US offers immediate assistance for disaster relief

To meet the urgent needs of victims of the ongoing landslides and flooding in various parts of Sri Lanka, the United States (US) Government has provided 7.2 million Sri Lankan Rupees (50,000 U.S. dollars) for emergency humanitarian assistance, a statement from the US embassy in Colombo said.  

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working closely with Sri Lanka’s National Disaster Relief Services Center, the Sri Lankan military and international aid partners to coordinate the donation of most urgently-needed items.  

The U.S. assistance will supply emergency non-food items such as blankets, mattresses, clothing, and hygiene kits.  The U.S. Embassy will continue coordinating with Sri Lankan authorities to decide how best to complement their extensive efforts. 

“We know that the families and communities in worst affected areas require immediate and long-term assistance to recover from the devastation caused by the landslide and flooding,” said Ambassador Atul Keshap  “The U.S. assistance announced today provides the most urgently required items on the ground.  These donations will help many children, women and families affected, and we continue to offer our full support.”