No disease outbreak in flood-hit areas: Govt.

As relief efforts continue the Government yesterday insisted it was fully prepared to deal with possible disease outbreaks in affected areas and rejected claims of medicine shortages. 

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne dismissed reports of resource shortages in areas where flood victims are still living in camps and credited medical authorities with working around the clock to prevent disease outbreaks. 

“There have been no disease outbreaks in these areas because our people are doing everything that can be done. I have given instructions to release all necessary funds and medicines as well as other equipment to the affected areas. People are working very hard to ensure that there are no disease outbreaks,” he told reporters. 

Dr. Senaratne rubbished claims that health authorities were not prepared for a possible fresh outbreak of dengue and rejected reports of medicine shortages. As fresh rains continue, medical professionals have warned that a new outbreak of dengue could be possible and have warned relief workers to be extra vigilant. The torrential rains and floods, which destroyed or damaged thousands of houses, have also created new breeding grounds for mosquitoes. 

“There were no outbreaks after the 2016 floods and there will be none after this as well. We are confident.” 

On Tuesday the Government met with representatives of all development partners of Sri Lanka to seek medium- and long-term assistance to carry out a comprehensive rebuilding program in the districts affected by recent floods and landslides.

Dubbed ‘Build Back Better’, the program will devise a comprehensive rebuilding strategy to reconstruct all infrastructure damaged during the disaster using techniques that will help prevent such calamities in the future. 

The development partners have largely agreed to take responsibility for different sectors of rebuilding, as the damage incurred is spread over a variety of sectors including health, education and housing. 

The reconstruction program is to be coordinated through the Prime Minister’s office.

The Government is scheduled to complete the damage assessment of the 14 districts by 15 May.  

A number of countries and organisations have already committed to assist Sri Lanka to rebuild in flood-affected areas.