LEADS helps in COVID-19 efforts to combat pandemic

LEADS, an NGO which works on childrens’ issues recognising the great need at quarantine centres across Sri Lanka, has responded to requests for help from the administration of quarantine centres in Kandakadu, Ampara and Palamunai.

LEADS was successful in raising support with the help of the public in providing for the urgent requirements at the Kandakadu Quarantine Centre.

The military personnel at the Kandakadu Quarantine Centre faced a unique situation as elephants approaching the site posed a safety threat to the centre. In response to this need, LEADS provided LED searchlights to keep the elephants at bay along with other essential needs such as water pumps, water boilers, ceiling fans and a 1000 litre water tank for the use of the centre, it said in a media release.

As its main course of intervention, LEADS also supports the needs arising in hospitals and is currently raising support with the help of the public and its support network for the medical and psychosocial needs of three centres in Ampara, under the directives of the Ampara Regional Director of Health. Thus far, LEADS has also provided medical equipment such as wheelchairs and hygiene packs worth Rs.150,000 to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kilinochchi.

Ap a r t from these interventions, LEADS is also raising support for medical needs, including high- flow nasal oxygen machines for the use of hospitals as well as PPE and hygiene packs for Divisional Secretariats and local authorities. LEADS will also provide dry rations for 435 families and 200 religious institutions t h at a re economically affected by the spread of the pandemic and the periods of travel restriction. Assistance in the form of dry rations and psychosocial care will also be distributed among Child Development Centres in the Western Province as well as centres in the Badulla and Monaragala Districts.