Operation summary
A tropical depression in the Bay of Bengal brought heavy rains across the country, triggering floods and a series of landslides that affected thousands of lives and livelihoods, and caused widespread property damage. Initial reports indicated 22 out of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts were reported to be affected, among them Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Puttalam.and Ratnapura. More than 428,000 been affected, with more than 4,000 houses damaged and more than 600 totally destroyed. Thousands of people moved temporarily to camps to seek shelter. As of 25 June, 3,909 people are still displaced and staying in 55 safe locations allocated by the Government of Sri Lanka.
An Information Bulletin was issued and a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) Operation was launched on 21 May 2016. This DREF was used as a startup loan and an emergency appeal of CHF 3.6 million was launched on 24 May. An operations update was published on 10 June.
SLRCS teams have now completed the distribution of non-food relief items (NFRI). SLRCS also provided additional relief efforts such as food distribution and addition NFRI with bilateral support from ICRC, PNS and external partnerships outside the scope of this emergency appeal. Detailed assessment are being analyzed and activities continue at the camps where the floods-affected population remain. The Government has assigned 4 camps to SLRCS to manage in Kegalle – namely Pallepamunuwa and Narangammana in Aranayake DS divison and Thunbage and Kalupahanawatta in Bulathkohupitiya DS division. SLRCS is providing first aid at the camps through mobile clinics and Water and Sanitation support together with other partners. Two National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) members have been deployed to Kegalle to support Kegalle branch with its response. Well Cleaning Program, medical camps and the House Cleaning and Disinfection activities continue in all the affected districts. Currently, beneficiary selection criteria for livelihoods support is also being developed. SLRCS response operation is mainly covering three districts:
Colombo: urban response to the flood affected population (mostly people living in slums around Colombo, but also other areas such as Homagama and Kaduwela DS also affected)
Gampaha: semi-urban area. SLRCS is providing support to the flood affected population in two of the “Divisional Secretary’s Division”, in Biyagama and Dompe
Kegalle: rural area most affected by the landslides, with people displaced in temporary camps The relief operation moves into recovery phase in the coming months with a focus on livelihoods support. Changes within the evolving situation are being monitored, and a revision of the budget and plan may be considered.
In terms of human resourcing, the operational surge support from IFRC New Delhi Country Cluster Support Team and Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) were deployed to provide support to the team in Sri Lanka. A Regional Disaster Response Team (RDRT) member is also in country since 23 June.