HELPAGE SRI LANKA THROWS LIFE-LINE TO SENIOR CITIZENS IN DOWN SOUTH
To overcome ill effects of COVID - 19 pandemic
Amassive Emergency Response Project aimed at over 1000 underprivileged elderly citizens affected by the COVID - 19 pandemic situation in Galle and Matara districts was launched by Helpage Sri Lanka (HASL) in collaboration with Helpage International, UK.
Accordingly, Helpage distributed a large stock of food and non food items worth over Rs. two million to needy elders living at Weligama, Gintota , Polwatta, Kotawila, Udupila, Mirissa, Gurubewila, Palana, Midigama and several other areas in these two districts.
This project benefited around 4000 family members living with the elders.
The items distributed were rice, dhal, sugar, milk powder, canned fish, toothpaste, soap and much needed face masks. The distribution was co-ordinated by Helpage Sri Lanka Chairman, Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa and Helpage International, Asia-pacific, Head of Programme Bert Mareten.
Helpage Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge highlighted the importance of sharing dry rations and safety equipment with underprivileged senior citizens at this crucial juncture where their daily income had declined due to the pandemic situation. He said such assistance will be given in other districts too in the coming months.
HASL Programme Manager Chaminda de Silva said Helpage also had planned another programme to provide agricultural equipment to needy senior citizens shortly.
The project was implemented with the assistance of Weligama Senior Citizens Federation President Jayasinghe Siriwardana, the Helpage staff and also the members of Senior Citizens Committees in the respective areas.