The districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Puttalam and Kegalle were badly affected by the floods and landslides that occurred last week. During this extended catastrophe and in its aftermath, FPA Sri Lanka together with the IPPF Sprint Initiative delivered practical solutions, with our main focus being on girls and women by sending out mobile medical teams, preparation and distribution of dignity kits, procuring essential medicines and supporting the evacuation to camp sites to reduce Gender Based Violence.

SPRINT was designed to address gaps in the implementation of The Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Reproductive Health which is a set of priority activities to be implemented at the onset of an emergency and in this case internally displaced persons.

The SPRINT Initiative is all about ensuring access to essential life-saving SRH services at a time when services are most needed, yet are sometimes not prioritised or recognised by key humanitarian responders. FPA Sri Lanka also supported the conducting of the national assessment inclusive of SRH and related needs in partnership with the World Food Programme, SLRC and the DMC. 

Dignity kits were distributed to women affected in Kotikawatte and Angoda, Bulathkohupitiya, Rasnayakapura, Kobeigane belonging to the Kurunegala District and Katana and Seeduwa areas belonging to the Gampaha district. This was done with support from the Red Cross, Police, Divisional Secretariats and the MOH. The Hon. Minister of City Planning and Water Supply,Dr. Mrs.Sudarshani Fernandopulle also participated in the distribution process held in the Gampaha district. 

Mobile medical camps were conducted at Viyawardana MahaVidyala, Wellampitiya in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) on 20th May, at Kollonnawa Balika Vidyalaya and Maternity Home, on the 21st of May and at Siddharta Maha Vidyalaya, Sedawatte on the 25th of May. All these clinics were supported by nursing staff and medical supplies inclusive of drugs were received from the Ministry of Health. Patients were treated mainly for skin ailments, respiratory complications, wounds, body pains and menstrual issues.

Our activities were supported by the Sprint Project funded by DFAT of Australian Government. For more information please contact Mr Rangika Wickramage, Senior Manager Public Affairs & Advocacy & Sprint Project Emergency Project Co-ordinator. .