UN seeks $ 51 million to meet the needs of flood affected Sri Lanka

The United Nations prepares to issue an appeal seeking US$ 51 million to meet the urgent needs of over one million people affected by the heavy rains and floods recently experienced in Sri Lanka.

The UN appeal for funds is to be launched tomorrow by the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Catherine Bragg who arrived in Colombo yesterday for a three-day official visit.

Bragg is to meet with those affected by the adverse weather conditions and the representatives from the Government, donors, and aid agencies during her visit that is to end on Friday (21).

The UN has said that the appeal is seeking US$ 51 million to enable international partners to support the government in addressing the needs of more than one million flood-affected people over the next six months.

The heavy rains and floods affected over one million people and resulted in 43 deaths. The Sri Lankan government has estimated the flood and landslides damage to be about US$ 500 million.

In its latest humanitarian report released Tuesday (18), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the government and the UN assessment team have identified agriculture and livelihood, shelter, nutrition, sanitation, and education as main needs.

The UN yesterday clarified that Bragg’s visit is focused on humanitarian issues and not related to the work of the advisory panel on Sri Lanka.