(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – In a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ravi Karunanayake, High Commissioner of Canada to Sri Lanka, Shelley Whiting expressed condolences to the Government and people of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Government of Canada and announced a contribution of CAD 594,000 (Approximately Rs. 67.1 million) in support of the humanitarian relief efforts in response to the May 2017 natural disaster.
This funding will support those most affected by the flooding and landslides that have led to tragic loss of life, injuries, missing people, displaced people and physical damages.
“Canada and Canadians’ thoughts are with the people and the Government of Sri Lanka at this difficult time,” stated High Commissioner Whiting.
“Like Sri Lanka, Canada too has suffered from the impact of climate change with significant flooding in early May. In both countries, I have been impressed and humbled by the response of friends, neighbours, co-workers, community organisations and the various levels of Government and communities to provide needed relief, assistance and comfort. I hope that this support from Canada, a long-standing friend and partner of Sri Lanka, will assist Sri Lankans who were most affected and contribute to efforts underway to begin the recovery process.”
From the total allocation of CAD 594,000, CAD 309,000 (Approximately Rs.34.9 million) will come from the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund (CHAF) of Global Affairs Canada and will support Oxfam Canada’s humanitarian response in Sri Lanka.
The six-month project (June to December 2017) will provide water, sanitation and hygiene services and cash for work to up to 20,000 flood-affected people in Ratnapura and Matara Districts. Oxfam will directly implement the project along with its local partner LEADS (Lanka Evangelical Alliance Development Service).
Through the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund (EDAF) of Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Red Cross Society has allocated a CAD 85,000 contribution (Approximately 9.6 million LKR) to the relief operations.
The funds will support the work of the Sri Lanka Red Cross for the provision of essential emergency shelter assistance, livelihoods support, water and sanitation services, community-based health services, restoration of family links and disaster risk reduction training.
A further CAD 200,000 (Approximately Rs. 22.6 million) has been allocated to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide health and shelter assistance for a period of five months (June to October 2017).
This contribution will support activities such as the provision of life-saving medical services, including the deployment of medical teams and rehabilitation of damaged facilities; the strengthening of disease surveillance, vector control and health promotion activities in flood-affected areas; the distribution of shelter repair kits; and the provision of transitional shelter solutions for families whose homes were completely destroyed.