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The current drought in Sri Lanka is turning out to have a much more adverse affect than just a one and a half hour power cut. At a meeting at President’s House Wednesday, top officials from various ministries discussed with the President and agreed to provide maximum relief possible to the drought-stricken families. 150,000 families are believed to be affected by this drought. The worst affected area is the Hambantota district with approximately 105,000 affected families. An official from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development said that a research team is to travel to the affected areas during the weekend to assess the actual situation. Arrangements are being made to supply urgently needed relief to these families. The Minister of Food and Marketing Development, Reggie Ranatunga and the World Food Programme have promised to provide rice and other goods to affected families. 50 kilos of rice will also be provided to each family once a month. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies this month made a worldwide appeal for relief for 39,000 drought stricken families in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) is preparing to offer relief to 6,500 of the worst affected families in the Hambantota district after a request by the G.A. and the Red Cross Society Branch in Hambantota. A package consisting of rice, dhal, sugar and flour will be distributed to these families for an initial period of three months. An official at the SLRC said, “Initially, it will be for three months. It will be later extended to six months based on the requirement.”
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