SITUATION OVERVIEW
• As of 3 June 2016, 288 307 people are affected by flooding and landslides across 9 districts, according to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre. 86 deaths have been confirmed. 10 774 people are displaced, staying in 137 safe locations.
• 103 people remain missing due to a landslide in Kegalle District.
• 666 houses have been completely destroyed. A further 4 861 houses have been partially damaged.
• Many people have returned safely to their homes. However, there are hundreds of people in the landslide affected area of Kegalle who are in need of permanent relocation because their homes were completely destroyed.
• The flood waters from the Kelani River have completely receded. Due to the advent of the south- western monsoon the risk of flooding remains.
• Landslide warnings remain in place in 5 districts – Kandy, Rathnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle and Kalutara.
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.
The number of cases of skin diseases and acute respiratory infections has drastically reduced due to the medical treatment received.
10 health institutions including 7 outreach clinics have been directly affected by the floods, all of which report damage to clinical equipment and records. Around 15 Public Health Midwife (PHM) areas have been directly affected. PHM Office registers and records have been destroyed and need to be replaced.
WHO RESPONSE
WHO is supporting the deployment of medical teams with essential supplies to the affected areas.
WHO is working closely with MoH to monitor health trends across the country and to identify gaps in healthcare services that WHO may be able to support.
WHO has secured emergency funds of US $ 100 000 from the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to support rapid response to the immediate health and financial needs of the country.
WHO has submitted a proposal to the UN CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund) to further assist life-saving medical relief and Sri Lanka’s response and early recovery to the disaster.