Providing first aid to people affected in Meethotamulla

16/04/2017 – Colombo, Sri Lanka:  The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society’s Colombo Branch has been providing first and and psychosocial support to the survivors of the Meethotamulla garbage dump collapse which has killed over 16 people and scores injured. The incident occured in the late afternoon of 14th of April 2017, on New Year’s Day.

Five children are among the deceased while the number of females among the victims has now increased to seven. Twelve persons are still receiving treatment at the Colombo National hospital, according to police.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Colombo Branch volunteers and their first aid teams were at the site from the time of the incident and has been providing first aid to the survivors who are housed at the Rahula Vidyalaya, a near by school.

Sri Lanka Police confirmed that so far around 145 houses had sustained damages while a total of 625 persons belonging to 180 families have been displaced by the disaster. Assessments are currently conducted by the Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRT) of SLRCS and will provide the necessary support and relief in the days to come.

Red Cross has been closely coordinating efforts with Government authorities and are conducting an assesment need in order to determine the next course of action.