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Work for food programme!
Director of the Social Services Department, Yamuna Chithrangani says a total of 498,116 families in 14 districts have been affected by the drought.

Badulla, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Puttalam, Vavuniya, Kurunegala, Matale, Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Mannar, Killinochchi, Trincomalee and Ampara are the districts affected.

"The statistics we have received exclude Kilinochchi, Jaffna and Mannar. We still do not know how many are affected in these areas," Mrs. Chithrangani said. But in an interview with The Sunday Times the Social Services Director said dry rations would be issued to those affected, only after 14 days of work is completed. The Water Board has however agreed to provide water free of charge to the drought affected areas , she said.

Q. What kind of assistance is the government providing the affected people?
A. We hope to give them dry rations worth Rs. 1,460.

Q. Will the dry rations be the same as you have been giving so far?
A. Yes, it will be rice, dhal and sugar.

Q. When will these rations be distributed?
A. As soon as the District Secretariats prepare the work list.

Q. What does that mean ?
A. The people will be bonded to manual labour. They will be given this rations only if they work. The District Secretariats will have to give a list of work projects, such as construction of roadways.

Q. How many people in a family will have to work?
A. One person per family. They will have to work four hours a day for fourteen days.

Q. So you mean that all emergency aid given by the government to those farmers struck by the drought would be given only if they work as manual labourers ?
A. Yes.

Q. How will the distribution be done ?
A. Through the District Secretariats. They will give them the food stamp so they can buy the food from cooperatives.

Q. When will the food stamps be given?
A. When we get the money released from the Treasury. Then the District Secretariats will have to work out a plan of the sites the people will have to work on. And then the people will have to complete their fourteen days of labour.

Q. Is it after all this takes place that the emergency aid will be given ?
A. Yes.

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