UNICEF is seeking $13.5 million to provide emergency assistance to more than one million people affected by the heaviest rains in Sri Lanka in almost a century.

The funds will go towards providing water, sanitation and hygiene supplies as well as education, health and nutrition and are part of an appeal for almost $70 million launched by the United Nations and its partners.

Devastating floods in eastern and central Sri Lanka have resulted in 43 deaths and driven more than 360,000 people from their homes. With thousands of homes totally destroyed, displaced families are sheltering in temporary relocation centres, but humanitarian organisations are warning that their resources to respond to the flood crisis are exhausted.

Beginning in late December 2010, unusually heavy rains caused floods and landslides throughout the country. The floods followed two cycles of flash flooding in the capital city of Colombo on 10 November and in the northern districts from late November onwards. This series of record rainfalls and extensive floods have had a cumulative effect, stretching stretched available resources to the brink of exhaustion.

Agricultural production is the main source of livelihood in the affected regions and this season’s rice harvest is now severely damaged.

The floods are an enormous setback for communities that are slowly rebuilding their lives following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and the decades-long conflict which ended in 2009.

Humanitarian organisations voiced concerns for the remainder of the monsoon season, which goes until February. If there are more heavy rains, this could have a big impact on the lives of already vulnerable people.

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