CCC steps in to help drought-stricken areas
View(s):The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) said on Thursday it was taking steps to muster the support of the local business community to help over a million people affected by severe drought conditions that has hit the regions of North-Western, North-Central,North, Eastern, Southern and Uva provinces.
The CCC said it has made a request to its over 3,500 direct and indirect members, affiliates and associations to donate food, water and other essential items to help the trouble hit people in the above mentioned regions.
Dire needs on the ground are water storage tanks, household water containers and bowsers to distribute water to those affected, government officials said.
The chamber said the drought in nine districts have destroyed the farmer crops while necessitating an urgent need to supply affected people with essential food items.
“Essential food items can be supplied in the form of dry ration packs consisting of items such as dhal, sugar, soya meat, salmon, rice, tea bags, etc,” the chamber added.
It said the relevant government agencies and or NGOs will take the responsibility of delivering goods to the needy families in the Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura district, two of the heavily affected areas from the ongoing drought.
“Any party/firm or individuals interested in donating relief items to this humanitarian operation of the chamber, please get in touch with Suresh Pathirana of the Chamber via 5588807,” the chamber stated adding that it was organising a meeting on Monday, August 18 with its members and the staff to discuss relief measures.