ADB, Sri Lanka sign USD2mn grant for flood and landslide relief

Jun 13, 2016 (LBO) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said they would grant US 2 million dollars to finance relief efforts in the country following the recent floods and landslides which claimed around 100 lives and damaged the homes and livelihoods of thousands more.

“Considering the scope of the damage in Sri Lanka and the government’s constrained resources, it is critical that we assist the people of Sri Lanka in this time of urgent need,” said Sri Widowati, country director ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission.

The grant is being provided to the government under ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to purchase emergency relief materials and supplies and help restore community services.

Tropical Storm Roanu, which struck Sri Lanka on 15 May, caused severe flooding and numerous landslides, with twenty two of 25 districts affected by the storm with an estimated 500 houses destroyed and a further 3,800 partially damaged.

Major landslides in two districts of Sabaragamuwa and the Central province caused further havoc and buried several villages in mudslides.