Sri Lanka: UN agencies gear up to help tens of thousands of flood victims

1 November 2006 – With an estimated 333,000 Sri Lankans affected by floods, landslides and displacement, United Nations agencies are gearing up to help the Government in its relief efforts.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stands ready to immediately provide 6,000 sets of kitchen utensils, 3,000 sleeping mats, 200 water tanks, 10,000 bed sheets, 10,000 towels and 10,000 bars of soap, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today.

If needed, UNICEF will procure septic tank cleaning equipment such as gully suckers and water pumps.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) can immediately provide 3,400 sets of kitchen utensils, 3,400 plastic mats, 3,400 bed sheets, 3,400 towels and 6,800 bars of soap, OCHA reported.

Together with the UN, the Government is organizing assessments for the next stage, which will concentrate on flood mitigation. Meanwhile, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to secure $100,000 for mitigation of floods.

UN agencies will be part of multi-sectoral teams that will be sent to the field next week.