Oxfam to increase its emergency relief efforts in Sri Lanka flooding and landslides

Oxfam is increasing its relief efforts to help thousands who have been hit by the floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

The international agency is working through its partners in five districts of the country: Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle, Puttalam and Ratnapura. It has reached so far almost 7,000 people with distributing hygiene kits and setting up temporary latrines.

Oxfam is also about to set up cash for work programs in the coming days. Thousands of families, who are dependent on agriculture and daily wage, will lose their crops and income for at least 3-4 weeks, and need assistance.

Nearly 425,000 Sri Lankans were affected, and 240,000 remain displaced by floods, landslides, and torrential rains.

Despite the continuous strong winds and heavy rains Oxfam is planning to reach 17,500 people.

Oxfam's Sri Lanka Country Director says that "People in landslide prone areas will have to stay in camps until their villages are safe. Some will have to be resettled. Children, women and the poor will face many challenges. We will work closely with the government to assist them.”