A-PAD Sri Lanka responding on behalf of landslide survivors

2014.11.28

Following the initial handover of essential search and rescue items, A-PAD Sri Lanka communicated with the government authorities and other humanitarian organizations to assess needs among the affected families of the landslide in Central Sri Lanka which occurred last October. Since the island wide response was overwhelming, an excess of relief items was reported and A-PAD SL carried out a field visit on 2nd Nov 2014 to the landslide site and visited welfare centers providing shelter to the displaced families. As a result of the meetings held with the agencies in charge of the relief operations and the resulting needs assessment, A-PAD SL decided to retain relief items until the directly affected families were transferred to a transitional location.

A-PAD Sri Lanka continued to utilize its network and relief contributions by members of the private sector, NGO sector and private individuals poured into the office of the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) in Colombo. More than 20 companies have contributed to their appeal. Relief items were put-together as family packs at the CHA office. Chairs and school bags with books and stationery were identified as transitional shelter needs. In addition, 375 chairs and 89 school bags with stationery and books were purchased through A-PAD SL member corporates Phoenix Industries and Richard Pieris & Company at discounted rates and with free delivery to CHA office.

On 20th November 2014, 75 directly affected families who lost their homes and all possessions moved into a transitional shelter following renovation of the dilapidated Mahakanda Tea Factory in Poonagala. Each family has been allotted secure lockable rooms, with common living, dining and recreational areas as well as a playground and nursery for children.

A-PAD SL in liaison with Security Force Headquarters ? Central, arranged the delivery and distribution of relief items on 22nd of November 2014. A-PAD SL member, Expo Freight (EFL), a premier provider of freight forwarding and supply chain management solutions, generously agreed to provide trucks to deliver relief items from Colombo to Poonagala (Badulla District) free of charge. Security Force HQ ? Central Command troops unloaded and directed distribution of relief items methodically among beneficiaries. CHA representatives were on site and all items were personally handed over to the 75 beneficiary families.

Each family was provided with the following items;

– 2 family packs (Blanket, bed sheets, towels,milk powder, cup and plate, toiletries, sanitary pack and relief medicines).
– 4 chairs per family
– One study chair for all children below 11 years
– School bag with exercise books, lunch box, water bottle, pencil case, scissors, glue stick eraser, sharpener, colour pencil, pens and crayons.
– Foldable mattress with pillow
– Torch with batteries

The beneficiaries interviewed appreciated the personalized packages and distribution which catered to every individual. They valued the chairs received which will help them furnish their new homes after use in the transitional shelter. Children’s chairs and the school bags with stationeries were appreciated by the elders.

Relief assistance was planned to link with the resettlement process, where families will be able to acquire items for their new homes. A-PAD SL will continue to conduct needs assessment with regards to an additional 250 families indirectly affected but are living in four welfare centers under trying conditions.

This relief effort was made possible through the contributions of the following entities: