The World Health Organization has released US$175,000 in emergency funds to support life-saving health services for people affected by severe flooding and landslides across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka.
The funds will be used to deploy rapid response medical and public health teams to provide trauma care, first aid, referrals for hospital treatment, and support for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Teams will also conduct medical stocktaking, assess health and medicine needs, review water quality, and evaluate sanitation, food safety, and environmental health risks.
As the lead agency for the health sector response, WHO is supporting the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment initiated by national authorities and partners to coordinate a unified, government-led emergency health plan.
The agency said maintaining continuity of essential health services, strengthening surveillance for early detection of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, and mobilizing additional resources remain its top priorities.
Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency following the cyclone that caused widespread destruction nationwide. The government has requested international humanitarian and early recovery assistance, including support for food security, livelihoods, agriculture, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, shelter, and broader recovery and rehabilitation efforts. (Newswire)