Asian earthquake and tsunamis

Sri Lanka: More than 12,000 families helped in the North and East
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has so far provided essential household items to nearly 12,150 families in the North and East of Sri Lanka hit by the Tsunami on 26 December. Each kit typically comprises a bucket, three bed sheets, two plastic mats, a cooking set, and soap. Many families also received lanterns and clothing. All ICRC relief distributions were carried out in close co-operation with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS)

North of Sri Lanka, Mullaitivu District, Tsunami victims, 27.12.04
J. Van Heerden

Starting a few hours after the catastrophe, the ICRC and the SLRCS began helping authorities in the affected areas to evacuate hundreds of injured persons and recover corpses. In addition to its large-scale relief distributions, the ICRC has also provided medical supplies including vaccines, antibiotics, disinfectant and bandages to hospitals in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. In these areas and in the Trincomalee district the ICRC has also begun delivering water tanks to welfare centres hosting displaced persons.

Over the coming days the ICRC plans to assist a further 18,000 families drawing on relief items already in storage in Sri Lanka. Additional supplies are due to arrive on different relief flights. The organisation also plans to further assist medical structures and improve water and sanitation in the North (Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts) and the East (Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara) of Sri Lanka " areas where the ICRC was active before the disaster struck.

Meanwhile, five joint ICRC / SLRCS teams have been offering tracing services to displaced persons staying at welfare centres at the South, North and East of the country. The displaced are given the possibility to contact relatives in Sri Lanka or elsewhere by telephone. Tracing needs continue to be assessed in other locations hosting displaced persons. In addition, the ICRC continues to operate a website (www.familylinks.icrc.org) to help separated families in Sri Lanka and other countries affected by this catastrophe

The ICRC closely cooperates with its partners in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society and other national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies sending personnel and relief goods to Sri Lanka.

For more information please contact:
Marcal Izard, ICRC Colombo, ++94 777 28 96 82
Florian Westphal, ICRC Geneva, ++41 22 730 29 30 / ++41 79 217 32 26
Eros Bosisio, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730 21 01./ ++41 79 217 3264

http://www.icrc.org