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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Complex Emergency, 10-07-11
Despite the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in May 2009, conflict-affected individuals continue to require humanitarian assistance in northern areas of the country. As of September 14, approximately 7,500 individuals remained in the Manik Farm displacement camp, nearly 57,500 resided with host families, and an estimated 135,000 refugees continued to live outside Sri Lanka, according to the U.S. Embassy in Colombo. In addition, the nearly 396,000 individuals who have resettled to areas of origin in Northern Province continue to require humanitarian assistance, particularly shelter, livelihoods, and WASH support. As the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) reopens areas of Northern Province previously off limits for resettlement, additional returnees will require humanitarian assistance in areas of return.
On October 7, U.S. Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis re-declared a disaster due to the effects of the complex emergency in Sri Lanka. USAID/OFDA currently prioritizes returnee assistance in Sri Lanka through activities in agriculture and food security, economic recovery and market systems, humanitarian coordination and information management, shelter and settlements, and water, sanitation, and hygiene, with a focus on laying the groundwork for long-term recovery initiatives. Since the disaster was first declared in fiscal year 2006, USAID/OFDA has provided nearly $36 million in response to the complex emergency in Sri Lanka.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Floods, 01-11-2011
Heavy rains in late December and early January exacerbated seasonal monsoon conditions, causing floods in 13 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts, with the greatest number of people affected in the eastern Batticaloa and Ampara districts. In total, floods and landslides affected more than 1 million people as of January 13, killing 21 individuals and displacing nearly 274,000 others to 534 internally displaced person camps, according to the Government of Sri Lanka Disaster Management Center (DMC). In addition, the DMC reported that floods damaged or destroyed approximately 17,400 houses, as well as disrupted power, blocked or washed away roads, and damaged infrastructure and crops.
On January 11, U.S. Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis declared a disaster due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Sri Lanka to Save the Children for emergency relief supplies to benefit affected populations.
Floods, 5-20-2010
Since May 14, heavy rains associated with the May to August monsoon season have caused flooding and landslides in 13 districts of Sri Lanka, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Matara, Puttulam, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Mannar, Kurunegala, Trinco, and Ampara. As of May 21, flooding and landslides had killed approximately 24 individuals, injured an estimated 50 people, and affected more than 524,000 others, according to the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) Disaster Management Center (DMC). The GoSL DMC reported on May 21 that more than 17,000 people had relocated to internally displaced person camps. As of May 21, floods and landslides had destroyed more than 260 houses and partially damaged more than 1,160 others, as well as damaged power systems and other infrastructure in flood- and landslide-affected areas. The U.S. Embassy in Colombo reports that the GoSL DMC and international organizations continue to conduct damage assessments and monitor endemic dengue fever in affected areas.
On May 20, U.S. Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the flooding and landslides. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Colombo to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society for emergency relief supplies. The U.S. Embassy in Colombo and USAID/Sri Lanka continue to monitor humanitarian conditions in flood- and landslide-affected areas.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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