR’s operation will come to an end today, Wednesday the 8^th.

The Recovery phase will get off ground on Friday 10^th.  In preparation for this, assessment reports prepared  by our ground teams, led by DRR trained volunteers were received and processed at the Colombo Operations Centre.

Based on the reports and our capacities,  the BSR will initially provide, bedding items, kitchen utensils and books and stationary for school children in 4 villages in the districts of  Puttalam, Gampaha and Galle

The BSR expresses its grateful thanks to all those who sent message of solidarity, offered their prayers and made generous donations, to donor institutions, individuals and  parishes for their support and assistance. Special thanks are also due to the many whovolunteered and worked tirelessly at the ground level, who carried out assessments in difficult conditions and were involved in the distribution of relief packs. Thank you also to all those who worked and continue to help  at the Operations Centre at the Diocese, including the students of St. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Bishop's College, Ladies College and the Mothers’Union as well youth from St. Stephen’s Negombo and St. Peter’s, Pamankada.

From overseas, the concern, immediate response and  visit of “ACROSS” of the Anglican Church of Singapore, that of United Service – US and  Anglican Overseas Aid - AVA  are also deeply valued and appreciated.

Truly, this was the world wide Church in action, demonstrating the love of  God in Christ Jesus to their homeless and suffering sisters and brothers !