Church joins flood relief work in Sri Lanka

(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.