UN support for flood relief efforts in Sri Lanka

United Nations agencies are currently supporting the Government’s relief efforts in coordinating and mobilising resources after receiving an initial request from the Government related to search and rescue efforts.

A formal request for support by the Sri Lankan Government was received by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office on Friday (26) following the onset of the monsoon and its impact in the southern and western regions of the country, the UN Office in Colombo said. 

Issuing a statement, the UN stressed the importance of following evacuation orders to minimise the loss of human life. UN agencies are currently supporting the Government’s relief efforts in coordinating and mobilising resources.

UNICEF will donate water containers, water purification tablets and tarpaulin sheets to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

WHO will be supporting the Ministry of Health to deploy medical teams to the affected districts. 

WFP and UNDP are supporting the DMC with information management. UN OCHA will provide additional human resources for coordination with Government and humanitarian partners. 

Search and rescue efforts are on standby from neighbouring countries and can be deployed if needed, the release said.

Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to continue into the first week of June, raising the risk that current conditions may worsen with land access to many affected areas restricted due to water inundation and landslides.