FAIRMED's projects in Jaffna and Kilinochchi have also been affected by the disaster. At the request of the government, our team on the ground provided the population with urgently needed relief supplies within a few hours, including 600 tarpaulins, 800 mats, 400 sleeping mats, 300 bed sheets, 500 food parcels, 500 candles, mosquito repellent, and disinfectant.
Healthcare system under pressure
According to the United Nations, the country's already weak healthcare system is under severe pressure, with numerous hospitals in several districts flooded. Authorities are also warning of an impending food crisis: flooded fields, destroyed storage facilities, and disrupted supply chains could lead to supply shortages and rising prices in the coming weeks.
The extent of the disaster
More than 200 roads were temporarily blocked in the country, at least ten bridges were damaged, and parts of the railway network were and remain unusable. According to reports, around a third of the population was without access to electricity and clean water. In many districts, entire villages were cut off from the outside world.