Japan Provides Emergency Supplies to Disaster Victims in Sri Lanka

On 7 December, H.E. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan, handed over emergency relief goods to Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary to Ministry of Defence. The items provided are to reach the victims affected by the recent floods and landslides caused by the heavy rainfall in many parts of the island. The hand-over ceremony, which was held this evening at Bandaranaike International Airport, was also attended by Major General Udaya Herath, Director General of Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka and Mr. Tetsuya YAMADA, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka Office. The items donated include 230 tents, 1,300 sleeping pads and 30 rolls of tarpaulin sheets.

In his remarks, Ambassador ISOMATA conveyed his deepest condolences and sympathy to those affected and stressed Japan’s unwavering commitment to standing by Sri Lanka and its people when it is most needed.
 
In addition to this latest round of emergency assistance, Japan has distributed urgent life-saving kits to affected women in the Northern and Eastern Provinces through a UNFPA project funded by the Japanese government. JICA also joined hands during this ongoing disaster situation by distributing hygiene goods and essential medicines to the Manner District in the Northern Province.

Japan continues to watch the situation closely and communicate with the Sri Lankan government to ensure effective assistance to the needy population along with our long-term commitment to helping Sri Lanka improve its disaster response and risk reduction capabilities.