More than 500,000 people have been affected by heavy flooding in western and southern Sri Lanka.

Heavy monsoon rains since 14 May resulted in flash floods, high winds, landslides, lightening and thunder storms in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle and Galle. The Associated Press is reporting that 20 people have died, mostly in the western Gampaha district.

UNICEF Sri Lanka has been taking an active role through support for the Government’s Disaster Management Centre and provision of vital emergency supplies.

In an emergency it is essential to ensure access to clean water, adequate sanitation and hygiene. If this does not happen then the risk of diarrhoeal diseases increases, with children under five years of age the most vulnerable.

UNICEF’s support has included providing 80,000 water purification tablets, 90 Water Pumps, soap and sanitation items, water tanks, and plastic buckets.

In addition, UNICEF has also provided affected families with 3,000 packs of High Energy Biscuits, cooking utensils, plastic sheeting, and mosquito nets.

How you can help
Make a donation to UNICEF NZ’s Emergency Fund