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Flooded home in Mannar district - Sri Lanka. Photo: OxfamAus

Flooding in Sri Lanka

The situation

Heavy rains in late December 2012 caused extensive flooding in Sri Lanka’s north and east. At the height of the floods, more than 300,000 people were affected, with damage to homes, schools, roads and agricultural land. Those who were able to navigate the floodwaters fled to one of 181 temporary evacuation centres set up in schools and community centres  which were set up by the government. However two thirds of the people were unable to reach these centres and remained stranded by floodwaters for several weeks, with significant impacts on their homes and livelihoods.

The worst affected district in the north was Mannar district, home to many families who have resettled there after the end of the war, and who are still living in precarious conditions.  Killinochchi and Mulliathivu districts were also affected.

What Oxfam in doing

Oxfam is responding to the needs of 1000 families in Mannar, Killinochchi and Mulliathivu districts by providing clean water, soap, tarpaulins, groundsheets and mosquito nets, as well as supporting families to clean their wells which were filled with debris by the floodwaters.

As the rains are expected to continue until late February, Oxfam is also on standby to provide further assistance if required.

How you can help

You can help by making a donation to our International Crisis Fund today.