(December 23, 2011) The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has joined relief efforts to
provide aid for up to 38,000 people displaced by severe flooding that hit the north
of the country this week. More than 11,000 families have been affected in Northern
Province, according to the government-run Disaster Management Centre, which has set
up 41 welfare centers to help the victims. Caritas-Vanni and Don Bosco centres are
also providing aid to victims who fled their homes in Kilinochchi and Mullativu districts
after the downpours began on Monday. “Kilinochchi, Thiruwaiyaru, Wattakachchi, Kandarawalai
were the worst affected areas and are under water,” said Father Devadas Judedas, Parish
priest of St. Joseph Church in Kilinochchi. Flood victims are getting hot meals while
Caritas Vanni and other organizations have to decide on what other steps to take,
he said. Around 14,500 people were displaced in Kilinochchi alone, the Disaster Management
Center said. Many of the victims, still trying to recover from years of civil war,
said the floods have destroyed their lives yet again.