【Sri Lanka-2】Shelter Kits Distribution to Save the Flood Victims

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Mid April, HFH Japan has started a shelter project in Batticaloa, an Eastern prefecture of Sri Lanka. The country has suffered floods caused by monsoon in January and February this year, and it victimized 1,250,000 people nationwide. With funding from the Japan Platform, HFH Japan is conducting this project targeting the victims in Eastern and Northeastern regions.
　
On May 2nd, we repaired a house in Katparnkerny of Manmunai West. The homeowner, Ms. Kandaiah has a family of six including four children. The family's main source of income was farming but the floods have damaged his fields of rice, green peas and cassava so severely that he can't harvest till fall. The family is surviving on a very little they make from selling their goats and chickens, but even that can bring an average of 250 rupees (approximately $3) a day only. Their house has been completely washed away and the part left surviving has submerged under water. They are currently living in a makeshift house they build with mismatch of materials gathered from the surrounding areas and given by a relief aid. Describing his living condition, Ms. Kandaiah shared "we are exposed to the elements like rain and pests including mosquitoes, snakes and scorpions even inside the house."
　　
The main focus of this project is to distribute the shelter kit, which consists of materials for house repairs. However, we are also demonstrating how to utilize these kits while working together with the homeowners. On this recent build, HFH Japan's local staff and Ms. Kandaiah worked together under skilled workers' supervision to complete the full house frame within three hours.
　

Habitat staffs helping the construction; Ms. Kandaiah signing the contract; Smiles under the new roof　　
　
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2011.04.18　Habitat Japan to Start Two Humanitarian Reliefs in Sri Lanka