Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum completes multi-phase relief program for journalists affected by Cyclone Ditwah
COLOMBO – The Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) has successfully concluded a multi-phase humanitarian relief program to support journalists severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah, extending assistance to 36 media professionals across several districts.
The initiative was launched in recognition of the fact that journalists are often among the first responders during disasters but are frequently overlooked as victims themselves. Many of the beneficiaries suffered extensive damage to their homes, loss of livelihoods and destruction of essential professional equipment during the cyclone.
SLMMF said the relief program was inclusive in nature, extending support beyond its membership to journalists from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, reflecting a commitment to solidarity and unity within Sri Lanka’s media sector.
Assistance was provided to affected journalists in the Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Gampaha, Badulla, Kegalle and Anuradhapura districts. Relief packages included sanitation kits, dry ration packs, essential household items, kitchen utensils and direct financial assistance, aimed at meeting both immediate and short-term needs.
The humanitarian effort was made possible through the support of the Qatar Charity Sri Lanka Office, JJ Foundation Chairman Muhammad Haneef and businessman Peerkan Rizvi, whose contributions were instrumental in the successful completion of the program.
As part of the initiative, representatives of the SLMMF conducted home visits to 20 affected journalists in the Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha and Puttalam districts to assess ground conditions and deliver assistance directly. In a further step to help journalists resume their professional duties, SLMMF partnered with the Colombo District Mosques Federation to replace professional equipment for two journalists in Colombo whose tools had been destroyed by floodwaters.
Commenting on the initiative, SLMMF President M.B.M. Fairooz said journalists play a critical role in keeping the public informed during times of crisis, often at great personal risk.
“Unfortunately, many journalists also become victims of the same disasters they report on. Through this program, we aimed not only to provide material assistance but also to stand in solidarity with our colleagues and strengthen the sense of brotherhood within the media fraternity,” he said.
Fairooz also expressed appreciation to the donor organizations, individual contributors and members of the SLMMF Executive Committee for their collective efforts, reaffirming the Forum’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of journalists, regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation.
-ENCL
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