Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management calls for Meethotamulla relief support

“We felt sudden pangs in our hearts and the next thing we know, we were running in a stampede to save our lives from this kunu kandha (garbage mountain) falling on us,” said one of the residents who got into conversation Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) Sri Lanka team. 

On 14 April, mostly known as Avurudu Day in Sri Lanka, turned out to be not so auspicious for the folks living in line houses surrounding this infamous Meethotamulla garbage dump. Part of this mountain collapsed suddenly creating a chaotic situation which was also not expected. Taking its toll on 28 human lives as of 17 April, this disaster left over 1,500 homeless and displaced. 

A-PAD Sri Lanka team was one of the very few who gained access to information, debris site and basic relief essential, though being a holiday. Upon visit it found that the tri-forces were the first responders in reaching the site and engaging in search and rescue operations. Whilst it heard cries of family members who sat on the roadside as rescue teams carried out operations, it learnt the possibility of more victims who may be buried 30 feet below the accumulated debris and the rescue operations slowing down due to unavoidable circumstances. 

A-PAD Sri Lanka request the following urgent relief material. Water bottles (1L or 5L); new clothes for infants, children and adults; hygienic items, pampers, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, sanitary napkins; quick food items: biscuits, bread, jam, marmite, juice bottles; bed sheets, pillows and mosquito nets. A-PAD Sri Lanka appeals to the general public to support/volunteer at this hour of need.

Items can be dropped off at: A-PAD SL Head Office, No.24, Kassapa Road, Off Jawatte Road, Colombo 5 or directly provided to Sri Rahula Vidyalaya, Meethotamulla or Terrance N. De Silva camp, Kolonnawa or please contact:

Michelle 0773838281, Dilakshinee 0773525113, Sonali 0777314761.