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SL receives foreign assistance consequent to urgent Govt. appeals
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International aid arrives. Pic by Indika Handuwala
International assistance for victims of floods and landslides started to arrive in the country on Saturday, following an urgent Government appeal for foreign aid. India, Australia, Japan the United States and Nepal were among the first to answer the call for foreign assistance.
Two Indian naval vessels, INS Sutlej and INS Sunanyna arrived yesterday carrying inflatable boats, outboard motors, tarpaulins, milk powder, safety matches, candles and medical supplies.
An Indian Air Force C-117 aircraft carrying medical supplies, tarpaulins, tents, emergency lights consumable stores and mobile toilets also landed yesterday. In addition to the relief materials onboard, the aircraft was also carrying officials from India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who will aid rescue efforts in the country, India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held onboard INS Sunanya at the Colombo Port yesterday, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha revealed the two vessels were carrying 25 tonnes of relief material, while the C-117 aircraft that landed at Katunayake was also ferrying 15 tonnes of supplies.
Mr. Sinha expressed India’s deepest sympathies and solidarity to the Government and people of Sri Lanka “in this hour of tragedy.”
Two aircraft ferrying emergency relief goods worth Rs 32 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) warehouse in Singapore, also arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport last morning. The items handed over included blankets, sleeping pads, mobile water purifiers, water tanks, mobile generator units and water purification tablets. The ceremonial handover took place in the presence of Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Suganuma, and Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadharshana Yapa.
Japan will also send two JICA experts on disaster management, who were due to arrive in the country last night. They will hold discussions with the emergency team of the Ministry of Disaster Management on how to expedite the rescue efforts and to reduce further landslide risks, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is also contributing $500,000 to UNICEF for humanitarian assistance to the victims. This includes the provision of clean water and sanitation for children in shelters, the Australian government stated.
The Australian government also commended Sri Lankan authorities for their effective response to this natural disaster under difficult circumstances.
The US government provided Rs 7.2 million (US$ 50,000) for immediate disaster assistance for non-food items such as blankets, mattresses, clothing and hygiene kits.
“In addition, the United States Embassy in Colombo, in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, is expediting plans to support a new, three-year programme totaling approximately LKR 144 million (US$ 1 million) to provide safe, disaster-resilient, drinking water to populations who are highly vulnerable to flooding and droughts. This new programme would build additional resiliencies and help address the need for reliable access to potable water during natural disasters,” the US Embassy in Colombo said in a statement.
Expressing its deep sorrow on the loss of human lives and property in Sri Lanka, the government of Nepal has extended assistance of US$ 100,000 for relief operations in the country.
The Red Cross Society of China, through the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, donated US$ 50,000 to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) supporting Sri Lanka’s relief and rebuilding efforts on the present disaster of flooding and landslides islandwide.
The aid came consequent to a briefing of Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations based in Colombo, on the flood and landslide situation in the country, by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Ministers Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne .