SITUATION OVERVIEW
• As of 23 May 2016, 288 768 people are affected by flooding and landslides across 22 districts according to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre (DMC). 92 deaths have been confirmed, with 185 933 people displaced and staying in 295 safe locations.
• 109 people remain missing due to a landslide in Aranayake, Kegalle District, which devastated 3 villages.
• 506 houses have been completely destroyed. A further 3 995 houses have been partially damaged with numbers expected to increase.
• Colombo and Gampaha remain the worst affected districts.
• The weather is improving and water levels are falling. The main roads along the Kelani River remain under water but the water level has been decreasing daily. The water level has reduced to 4.1 feet, which is allowing some people to return to their homes.
• Removal of debris and the clean-up operation is underway with the tri-forces (army, navy, airforce) and civil security department leading this activity.
• The Department of Meteorology has forecast scattered rain in southwestern parts of the country, but heavy rainfall is not expected.
• A landslide warning from the Ministry of Disaster Management (MoDM) remains in place for the next 24 hours.
EFFECTS ON HEALTH
The epidemiological situation remains stable, with no outbreaks of infectious diseases reported from the affected areas. The health authorities continue enhanced epidemiological surveillance. There are no reports of structural damage to health facilities throughout the country.
Medical camps have been established by the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine (MoH) and the Ministry of Defense. 1 500 health workers have been deployed and essential medicines have been distributed to affected areas.
WHO RESPONSE
WHO is working closely with the Sri Lankan Government, UN agencies and other partners to provide relief to the affected communities.
WHO is working with the Emergency Opera ons Centre (EOC) at MoH to discuss eld responses and identify health gaps that WHO may be able to support.
WHO is providing technical and operational support to MoH. WHO emergency experts are working closely with the health authorities to address the countries’ medium-and longer-term health needs in the aftermath of the disaster.
WHO is actively engaged in the multisectoral coordination meetings chaired by the United Nations Resident Coordinator. OCHA has deployed a team of experts from their regional o ce to support mapping, informa on management and the application for the UN CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund).