US offers Rs. 6.5 m immediate assistance for disaster relief

Saturday, 1 November 2014 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To meet the urgent needs of victims of the recent landslides in Koslanda, the United States Government has provided Rs. 6.5 million (US$ 50,000) for emergency humanitarian assistance, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said in a release. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working closely with Sri Lanka’s National Disaster Relief Services Center and international aid partners to coordinate the donation of most urgently-needed items. The U.S. assistance is being provided through World Vision to supply emergency non-food items such as blankets, mattresses, clothing, hygiene kits, and footwear, as well as education material for children, child counseling services and psycho-social first aid to help those affected recover from the disaster. The U.S. Embassy will continue coordinating with Sri Lankan authorities to decide how best to complement their extensive efforts. The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison has declared a disaster and requested the assistance from Washington, the State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said Thursday. “We know that the families and communities of the Koslanda area will require immediate and long-term assistance to recover from the devastation caused by the landslide,” said Ambassador Sison. “Our U.S. grant announced today provides the items identified by the National Disaster Relief Service Center as most urgently required on the ground. These donations will help 1,000 affected children and families, and we continue to offer our full support.” Yesterday the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., also conveyed its deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Sri Lanka and the families affected by the recent landslides. “We commend the Government of Sri Lanka and its armed forces for their rapid response and valiant search and rescue efforts,” said the State Department spokesperson.

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