|
|
|
 |
 |
|||
|
Foreign
Ministry press release In response to the Government’s international appeal for immediate and medium term aid, a large number of countries and organizations have come forward with offers of assistance. India, France, Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Israel, the UK, Greece, Nepal, China, Australia, Slovak Republic, Hungary, Turkey, Switzerland, Canada, the USA, UAE, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, and UN, Red Cross organisations, and many other relief agencies have responded within the first two days of the tidal wave disaster with offers of assistance. A large number of world leaders have also conveyed messages of sympathy and condolence. Due to the overwhelming international response received, as well as the generous assistance and contributions from local volunteer organizations, institutions, and fellow Sri Lankans, the Government will be able to shift its focus from emergency rescue and relief to the medium term assistance required, mainly in the areas of housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The current necessity is primarily for the supply of material and financial assistance, more than foreign relief personnel. The lack of accommodation for foreign experts arriving in the country is an additional concern. Many volunteer experts including Sri Lankan and foreign experts are already at work and more expatriate Sri Lankans are expected to arrive. As of now, approximately 14,000 people have lost their lives in all parts of the island, following the devastation mainly in the Eastern and Southern coastal belt, while over 600,000 have been rendered homeless. Bodies of 73 foreign nationals have been recovered while bodies of 08 Japanese, 04 German and 04 Indian nationals have been identified. The Sri Lanka Tourist Board is coordinating the transport of stranded tourists in the affected areas to Colombo. The Government has expressed readiness to provide assistance to all affected people without any discrimination, including to those in uncleared areas. Relief goods, medical supplies and personnel, including special aircraft received from the Russian Federation have already been deployed in the North and East, while the deployment of another contingent of specialized relief personnel flown in from France is underway in these two provinces. International and local volunteer organizations are working alongside the Government officials and LTTE’s political wing to distribute relief supplies. Meanwhile, the Rehabilitation Ministry has sent several loads of tents and bottled drinking water to the North. 2,000 metric tons of sugar and 195 metric tons of dhal have been dispatched for distribution among the victims in the five districts of the North and East. More supplies to these areas are in the pipeline. The Rehabilitation Ministry has granted approval for regional government officers to purchase rice from areas close to affected districts, while additional supplies from Colombo will be sent by road this week. UN relief agencies are assisting the Government in the relief effort. The Government will also provide a cash donation for the burial of bodies, and also expedite the disposal of bodies after taking necessary steps to facilitate identification.
|
|
Contact Information: Send mail to 