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28 May 2003 by Ranjit J Perera in Hambantota Red Cross volunteers in Sri Lanka have exceeded targets by cleaning 335 contaminated wells in four days since beginning operations in the flood affected Hambantota District in southeast Sri Lanka. “An average of 50 wells per day could be cleaned,” said K.H. Premathilaka, secretary of the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRCS) branch in Hambantota. Heavy rains which lashed the districts of Ratnapura, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Hambantota on May 17 triggered floods and landslides leaving death and destruction in its wake. Several major rivers in the country including the Kalu Ganga, Gin Ganga, Walawe Ganga and Nilwala Ganga overflowed, inundating large areas of land including several villages. According to Government figures, 250 people have died and over 160,000 families have been affected in six districts. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, the International Federation and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have teamed up with the government and several NGOs in a massive relief effort to assist those affected. A Task Force that began operations on May 23 at SLRCS Headquarters in Colombo made an aerial survey of the flood affected districts of Hambantota and Matara to determine the extent of the disaster. The task force also verified the mechanisms in place for assessing needs so that relief to the affected population could be delivered speedily. “It appears there are adequate supplies of food but clothing and shelter seem to be priorities.” team leader Errki Banerjee said following the visit. In the Hambantota district alone 22 people have died and 1,829 families have been displaced. In the adjoining district of Matara, 74 people have died and more than 13,000 houses have been damaged. Although the floodwaters have been receding in several districts, parts of Matara district continued to be badly affected one week after the floods began. The aerial survey revealed many areas to be cut off, with roads impassable and small communities marooned. Electricity supplies have also been disrupted in many areas of the district. In one place a power station stood out like an island amidst the floodwaters. “The water was still there, it seemed to be stagnant,” Banerjee said. The government health system appears to be coping adequately with the health needs in the Matara district with all 40 health care institutions in the area functioning. However, officials reported an increase in eye and skin diseases. Dr Ekanayake, Director of the General Hospital in Matara – the district’s main government hospital – reported that the number of cases of diarrhoea being reported was increasing and could pose a major health problem in some areas of the district. Following the success in the Hambantota district, Government Minister Karu Jayasuriya has requested that the Red Cross send another team to Matara to help clean wells. The Red Cross has placed an order for the supply of 140,000 sachets of water purifier for distribution to affected families for cleaning water. The consignment is expected in Colombo this week. Related links: Sri Lanka floods and landslides: operations update News story: Floods expose Sri Lanka’s vulnerable to unknown hardships Make a donation |
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