Weeks of monsoonal flooding have pounded communities throughout Ampara District in the east of Sri Lanka, leaving thousands homeless.

While the monsoon rains continue to lash, the Government and several NGOs including World Vision have taken measures to assist affected families.

"The greatest need right now is to provide dry rations for the affected families," said A. L. M. Azmi, the Additional Divisional Secretary of Potthuvil.

World Vision has now taken the lead in responding in the Pottuvil area of Ampara District where the presence of humanitarian agencies was reported to be minimal.

Last Wednesday, World Vision commenced relief efforts with the distribution of 1,400 cooked meal packs to flood affected families in Ullai, Potthuvil.

This was followed by a distribution of packs containing four days' worth of dry rations to 880 families. Another 450 families were expected to benefit from a further distribution this week.

Reports say that nearly 13,000 families in the Pottuvil and Thirukkovil Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected by floodwaters. Many roads are reported underwater.

"I and my four children have not been home for eight days now. My husband is away and the dry rations mean a lot to me," said Pathima who is currently taking shelter in the local primary school. Her house is still three-feet under water.

"We are focusing on the nine worst affected villages in the area," said Alex Benjamin, Potthuvil ADP Manager, "We also plan to assist the families with livelihood recovery activities and assist the government in reconstructing the culverts and roads destroyed in the floods."

It is reported that nearly 2,900 of 3,009 World Vision sponsored children in the Potthuvil ADP have been affected by the floods. Many houses, roads and culverts have been damaged in the area, and four villages still remain inaccessible.

Damage has also been reported to World Vision projects, with home gardening cooperatives destroyed and a child-friendly centre forced to close due to structural damage.

"Persistent rains during the last two weeks have forced many to abandon their livelihoods," explained Benjamin, who has been overseeing damage assessment in the Potthuvil programme area. "With most of the paddy fields and chena (vegetable fields) cultivations ruined by floods, most labourers who depend on daily wages are faced with a dire economic crisis."

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