Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives, Singapore, the overseas humanitarian arm of the church in Singapore, has pledged an initial S$20,000 (US$14,800) in grant aid to Caritas Sri Lanka in response to the recent flooding disaster.
The funds will be used to aid ground relief efforts — providing food, clean drinking water, hygiene kits and other necessary support for those affected.
Heavy monsoon rains have devastated several parts of Sri Lanka since May 16. The death toll from the floods and landslides has risen to more than 100 with many still missing. According to the government's initial assessments, at least 4,000 houses are reported to be damaged and more than 319,000 people have been displaced from their homes with immediate need for secure shelter, food and water.
Caritas Sri Lanka has launched an emergency appeal through Caritas' international network requesting resources to support its rapid response to serve affected areas in the dioceses of Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Kandy, Colombo, Chilaw, Anuradhapura and Jaffna. Caritas Sri Lanka together with the local churches in these dioceses aim to help at least 26,460 people.
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