MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will provide $100,000 in emergency relief to Sri Lanka following
the country's worst flooding in nearly sixty years.
'The funding will go to the Sri Lankan Red Cross for food, medical supplies,
clean drinking water and tents. Distribution of these items will be overseen by
Red Cross disaster management officers who are already in place in flood
affected districts,' the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chris
Gallus said.
The floods and landslides of south and central Sri Lanka are believed to have
left at least 200 people dead and more than 700 people missing. Aerial searches
are continuing for survivors. Up to 130,000 families have been displaced with
many being relocated to schools and temples.
It is estimated that about 500,000 people are affected by the flooding which
has destroyed homes and buildings and cut communications and transport links in
the districts of Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Hambantota. More rain is
predicted to fall in coming weeks.
'Aid agencies have already begun distributing food and clean water supplies
to flood victims. Helicopter drops of food parcels have been made to people cut
off by landslides or floodwaters.
'Australia has a well established aid program with Sri Lanka which provides
assistance in the areas of post-conflict recovery, landmine awareness, natural
resource management, education and maternal and child health,' Mrs Gallus
said.
Further assistance from the Government will be considered when the full
extent of the damage becomes clear.
Contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02 6277 4840 or 0408 680
442
Dominic Morice (AusAID) 02 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126