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1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
Incessant monsoon heavy rains (as high as 553 mm) for the last days have caused floods and landslides in many parts of Sri Lanka (15 districts). As of 29th May 2017, 07.00 hrs (local time), 164 people were reported dead, 104 missing; and over 471,542 affected. The greatest number of damages to lives and property are reported to have ocurred in the Southern and Western parts of the country (Galle, Matara, Kalutara, Gampaha, Colombo and Ratnapura districts). Hill country areas are particularly affected by landslides.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
Even through the government of Sri Lanka has already responded to the situation in several areas, additional assistance from other sectors is required. Affected populations have insufficient food, shelter, clothing, sanitation materials, and kitchen utensils.
3. National and international response
The government of Sri Lanka, through its chain of government officials, the police, army and naval forces are working in the affected areas. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Disaster Management, has made an appeal to the UN, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and neighbouring countries to provide assistance to affected people. India has already started providing support to Sri Lanka.
4. ACT Alliance response
The disaster response ‘task force’ team set up by the churches of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) have been reacting to the onset of heavy rains, sending out alerts, gathering information, sharing resources for rescue operations, whilst also linking with government authorities, for further relief and recovery operations. The NCCSL through its local churches and inter-faith networks has already started providing cooked food to affected people in churches and other camps.
5. Planned activities
The ACT Sri Lanka Forum, via NCCSL, plans to respond to this emergency through the ACT Alliance Emergency Response Mechanism, by providing life-saving assistance in Galle, Matara, Kaluatara, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Colombo, and landslide affected hill country areas.
6. Constraints
The main constraint would be the lack of funding. Also, access to some affected areas is difficult.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to: the Head of Finance and Administration, Line Hempel (Line.Hempel@actalliance.org) and Senior Finance Officer, Lorenzo Correa (Lorenzo.Correa@actalliance.org).
For further information please contact:
ACT Sri Lanka Forum: Rev. W.P. Ebenezer Joseph (gs@nccsl.org) +94 11 2671723
ACT Regional Representative, Asia/Pacific: Anoop Sukumaran (ask@actalliance.org)
ACT Regional Program Officer, Asia/Pacific: Phichet Munpa (jmu@actalliance.org)
