Sri Lanka to send disaster relief teams, US$1 million aid to flood-hit Nepal
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka will deploy special disaster-relief teams from its security forces to Nepal in the coming days to assist with rescue and relief operations following severe flooding, Deputy Defence Minister Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara said, adding that the government has also begun preliminary arrangements to provide US$1 million in emergency financial assistance.
Speaking to journalists in Anuradhapura, Jayasekara said the government had taken a policy-level decision to send relief teams comprising personnel from the country’s three armed forces to support communities affected by the floods.
He said discussions were underway to determine the number of personnel and the types of teams required, based on an assessment of the situation and Nepal’s needs.
“Planning is currently underway on what type of teams should be sent, as well as their number and composition,” Jayasekara said, adding that the final arrangements are expected to be completed within the next few days.
The Defence Ministry, together with the National Disaster Management Relief Centre, is assessing Nepal’s requirements to ensure that the teams deployed from Sri Lanka are suited to the relief operations required on the ground, he said.
In addition to the deployment of relief personnel, the government has initiated preliminary arrangements to provide US$1 million in financial assistance to people affected by the disaster.
Jayasekara said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had expressed his condolences over the loss of life and destruction caused by the floods in Nepal and stressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to extend support to its South Asian neighbour during the crisis.
He said Sri Lanka would respond sympathetically to Nepal’s situation and provide assistance based on the country’s immediate needs.
–ENCL
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