The East Is Calling - Flood Crisis in Sri Lanka

Volunteers embarked on the second phase of flood relief efforts, distributing five temporary shelters for over 350 families in Kantale where the flood water has devastated over a million lives and claimed many. Kantale, Sri Lanka. 06/02/2011
Like the Tsunami that struck in 2004 it is the same communities that are suffering from this disaster. The devastation is terrible and the destruction is far greater than that of the great wave that struck over 7 years ago. Talking to most of the local folk who are farmers, they say that their livelihood is lost along with their crop and homes and are now under temporary shelters seeking refuge.

Many fled their homes leaving all belongings while some carried what ever that they could salvage. Others returned from time to time as the rains seized but in most cases, the water levels refuse to go down as the rains have not ceased and the local meteorological department states that the rains will continue till early May, which is not good news at all.

As we completed our efforts and began our drive back to Colombo, we passed a house located on the main road in Habarana. It was, in fact, not a house at all, for the prevailing weather conditions had done its worse, leaving it flattened and ruined. After traveling a good 50 meters, we decided to turn around and inquire what had happened to the house.
As we approached the house we saw a man salvaging roofing sheets and all possible building materials that could be reused to build this house which was literally made out of mud. He explained that the house had come down the day before, and we asked him if we could lend a hand. Although puzzled and utterly confused at first, as mere strangers were requesting to help, he finally agreed. The few of us then began to take the house apart before it collapsed and caused more damage. After four long hours of grueling with metal and wood, we managed to remove everything that could be reused.
During this process we gathered more information regarding the man’s situation and family. W.M. Guneratne is a father of 2 daughters, one aged 2 1⁄2 years and the other a month old infant. The house is located at the 107th Kilometer Mile post, Audangawa, Kimbissa, in the district of Matale. They were living in a shop owned by a neighbour and couldn’t last there for long.
As a movement that is committed to helping the lives of others and stepping in when we can, we decided that we needed to do something about this. We realized that it was impossible to rebuild this house with just one man alone. The need for more resources and manpower was evident.

The Response:
STITCH along with Ozaid has decided to raise 150,000 rupees (USD 1400) by this week to help him rebuild his home in order that He and his family can move in. The above cost is only for the raw materials as the manpower will be provided by STITCH through its volunteers. We hope to start the process this weekend and complete it within a week if the weather is in our favor.

The Hour of need is now. Let us unite wherever we may be and reach out and help in what ever way we could to help these people.