January 2011 - Sri Lanka’s Central, Eastern and Northern provinces under water!

- Pictures courtesy of Reuters

Rain and snow have unleashed havoc in many parts of the globe signalling that climate change is real and is already here. Our wish is that those affected will be able to rebuild their homes and restart their livelihoods soon.

Rain came down on sunny Sri Lanka from early December 2010, and now we have severe flooding in the Central, Eastern and Northern provinces.

The floods and mudslides have led to 24 reported deaths in these areas.

While Batticaloa and Ampare Districts are the most affected in the eastern province, it has been impossible to get an accurate estimate of the number of people affected as the road network had been submerged making many areas not even accessible.

However, it is estimated that well over a million people are affected by the floods. The Meteorological Department of SL forecasts more rain in the already affected areas, and so it is apparent that we need to act fast to provide relief to those already affected and to mitigate a further disaster that will arise from waterborne diseases.

Preliminary assessments by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which liaises with all UN agencies and the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre (DMC) indicate that Non-Food relief items, Dry Rations, and Drinking Water are on the top of the most needed list.

The Rotary Club of Colombo Regency (RCCR) will keep a close look at the situation and be tuned into the assessment of OCHA and DMC when purchasing and dispatching relief items to areas most in need.

RCCR are in the process of raising funds to purchase items in need, and would very much appreciate your contributions to fund immediate relief to those affected.

You may make a direct deposit into the following account dedicated for this relief effort:

ACCOUNT NAME : Rotary Club of Colombo Regency

ACCOUNT NUMBER : 001-003771-009

BANK NAME : HSBC

BANK ADDRESS : 24, Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha, Colombo 1

SWIFT CODE : HSBC LKLX

CHEQUES : Drawn in favour of ‘Rotary Club of Colombo Regency’

Please email us at rotarycolomboregency@gmail.com so that we could reconcile and recognize your contribution. Do let us know if you need a receipt for your contribution, and the mailing address to do so.

We will acknowledge all funds received and report on how funds received are utilised through this blog - so please refer to it from time to time.

If you need further information, please contact:

President

Rtn. Bilal Mohamed

+94 77 735 2915

bilal@asianadventures.lk

Correspondence Address: 74A, Park Street, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka

President Elect

Rtn. Gehan de Alwis

+94 77 736 8820

Treasurer/ Past President

Rtn. Bary Jaleel

+94 77 730 0239

Past President

Rtn. Mario Perumal

+94 77 737 1204

Past President

Rtn. Tharanga Gunaratna

+94 77 738 9075

Thank You,

Rotary Club of Colombo Regency

RI District 3220, Sri Lanka