UN to assess damage, relief needs for flood-hit Sri Lanka region: OCHA
February 9, 2011 01:40 am
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the magnitude and impact of a second wave of floods that hit Sri Lanka are worse than those which struck a few weeks ago.
Official figures show that more than 1.1 million people have been affected by the floods, including nearly 200,000 displaced persons. Further heavy rainfall is expected in the days ahead, UN Secretary General’s spokesman Maretin Nesirky has stated during the noon briefing at the United Nations headquarters on Tuesday, February 08.
The UN system is supporting an effort to assess the extent of the damage, as well as what the immediate relief needs are. UN agencies are already responding with a wide range of supplies, including food and medicine, Mr. Nesirky has added.
The Sri Lanka Floods Flash Appeal has reached $7.7 million as of today (Feb 08), out of $50 million that had been requested, or about 15 percent. The Flash Appeal will be revised at the end of the month, the spokesman has said.
Pic. courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force
