Sunday Times 2
HelpAge gives food and disabled items to Ditwah victims
View(s):HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) recently distributed over 1,100 non-food and food item packets and disabled equipment for families with senior citizens who were affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The donations were funded by the Global Emergency Fund (GEF) from HelpAge International (HAI), UK, on a request made by HASL Chairman Deshabandu Tilak de Zoysa.
HASL's Harsha Bandara distributing food parcels.
Cyclone-affected families in Gangawatakorale and Gampola DS divisions in Kandy District Hanguranketha and Walapane DS divisions in Nuwaraeliya District, Ambangangakorale and Rattota DS divisions in Matale District, Bandarawela and Meegahakivula DS divisions in Badulla District, Kothmale DS division in NuwaraEliya District received food items including essential dry rations, drinking water and non-food items such as hygiene kits, adult diapers and bed pans worth over Rs 15 million.
HASL Executive Director Dr Harsha Bandara said HelpAge Sri Lanka has been one of the main institutions that responded quickly for distribution of items to affected people in the past too.
HelpAge also distributed mobility items to the disabled including wheelchairs, commode chairs, walkers, walking sticks and hearing aids for senior citizens.
HASL Head of Programme Chaminda De Silva said similar donations will be carried out by HelpAge within the next few weeks in other areas of the country where senior citizens were affected due to the cyclone.
Donations were made under the supervision of Divisional Secretariats in the respective areas.