The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has handed over emergency supplies valued at US$250,641 to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media to support Sri Lanka’s preparedness for disasters, particularly in meeting the health and protection needs of women and girls.
The supplies were handed over on Sept. 11 at the Family Health Bureau in Colombo, with representatives of the Health Ministry, Disaster Management Centre, UNFPA and the governments of Australia and New Zealand attending the ceremony.
The package includes eight high-performance tents, three of which are equipped with solar-powered lighting, 999 midwifery go-bags, 1,283 maternity kits, 246 elderly kits and 1,659 dignity kits.
According to UNFPA, the tents are intended to provide temporary spaces for maternal and women’s care during emergencies, while the midwifery bags contain medical equipment for Public Health Midwives. The maternity kits contain items for safe delivery and newborn care, while the elderly and dignity kits are intended to address hygiene, mobility and menstrual-health needs.
The supplies will be pre-positioned in districts considered vulnerable to disasters under the leadership of the Ministry of Health. The stated aim is to allow frontline responders to access the supplies quickly during emergencies, when damaged roads and other disruptions could delay deliveries.
Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the initiative would strengthen the health sector’s preparedness for disasters and help maintain maternal and child health and protection services during emergencies.
New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine said his country’s support was aimed at helping Sri Lanka strengthen disaster resilience, while Australian Deputy High Commissioner Ruth Baird said the assistance would support disaster preparedness and response systems.
UNFPA Representative a.i. in Sri Lanka Phuntsho Wangyel said the supplies were intended to ensure that sexual and reproductive health services and protection measures for women and girls could continue during emergencies.
UNFPA said the initiative was supported by the governments of Australia and New Zealand and forms part of its efforts to support Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response capacity. (Newswire)