Plan staff on the ground in worst-hit Sri Lanka

Plan is part of a major disaster-response program in Sri Lanka in the wake of the destructive earthquake and tsunami in Southern Asia. In Sri Lanka, the worst affected country, thousands of people are dead – many of them children. More than one million people have also been left homeless.

Plan's appeal

We have launched an international appeal and are hoping to raise 1.5 million dollars - we've already raised over $500,000. Funds will support both short and long-term emergency relief and rehabilitation, including much needed food, clothing, housing and fresh water. To help, please visit your nearest Plan office website.

Reporting from Sri Lanka

Melbourne-based Plan staff member, Lucy Perera, who was holidaying in southern Sri Lanka near Colombo, reports that despite the tragedy and state of emergency, the community is banding together.

"Despite the relative poverty of most rural Sri Lankans, even the poorest are donating clothing, household goods and food – especially dried fish – to help those in even greater need. It’s all hands on deck, with all leave for government staff and emergency workers cancelled. Even the Girl Guides have been asked to assist with door to door collections," said Perera.

Our emergency response

We work with communities in Hambantota – a Sri Lankan coastal district particularly hard-hit - as part of our South East program unit.

"Immediately following the disaster, Plan Sri Lanka staff attempted to travel to Hambantota to assess the situation on the ground. Due to the destruction of telecommunications in the area, no information on the situation of the children, families and communities Plan works with is available yet," said Michael Diamond, Plan's Regional Director for Asia. An update will be issued as soon as this information is provided.

Plan Sri Lanka is a permanent member of the National Disaster Coordinating Committee, and also of the local emergency committee in Hambantota. Plan Australia has also offered to send staff to Sri Lanka to assist in Plan's emergency efforts.

In India, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh, the communities where Plan operates were not damaged. However, we have joined with other agencies and governments to assess relief needs, and will support the disaster response where required.

Background and contacts

Plan is an international child centred community development organisation working in over 60 countries. Plan has no religious or political affiliation. Child sponsorship is the basic foundation of our work with children around the world. For more information on Plan's work in Sri Lanka visit www.plan-international.org/wherewework/asia/srilanka/.

Media enquiries for more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Christina Georgiou
Media Officer
Plan, International Headquarters
Phone: 00 44 (0) 7985 440 238