Coca-Cola partners with Red Cross for long term flood relief operations
View(s):Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Ltd recently joined hands with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society – Gampaha Branch, to carry out intensive emergency disaster relief and rehabilitation activities following the severe floods which occurred in May.
In a media release Coca-Cola said it focused on the immediate needs of distribution of safe, clean water and the provision of medical camps to those left vulnerable in the Biyagama and Dompe divisions.
The emergency relief operation was mainly carried out in the flood-affected areas of Yabaraluwa, Mabima, Bollegala, Thelwatta, Ambaraluwa in the Biyagama Division and Malwana, Kanukatiya, Pahala Mapitigama, Nikawela, Giridhara and Kapugoda in the Dompe Division.
Furthermore, in a step towards rehabilitation; facilitating the return to their daily lives, the company engaged in cleaning all contaminated wells of the Biyagama Division, totalling 600 wells.
The May disaster once again left Gampaha residents feeling vulnerable and isolated by the flood waters, while being exposed to health issues in its aftermath such as the risk of dengue and waterborne diseases. Flooding from the nearby Kelani River caused water levels to rise 5 ft in Biyagama and 3ft in Dompe (Gampaha district).
Volunteers of Biyagama and Dompe Red Cross executed the operation and technical support was provided by the relevant area Government officers, Grama Niladharis, Public Health Inspectors, Ministry of Health and Divisional Secretariats.
Volunteers from Coca-Cola were active in the medical camps and in delivering water to affected families and individuals, as additional operational support on the ground in the week after the floods were of great need.
The company distributed over 10,000 litres of water and this was executed through deliveries by foot, by trucks and by boat, to access areas isolated by the remaining flood waters.
Medical camps, Mobile camps and First Aid services were conducted through 16 service events providing access for essential healthcare to 2,129 affected individuals in the first week after the flooding began.
Medical Officer of Health, Biyagama, Ms. Kumari Wijesuriya said, “Many areas in Biyagama were particularly badly affected and residents here needed all the possible relief and rehabilitation assistance.
As a state body, we are offering every possible support to this community. However, Coca-Cola’s support at this crucial time has helped ease our stretched resources.
I am grateful for the company’s generous support in well-cleaning activities in Biyagama, which will go a long way in supplying clean drinking water to these communities as they slowly limp back to normalcy.”