With more areas flooding in and thousands of people getting displaced, here's a quick breakdown of what they urgently need. Drop off points for donations, meanwhile, can be found here. What follows here are some suggestions for what to donate, and where to get help or information.
Cash
In such instances, it's best to donate cash to reliable organizations so that they could make necessary purchases. You can donate online to Sri Lanka Red Cross and they'll take it from there. Check out Sarvodaya as well. Additionaly, there's a Gofundme account too, which's set up in collaboration with Sri Lanka Unites and the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown. The target is to raise AUD 5000.
Cash can sometimes be better because people on the ground can route resources where they're needed. Aranayake, for example, got a lot of coverage but supplies sent there now exceed demand.
Dry Rations
For basic meals. Could include rice, lentils, chickpeas, and any other legumes. Drinkables like packets of tea leaves, coffee, and malted drinks would also help. Include tinned and powdered items. Basically, any non-perishable and easy-to-use goods should do. You can place your donation through the PickMe app like so:
Uber is helping out as well.
Both Uber and PickMe will pick up goods from wherever you are.
Basically everyone is pitching in, from radio stations to TV stations to companies. For a constantly updated list of places to contribute, see our list here: Flood Relief How To Help.
Toiletries & Basic Necessities
Given that the flood victims have lost everything in their homes, they're short of clothes and items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, pampers, and sanitary wear. Consider bundles of these especially as women and toddlers will be in dire need of the latter items. There are many calls for bottled water, so those too. Rubber slippers, towels, bedsheets, and pillows would also be welcomed.
Baby food
Infant milk powder, drinking bottles, baby food, pampers, nappies, and samaposha.
First Aid
Panadols, samahan, siddhalepa, plasters, bandaid, mosquito repellent/ coils.
Emergency Numbers
- 1919 (Government hotline)
- 011-2434251 (Army)
- 011-2445368 (Navy)
- 011-2343970 (Airforce)
- 117 (Disaster Management Ministry)
- 0718365668 (Lt. Ariyarathne – For Boats)
Additional digits:
- 0713527039 or 0332222235 (Gampaha District Secretariat)
- 0773957878 (Kandy)
- 0773957870 (Colombo)
- 032-2265225 or 0773505200 (Puttalam)
For instant updates
The Twitter hashtag to follow for Flood related updates is #FloodSL. You can also follow BBC journalist Azzam Ameen:
Journalist and Academic AmanthaP:
and Dharisha Bastians of the Daily FT:
Just a reminder, if you want to donate, click here 🙂
(Photos of flood affected areas courtesy of the Sri Lankan Air Force)
