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Seen almost anywhere there is a crisis, the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) makes its presence in this situation as well. It is offering relief to 1000 of the worst affected families in four division, which it has identified as being the most affected; namely, Lunugamvehera, Tissamaharama, Hambantota and Sooriyawewa. According to an official from the SLRC office in Colombo, 3000 families from each of these divisions were identified primarily, after which a total of 1000 families were selected. Secretary of the Hambantota branch of the SLRC, K. Prematilake said, “We conducted a field survey by going from door to door and identified 15 [grama niladhari] divisions that are most affected from the four divisions.” Consequent to receiving a sum of Rs. 5 million (US$ 55555) from the Global Disaster Fund, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had made an appeal on August 13. Thushari Samarawickrama, Information Officer at SLRC said, “After the appeal, the Danish, Swedish and Canadian Red Cross Societies offered to assist.” In total, these three societies will be providing a sum of Rs. 9.3 million (US$ 103333) for the Hambantota district alone. That brings the total figure to approximately Rs. 14.3 million (US$ 158888). Samarawickrama said, “This appeal is only for the Hambantota district. To assist the other districts we would have to launch another appeal and this one is just for Hambantota.” A separate appeal for other affected areas appears to be on the agenda. However, no particular date was given as to when SLRC plans on launching this appeal. In addition, the Iranian and Norwegian Red Cross Societies have also offered to assist although the amount was still uncertain by the third week of September. The IFRC is also negotiating with the World Food Programme to acquire assistance in kind. Families that depend on farming with an income level of less than Rs. 500 (US$ 5) whose crops have failed due to the drought were the ones included in the total 1000. The rations provided include 67.5 kilos of rice, 8 kilos of sugar, 40 kilos of flour and 20 kilos of dhal. This will be provided in two stages; one began on September 1st and the second will begin about a month later.
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