Govt. carries out needs assessment for reconstruction

• UN says 603,000 people remain affected in 12 districts with 23 agencies providing relief 

The United Nations in its latest flood relief update said an estimated 603,000 people are affected in 12 districts and 23 agencies are providing relief measures in key areas. 

The DMC also reported a significant decrease in the number of people at safe locations. About 14,655 people remain temporarily displaced in 159 safe locations compared to 72,000 people inside safe locations last week.

The western and eastern coastal areas of Sri Lanka, including districts severely affected by the floods and landslides, will receive below average rainfall in June. The Department of Meteorology forecasts that southern areas including Hambantota, Matale, Moneragala and Badulla are predicted to receive average rainfall for the month.  While average rainfall is beginning to decrease, landslide watch warnings are in effect for the Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Hambantota and Nuwara Eliya districts.

As the situation stabilises, the Sri Lankan Government has begun to refocus on relief, recovery and reconstruction in affected areas. The Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs is currently carrying out a needs assessment to plan for mid to long-term recovery, reconstruction and development programs. Initial estimates indicate that priority areas include the implementation of mitigation and prevention programs, the reconstruction of housing, roads and schools, and the renovation of electricity and water networks.

The security forces and other international search and rescue teams continue to support people in affected districts while other organisations begin to scale back their response. Under the Sri Lanka Navy’s North-South Brotherhood program, Navy troops in Jaffna have donated dry rations and drinking water for delivery to flood and monsoon-affected southern districts.

Civil society continues to provide relief to affected communities through organised and coordinated responses online. 

The Seals Volunteer Search and Rescue Team (SVERT) coordinating with the Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) have ceased daily rescue operations, as have animal rescue teams.

Pledges of support continue to be received from international partners. Bangladesh has committed $ 500,000 to the Government of Sri Lanka and is also working to collect medical donations from Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies. To date, over 20 countries have provided assistance through funding or in-kind support. An Emergency Response Plan has been launched by the UN Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) outlines the support UN agencies and local and international NGOs are aiming to provide to the 374,000 most severely affected people in the seven districts of Galle, Gampaha, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara and Ratnapura.

As of 8 June, a total of 23 agencies are currently implementing health, protection, education, food security, WASH, emergency shelter and NFIs and early recovery activities in nine districts.