On the 16th of May 2016, tropical cyclone Roanu, wreaked havoc in several districts of Sri Lanka. Torrential floods affected low lying areas along the River Kelani and devastated many towns located in the outskirts of Colombo.
Reports revealed that over 500 houses had been completely destroyed and over 4,000 houses were damaged during the floods. Among the disastrous after-effects, was a catastrophic landslide in town of Aranayake, situated in the Kegalle district.
Almost six months after, flood-affected areas continue to administer relief solutions for those affected by the disaster. With construction of homes still underway, most families from the landslide-prone areas in the Kegalle District have been relocated to temporary camps or Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps.
Life in IDP camps is challenging.
The above photo was taken at the IDP camp in Wellampitiya immediately after the IDPs were relocated to temporary camps.
However, the situation is not entirely grim. Life seems to be improving incrementally with the aid of International Organizations, NGOs and the Government of Sri Lanka.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sri Lanka visited one of the IDP camps in Elagapitiya in early November 2016.
The visit helped to understand the issues faced by the victims and the daily obstacles they endure.
“In disaster situations, the first thing that happens is that you lose all your belongings. So you’re generally left with what you’re wearing and the items that you can easily carry. Secondly, your social support system may no longer exist, and your family may be separated from you. And third, you have lesser privacy. Many women in these situations have no privacy when changing their clothes, using toilets and bathing areas as these are mostly common areas for women and men. In these situations, women no longer have access to sanitary products and underwear – this puts them in an uncomfortable situation. Limitation to mobility affects accessibility to relief items." – Mr. Jayan Abeywickrema, National Programme Officer, UNFPA Sri Lanka
Addressing the situation, UNFPA Sri Lanka donated $5,000 to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to purchase sanitary items for victims of Cyclone Roanu. The District Secretariat stated that sanitary items are essential not only as immediate relief, but during resettlement too.
As part of a continued relief effort, UNFPA requested for funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support women and girls of reproductive age, and pregnant mothers who were affected by the floods.
The UNFPA funds covered the cost of 1,000 maternity kits and 5,400 dignity kits for women, which were delivered directly to the stakeholders via Provincial Ministries of Health with the support of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka.
UNFPA also supported ten reproductive health clinics and facilitated ten awareness sessions on reproductive health and on gender-based violence, which were conducted by the Ministry of Health for the affected communities.
UNFPA intends to continue supporting affected persons to ensure necessary aid is provided during the ongoing resettlement process.
Upon the visit, it was noted that while conditions of the camps were not ideal, many of the victims have not given up hope.
They are patient, they are hopeful, and they look forward to returning to their daily routines in the near future.
