A-PAD Sri Lanka Assistance to Drought Victims – September 2014

A-PAD Sri Lanka continued providing drought relief. Hambantota district platform in liaison

with the District/Divisional Secretariat, Disaster Management Coordinating Office and

Economic Development Office of Hambantota selected two villages severely affected by

drought. The villages of Dimuthugama and Mawsirigama of Elalla Grama Niladhari division

are yet to receive rain. Villagers are dependent on agriculture and the lack of water for

cultivation for the past many months have affected livelihood. Irrigation tanks and channels

are dry with no water for the past few months.

Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) representatives of A-PAD Sri Lanka met with

the Gramasevaka Niladhari (GN) of Elalla in organizing awareness and relief programme for

the 150 families affected by drought in the two villages. Programme included awareness on

water management, a shramadana (community voluntary service) in water management

and the distribution of relief packs.

Programme was conducted on 11 September 2014. In attendance were CHA representing

A-PAD Sri Lanka, Hambantota district network, representatives of district secretariat and

disaster management coordinating office of Hambantota, and the GN of Elalla. Villagers of

Dimuthugama and Mawsirigama attended the programme.

Water management awareness programme is an initiative CHA and Civic Force Japan in

collaboration with disaster management coordinating office of Hambantota in mitigating

effects of drought.

A-PAD Sri Lanka received relief funds from Rotary Clubs of Colombo Metropolitan, Colombo

West, Battaramulla and Rotract Club amounting to Rs 380,000.00 for this project.

Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan Rotary Club of Colombo West

Rotary Club of Battaramulla Rotaract Club of Colombo

A-PAD Sri Lanka member, Cargills Ceylon Limited – a super market chain delivered 150 relief

packs to district secretariat Hamabantota at a special agreed rate with transport and

delivery as their contribution to the effort. Relief pack consisted of the following items;

Item Qty /Kg

Red Dhal 1 Kg

White Sugar 2 Kg

Soya Meat - Regular 2 Pack

Salmon (Mackerel)Tin 3 Tin

Rice Nipuna Type 1 10 Kg

Rice Nipuna Type 2 5Kg

Tea Bag - Laojee 200g 2 Pack

Beneficiaries were most vulnerable families selected by the GN of Elalla, endorsed by the

divisional/district secretaries of Hambantota verified by CHA district officer in Hambantota

representing A-PAD Sri Lanka. Villagers and government officials expressed their immense

gratitude to all those who provided the much needed assistance.

Mr CA Suneth Lochana, Additional District Secretary, District Secretariat Hambantota

(Letter of acknowledgement dated 15th September 2014)

150 ration relief packs received by CHA was distributed among families severely affected

by drought in Elalla grama niladhari division, Sooriyawewa and Hambantota. The food

relief packs were handed over to families in the presence of the Gramasevaka Niladhari of

Elalla, Hambantota District Secretariat Officials and Disaster Management Coordinating

Officers on 11 September 2014.

We take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to the people of Japan, Asia Pacific

Alliance for Disaster Management, Rotary Clubs, Rotaract and CHA for the relief effort.

Village Headman (Elalla GN Division- Hambantota)

My name is Samaraweera. We are very grateful to CHA and the Disaster Management Coordinating office for providing us relief through Japanese Aid. At a time when we are going through a 6 month long drought without water, affecting our agricultural livelihood and inability to have sufficient food, these organizations provided timely aid to our village. We greatly appreciate the relief efforts provided by these agencies.

Mala Tennakoon, Elalla Wasama, Dimuthugama

We have been living in this village for the past 30 years and have not been faced a devastating drought of this magnitude. The last few months have affected our livelihoods severely. It was during these very difficult times A-PAD has come to our rescue which is of great strength to our families and village.

G. Vimalasiri, the President of Farmers Association

I am G. Vimalasiri, the President of Farmers Association in this village. Months of no rain had left the people with no water for cultivation, parched trees, dried crops and no drinking water. Villagers are going through a severe plight with no food and the food rations provided today will be of immense value even for a short period to us. On behalf of the villagers, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to CHA, Asia Pacific Alliance and the Rotary organizations that came together to provide the much needed humanitarian assistance.

15 September 2014