OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Sri Lanka - Floods
19 December 2002


This report is based on information received from the Office of the UN
Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegation in Sri Lanka as well as
media reports.

I.  SITUATION

1.  Heavy rain has affected the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka and parts of
the North Central Province for the past few days, leading to flooding in
the Batticaloa district, located in the South-Eastern part of the island.
Floods in the Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapra and Kilinochchi districts were also
reported. Heavy rain continues to fall in the already flood-affected area.
The Department of Meteorology in Sri Lanka forecast further heavy falls in
the Eastern and Uva regions.

2.  According to the Government Agent in Batticaloa, around 70,000
families are affected by the floods. As at today, 5,000 families are
displaced (around 20,000 to 25,000 persons). Although the number is not
officially confirmed, floods have reportedly killed two villagers so far.

3.  About 5,000 mud huts are reportedly destroyed. The Colombo-Batticaloa
road has been blocked as a result of the floods. "Elephant Pass", the
bridge to the Jaffna peninsula is also submerged in flood. The paddy
cultivations in the Batticaloa district are also being affected by the
floods. This could lead in the longer term to a food shortage situation.


II.  NATIONAL RESPONSE

4.  Local Government authorities and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society
(SLRCS) have put in place a number of urgent mechanisms to provide flood
victims with food and temporary shelter.  Flood victims have found refuge
in schools and places of worship throughout the district. The Government,
with the assistance of volunteers has provided dry rations and cooked food
for the victims.

5.  The Government has released Rs. 2 million (USD 20,931) for the
Batticaloa district. The allocation of funds also included Rs. 400,000
(USD 4,186) to Kilinoshi, Rs. 300,000 (USD 3,140) to Anaradhapura, Rs.
500,000 (USD 5,233) to Polonnaruwa, Rs. 200,000 (USD 2,095) to Trincomalee
district and Rs. 200,000 (USD 2095) to Ampara district. The Social
Services Department has also released Rs. 3.6 million (USD 37,676) for the
flood victims.


III.  INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

6.  According to the Office of the UNRC, the government is managing the
response to the floods. UN agencies and NGOs in co-operation with the
government are addressing the most immediate needs by provided basic
relief items. The UN has been requested by the Government to assist 2,000
families. To date, UN agencies have distributed plastic sheeting and
blankets to the victims.

7.  To enhance the coordination capacity of the different actors towards
the future relief efforts, a meeting took taking place today in
Batticaloa. This visit to the most affected district was also an
opportunity to assess directly the situation and the needs of the affected
populations. The Government Agent of the district, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP,
UNDP, international and national NGOs have attended the meeting. The
Office of the UNRC will provide OCHA with a minutes of the meeting in the
coming days.

8.  No official Government request for international assistance has been
received to date.

9.  OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in
Colombo, and will revert with further information, as appropriate.

10.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int



Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. R. Muller / Ms. Heloise Ruaudel
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31 /17 69

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Brian Grogan direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143


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