ChildFund responds to monsoon floods in Sri Lanka

Flickr image by Oxfam International

More than 360,000 evacuated from their homes.

Richmond, Va. – Jan. 20, 2011 – ChildFund is assisting children and families in Sri Lanka following flash floods resulting from ongoing heavy rains. More than 1 million people have been affected with, at the peak of the floods and more than 360,000 evacuated from their homes. ChildFund, one of the largest child development organizations in the world, is providing emergency relief to children and families in the districts of Batticaloa and Trincomalee. Families are receiving dry rations, milk packets and bedding. “Children are among the most vulnerable in disaster situations. The disruption to normal life poses challenges to families to care for their children” says Guru Naik, ChildFund’s country director in Sri Lanka. “ChildFund has worked in Sri Lanka for over 25 years so we are able to provide immediate assistance. Our first priority is making sure families are safe. Then we want to get them back on the path to success.” As the rains subside and the floods recede, people are returning to their homes. ChildFund is shifting its focus on the rehabilitation of affected communities. ChildFund is raising funds for children to have access to improved education facilities, as well as water and sanitation facilities, and for their families to protect themselves against threats to public health and food insecurity. ChildFund also responded in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts. ”In the midst of a disaster, ChildFund is there as part of the relief effort,” Nai says. “ChildFund also works with communities on risk mitigation and response plans to educe their vulnerability to hazards and to strengthen their capacity to cope.”

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