World Vision, USAID WASH partnership

World Vision Lanka and USAID recently signed an agreement to provide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) assistance to families affected by the adverse Southwest monsoon emergency.  The Project will provide hygiene kits and disinfection kits to 2,500 families and renovate of household and institutional (school/pre-school) sanitation units. Emergency portable sanitation facilities will also be provided to permanent camps in Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts.  

A partnership agreement was signed by both agencies in Colombo in order to commence the recovery work and the project will be in collaboration with the Divisional Secretariat, the local government, relevant government departments and institutions.

“According to reports, 4500 water sources in the Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts are at risk, thus making at least 138,000 children most vulnerable being prone to diseases as a result of water contamination,” says Dhanan, Senathirajah National Director World Vision Lanka, “Having access to clean water and sanitation is key to keep diseases out during a disasters and that is why we have a special focus on WASH during this response.”

The heavy flooding and landslides caused by the Southwest Monsoon on 26th May, claimed the lives of 212 while 79 are still missing. The disaster affected over 844,000 people in 11 Districts and displaced over 76,000. 

World Vision Lanka declared this as Category II Emergency and commenced its relief response immediately, distributing non-food items packs, baby kits and other essential items. In addition, four Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) were set up in the safe camps for children to have a place of safety, but also help them regain a sense of normalcy.

The response is now progressed to the recovery phase, helping families rebuild their lives. The recovery phase will focus on rebuilding water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, supporting the reconstruction of damaged houses, helping children go back to school, and rehabilitating livelihoods for the families. There will also be a special focus on helping communities become more disaster-ready and resilient for the future.