Caritas joins in Sri Lanka’s flood relief efforts

(May 20, 2010) In Sri Lanka Caritas has joined with government and civil organizations in providing aid to victims of floods that have lashed the country since May 14. According to the government-run Disaster Management Centre, more than 450,000 have been displaced in 11 districts, 17 persons have died and three are missing. Many roads, including highways in Colombo, have been submerged resulting in traffic chaos. Caritas-Sethsarana, the social action arm of Colombo archdiocese, has distributed food to victims, as well as provided a lifeboat and medical service to them. “We are helping about 20,000 flood families in the Western Province at the moment,” said assistant director Father Lawrence Ramanayake. Their operation is conducted through the parish priests of the affected areas. They organize people to cook and distribute food to victims, Father Ramanayake said. Caritas-Sethsarana has allocated about 500,000 rupees for immediate relief aid and also “sent a doctor to help victims,” said the priest. The floods have also affected in Galle diocese in the southern part of the country, where 250 families are facing severe problems. The government has also allocated 8 million rupees for relief aid, and said it will give financial assistance to victims.