Rebuilding the lives of people affected by 2017 floods & landslides

26/09/2017 – Matara, Sri Lanka: The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society with the support from the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has begun the construction of houses for people affected by the landslide in Morawakkanda in Deniyaya, Matara.

On the 25th May 2017, the Morawakkanda mountain gave way owing to massive rains experienced before. This resulted in the mountain collapsing over the village below. Over 25 families were affected. The landslide killed 6 people, and 12 are still missing presumed to be dead.

Soon after the incident occurred the volunteers of Sri Lanka Red Cross Matara Branch reached the location along with the Military and Disaster Management officials and began providing first aid and other supported relief care.

When the emergency phase passed, Sri Lanka Red Cross decided to assist the affected families. By speaking with the affected community, it was evident that they needed a proper house to live and that they could not rebuild a house that would withstand future shocks of disasters.

Accordingly, the construction of 12 homes began on the 21st of September with the participation of the Minister of Law & Order and Southern Development Sagala Rathnayake, the President of Sri Lanka Red Cross Jagath Abeysinghe and the Deputy Director General of Sri Lanka Red Cross Sudath Madugalle, Assistant Government Agent Kotapola Ganesha Amarasinghe, Privat Secretary of the Minister Pushpika Samarakoon and the Additional Government Agent of Kotapola.

The houses will be constructed at the cost of 1.5 million rupees which will include two rooms, a kitchen, a living room and an attached bathroom.

Addressing the gathering Minister Rathnayake stressed on the need towards a better-coordinated disaster response effort that he said would be the cornerstone for saving lives in the future.

While commending the partnership between Sri Lanka Red Cross and the Government, the Minister said that this would help build a stronger relationship that would eventually help people affected by disasters.

We will keep you updated on the progress of this project as the funding for this has come directly from you the public.