U.N. to call for aid to help Sri Lanka flood victims

(January 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The United Nations will appeal for emergency flood aid for Sri Lanka, where 32 people have died, hundreds of thousands are homeless and vast rice fields ready to be harvested are now under water.

Flooding in the rice fields has disrupted livelihoods of many in the eastern region hardest hit after the heavy rains. The U.N. will issue an appeal in the coming days for money to help replant the fields and compensate people affected, U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Neil Buhne said in a statement late Friday.

“I urge donors to generously support priority needs such as mosquito nets, clean water and food,” he said. U.S. Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis said Saturday that America is providing Sri Lanka $300,000 worth of flood assistance. The U.S. had given boats to evacuate those marooned and donated bottled water, cooking material and tarpaulin, the embassy said in a statement.