Habitat to help flood-affected families in Sri Lanka

Water, sanitation and hygiene kits will be distributed to families hit by the worst flood since 2003

COLOMBO (June 23, 2017) – Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka will assist families affected by what is reportedly the worst flood in over a decade through shelter and sanitation solutions. Water, sanitation and hygiene kits will be distributed to families in badly hit Kalutara district in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, during the initial phase of the response. Habitat will also work with displaced families to construct permanent houses during the recovery phase.

In late May, flooding and landslides brought on by Cyclone Mora affected more than 630,000 people. Over 210 people died and more than 18,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sri Lanka.  As flood waters subsided, there is an urgent need for emergency shelter and sanitation and hygiene services as more displaced people start to return home.

“Along with clean water and safe sanitation, shelter is an immediate priority for vulnerable families in the aftermath of the flooding. Our approach is to help affected families find lasting solutions to their shelter needs. Donations are crucial to help families rebuild after the disaster,” said Dinesh Kanagaratnam, National Director, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka.

Donations can be made online at habitatsrilanka.org/donate.

Habitat for Humanity has operated in Sri Lanka since 1995, supporting families affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami and internally displaced people to secure decent shelter. Habitat has worldwide experience in responding to disasters such as Cyclone Winston in Fiji last year, the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013.