Why?
This Emergency Appeal seeks 2,060,682 Swiss francs to enable the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in delivering assistance and support to 40,000 people affected by floods and landslides over nine months. The operation focuses on the following sectors: shelter (including non-food items); livelihoods; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); health; restoring family links (RFL), disaster risk reduction(DRR) and National Society capacity building. The Appeal also reflects the allocation of 158,046 Swiss francs to support the IFRC’s role as convenor of the IASC Shelter Cluster. The planned response reflects the current situation and information available at this time. It is likely to be adjusted based on further developments and detailed assessments 25-29 May 2017: Heavy rains trigger floods and landslides affecting more than half a million people, killing 180 persons and causing widespread property damages. 15 districts are reported to be affected with Matara, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Colombo being the worst affected.
25-30 May: The SLRCS mobilizes volunteers to provide immediate assistance, including evacuation services by ferry and relief distributions.
27 May: The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) made a request for international assistance and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) convenes a meeting to initiate the international coordination mechanism.
30 May: 228,000 Swiss francs allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund (DREF) to support the SLRCS in addressing the immediate needs of the people. 01 June: The IFRC issues an Emergency Appeal for 2,060,682 Swiss francs to support SLRCS to scale-up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 40,000 people.
Matara, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Colombo
What?
Shelter (including non-food items); livelihoods; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); health; restoring family links (RFL), disaster risk reduction(DRR)
Who?
40,000 people (8000 households)