(Update : 09th June, 2017 04.30PM )
As the Flood Waters subside
If you want to donate please click on the following link for details of what we need right now and our account details
http://www.dioceseofcolombo.lk/78-site/325-floods-again
With the water levels receding the numbers reflected under the ‘displaced column’ of our table is decreasing. Over 700,000 people were displaced but today’s figures are down to 603,724 and we believe the worst in terms of ‘Rescue and Relief’ are behind us now. People are trying to return home. Facing a mudslide or a flood which takes your home and in some cases the very lives of your loved ones away is clearly a trauma from which people will take a long time to recover.
The Disaster Management Centre information as of 9th June records the following statistics.
Districts affected |
12 |
Families displaced |
155,659 |
People displaced |
603,724 |
Deaths |
212 |
Injured |
152 |
Missing |
78 |
Homes fully damaged |
3,039 |
Homes partially damaged |
19,924 |
A detailed CURRENT report can be found on https://www.dropbox.com/s/nl3e4gcsofvm9pt/Current-Situation.pdf?dl=0
Our churches are spread all over the island in all districts and our clergy and laity are themselves victims and survivors and were working around the clock to rescue people trapped in their homes, to take food to those who have chosen to stay on the roof rather than leave and also those who have been marooned. Groups of volunteers have worked hard to bring in those whose homes have been reduced to shambles in landslides or submerged in mud and water into safe spaces – and feed, clothe and look after them. No church buildings have been affected and therefore it is possible to use them to house displaced people or as collection and distribution centers. In many places clergy have joined with other religious leaders in the affected areas to minister to the people together.
Our Central Team
The Board of Social Responsibility of the Diocese began their work as soon as the news of flooding came in. Our training and experience on Disaster Management was very clear in the organized manner in which the operation center is now set up, information gathered, rescue boats contacted, tasks delegated and dormant WhatsApp threads activated!
A hired container has now been parked in our premises to store the relief items until dispatch. Teams were sent to the affected areas as soon as it was possible - initially for distribution and later for cleaning homes. Fr. Perry our Archdeacon and Binnu our BSR Coordinator have been successful in inspiring many people with varied skills to rally round and get the wheels turning to achieve this task.
So far we have distributed 1,145 packs of dry rations, 500 packs of cooking utensils and 365 packs of Non-Food-Relief-Items like bed linen and clothes. The relief phase is just concluding and rehabilitation is now our focus. We have cleaned 100 contaminated wells and also helped clean some homes for people to return to. We have also conducted Medical camps in several areas with the help of a team of Chinese doctors. Pictures of our work can be found on our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofcolombo.bsr/
Our Work in affected areas
SABARAGAMUWA REGION
Ratnapura
Provided Dry Rations to St. Luke’s Church and Cash advance for emergency purpose
Nivitigala
- Assisted 45 families providing dry rations packs
- Provided 100 Kerosene lanterns with the support of Amity foundation
- Provided sanitary assistance to a camp in Pebatuwa Tamil Vidalaya
- Provided infant milk foods
- Provided 400 undergarments for women
Elapatha
Cleaned 21 wells to provide safe drinking water
SOUTHERN REGION
Molkawa
- Provided 125dry ration packs
- Provided dry ration through Derana TV
- Provided drinking water
Baddegama
- Provided cooked meals for 1400 persons during emergency period
- Provided dry rations to 75 families Baddegama
- Provided dry rations to 30 families Niyagama
- Volunteers sent to Baddegama for cleaning houses
- Medical camp carried out by the support of Amity foundation doctors and medical officers.
Urubokke
- Provided cooked meals for 176 families during emergency period
- Provided 140 dry rations packs to Urubokke
- Medical camp to be carried out on 14th June, 2017 by the support of AMITY foundation
Matara
- Provided cooked meals for 4,035 persons during emergency period
- Distributed 200 dry ration packs for 3 villages in Matara
- Provided drinking water for the affected people
- Provided chemicals for cleaning houses.
Beverly
Provided cooked meals for people affected by Land slide
Everyday Heros
We are thankful and give God praise for every single individual who has been working tirelessly in the affected areas, at the center packing and organizing, overseas being in solidarity with the affected and arranging whatever they can to assist. The victims themselves have shown a resilience that is amazing.
There are - as always - unscrupulous people who try to steal even in the midst of a crisis – but the challenge is to retain our faith in humanity and to keep moving forward in vigilance and commitment.
“You are greater than anything that can happen to you. In a big and terrifying crisis, people find within themselves a power and strength and also a wisdom they had no idea they possessed”
Norman Vincent Peale
DONATIONS AND DONORS
Donations have been coming in from our Churches around Colombo, and partners in the world church. We are very grateful for their generosity.
National
- Anglican Churches
- Individual donations
- St. Anthony’s Group
- Rupavahini Corperation
- Derana TV
International
- Amity Foundation, China
- USPG, UK
We are also aware that churches and most of our parishioners are helping each other independently and praise God for the beautiful relationships that have been nurtured over time which facilitate such support in a time of crisis.