Thank you for a job well done !!

31/01/2012 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Lessons Learnt and Appreciation Ceremony for the Red Cross Post Flood Recovery Assistance Programme was held today to honor and thank the staff, volunteers and the beneficiaries of the programme.

The event took place in Colombo with the participation of the President of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) Jagath Abeysinghe, Director General of SLRCS Tissa Abeywickrama, Head of IFRC Sri Lanka Bob McKerrow, Deputy Head of Delegation of ICRC Finn Ruda and the Head of Operations & Services Col. Sudath Madugalla.

Addressing the gathering the President of SLRCS Jagath Abeysinghe commended the successful completion of the project. “This would have not been a success if it wasn’t for our hardworking staff and volunteers. With this we were able to reach thousands of lives, a deed that will certainly bless us in this lifetime”

Also addressing the gathering Director General of SLRCS Tissa Abeywickrama continued to assure the assistance from the society to the most vulnerable during their times of disasters. “This is a yet a good example of our uninterrupted service to the public. We will continue to help the most vulnerable in their hour of need and that’s a promise the SLRCS will deliver”

The adverse weather affected many districts in Sri Lanka from November 2010 to February 2011 resulting in mega scale catastrophe. In response to this disaster, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society supported over 60, 000 people with following assistance mainly in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Matale, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Kegalle districts.

Distribution of 164 two-wheeled tractors (Sifang GN 12) and 1370 tool kits, as a livelihood support assisting 8200 families, through farmer organizations. Valued at LKR 60 million.

92 tractors have already been distributed. Arrangements to distribute another 72 tractors are in process.

Shelter grant to 1285 families (Rs.50, 000/=per family) to repair/rebuild houses. Valued at LKR 70 million 1285 families in all eight districts have received their shelter grants.

Livelihood grant (Rs.30, 000/= per family) to 2800 families. In view of uplifting their living conditions, training in tools, equipment and services. Valued at LKR 84 million.

Livelihood grants were disbursed among 2799 families.

Appreciation certificates were also distributed to the staff and volunteers of the programme at the event.