NGOs help build homes for cyclone victims

Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka (HFHSL) has partnered with Alwaleed Philanthropies in an initiative to rebuild the lives of families affected by landslides caused by Cyclone Roanu, in May 2016.

Together with the Government of Sri Lanka, District Secretariat of Kegalle and Divisional Secretaries of Aranayake, Yatiyantota and Deraniyagala, 80 families were identified as key beneficiaries for the rebuilding initiative, a HFHSL media release said.

Cyclone Roanu, which hit Sri Lanka early last year, caused severe flooding and land- slides, resulting in more than 200 deaths, and displacing close to 300,000 others. The estimated destruction and damage across Sri Lanka reached 250–280 billion rupees (US$1.7–2 billion) in total, including the loss of homes and livelihoods.

Alwaleed Philanthropies is providing funding to construct 80 houses for victims of the landslides. Globally supporting projects, regardless of gender, race or religion, Alwaleed Philanthropies has supported Habitat for Humanity's work over the past years including the earthquakes in Ecuador, Japan and Nepal and a cyclone in Vanuatu.

A Memorandum of Understanding between HFHSL and District Secretaries of Aranayake and Yatiyantota was signed recently at the Kegalle District Secretariat. Through the Kegalle Housing Project, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka has pledged to construct 40 houses for the victims of landslides in Kalugala, Aranayake, 23 houses in Illukthenna Estate, Deraniyagala followed by the construction of 17 houses in Yatiyantota. The new houses will be stronger and better prepared for future disasters.