Commercial Bank launches needs-responsive disaster relief program

A comprehensive multi-level assistance program to help families affected by floods has been launched by Commercial Bank of Ceylon.

A disaster relief team appointed by the bank accompanied by staff of Neluwa and Morawaka branches and Grama Seva and Samurdhi officers visited affected areas to assess the needs. The bank’s CSR Trust released funds for a relief program structured on a needs based assessment carried out by the bank’s representatives.

As a result, 169 badly affected families in the Morawaka and Neluwa areas in the south received essential household items.

Commercial Bank’s Southern Regional Office distributed more than 3,800 litres of drinking water in Akuressa, Morawaka and Matara, while the Ratnapura branch donated a similar amount of water to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council for distribution. The CSR Trust also presented a cheque to the Ministry of Home Affairs to purchase rice for affected families.

These efforts were in addition to relief efforts organised by individual branches in flood affected areas, and the voluntary donation of a day’s salary by staff.