Korean Government hands over humanitarian assistance items to flood victims

The Government of the Republic of Korea handed over humanitarian assistance items worth $ 300,000 to the Ministry of Disaster Management of Sri Lanka on 7 June. The relief items comprise 200 family tents (660cm x 400cm), 3,500 tarpaulins (4.2m x 5m), 2,600 blankets (210cm x 150cm), and 2,503 blankets (1.5m x 2m).

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Disaster Management of Sri Lanka held the hand-over ceremony at the Ministry on 7 June. Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Chang Won-sam, Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, KOICA Sri Lanka Office Country Director Lee Dong-ku and other dignitaries were present at the hand-over ceremony. 

Apart from the government-level humanitarian assistance, the Korean community and companies are also continuing to assist the victims affected by floods and landslides. The Korean Businessmen’s Association (KBA) of Sri Lanka donated relief goods worth of about Rs. 15 million (long boots, rubber gloves and soaps) to the Sri Lanka Police on 2 June. One of Korea’s leading companies, SK Energy and Service (SK E&S) made a donation of $ 20,000 as relief assistance to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Korea. In addition, Korean Actress Lee Young-ae, well-known as the heroine of Sujatha Diyani, contributed KRW 56 million (approximately $ 50,000) to assist in flood relief efforts.

Furthermore, the Korean Residents Association of Lanka is collecting funds and relief goods for the flood victims and bereaved families in Ratnapura, and is expected to hand them over on 8 June.