Sri Lanka which had a lengthy drought during 2014 had unusual rainy weather in the latter part of the year culminating with continued rain during the month of December. The water table, which was high because of this weather pattern, simply went over when some areas received up to 400mm of rain in mid-December. Of the 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka 21 districts and 1.1 million people were affected with over 100,000 people displaced. Mudslides destroyed many houses in the hill country and in one instance, a small community of people were buried alive.
All hydro-electric reservoirs in the country were filled up, which was first time since 1957 this happened. The dams’ gates were opened to let the excess water out. But this caused flooding of surrounding areas where people who were not affected by rain water also lost their homes and belongings. In some areas people were marooned by the rivers overflowing, flooding the access roads to the villages. Boats were used to transport the people to safer places. The Sri Lanka Air Force air dropped food and essentials to places that were cut away.
Relief Provided
- Cooked meals during the early days of flood
Area served – Batticaloa, Badulla , Kakirawa, Giriulla, Kotadeniyawa
- Dry rations
Area served – Valaichchenai, Vakarai, Thirukkovil, Puthiyanagar, Iyankerny, Pothuvil, Mankeruny, Batticaloa, Akkaraipattu, Arayampathy, Chenkalady, Thiraimadu, Moracottanchenai, Muttur, Eravur, Nalla, Sarukkady, Trincomalee, Kanthale, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Galewela, Dambulla, Bakamuna, Thalawa, Paliyatta
- Replace of dwelling & replacing damage household goods
Giriulla (North Westen), Divulapitiya (Westen)
- Personal Clothing for Adults
Area served – Kotadeniyawa, Giriulla
Disaster Relief from AG
Many Churches of the Assemblies of God of Sri Lanka are situated in the middle of the towns and villages that were affected. This makes them close
to the people where the “church goes to the people rather than people to the church”. When calamity strikes the church is in the midst of the people and they take care of those who are of the church and others around as well. The typical village church may have around 15 -20 families but they help many more families in the vicinity. This is another was the church reaches out to the unreached people.
Many of these churches started providing cooked food for the affected as the recent disaster struck. The believers would come together and assist in the preparations. In some places dry rations were handed over to the families.
Assisting is rebuilding
Many village houses are constructed with wattle and daub which are easily destroyed by floods. Their life belongings, clothing etc. were spoilt or simply washed away. School children lost their study materials, uniforms, shoes etc. The loss is greater since houses store most items on the floor as storage cupboards are scares.
The village residents who are predominantly farmers, had their produce destroyed affecting their livelihood.
