by Dilanthi Jayamanne
Around 1,300 families from the drought stricken villages of Hambantota received drought- relief on Friday. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society(SLRS) donated dry rations worth Rs. 5 million to the drought victims from Angunakolawewa, Padavgama, Bogahawewa, Devramwehera, Ranawarnawa, Ilukpelessa, Unathuwewa and Udamattala, of the Lunugamwehera division.

The villages were given 25 kg of rice, 20 kg of flower, 4 kg of sugar and 10 kg of dhal.

Addressing the villages gathered at the Padavgama School, Gamini Pinnalawatte, Director Development of the SLRCS said that there were another 5,200 more families to receive drought relief. "The SLRCS aims to assist those who are most distressed by the on going drought."

"The drought relief for the people of Hambantota will continue for the next few months, for even if it does rain, it would be some time before the families are able to get back on their feet," the Director Development.

According to the Government Agent of Hambantota, A. Amaratunge nearly 32,000 families from Lunugamwehera, Sooriyawewa, Tissamaharama and Hambantota have been most- affected by the drought.

Most of the people belonging to the villages of Hambantota are farmers who have lost about two to three crops from their paddy and chena cultivation’s due to the delayed rains.

According to some of the farmers of Angunakolawewa the area has not had adequate rain for the last two years during the seasons of ‘yala’ a.nd ‘maha,’ which has deprived them of their regular income

The SLRCS conducted an assessment survey to identify the most severely affected families. The assessment which was carried out by trained disaster prepared volunteers of the Red Cross was completed in August.

The Information Officer of SLRCS, Thushari Samarawikrama said that the families of Sooriyawewa, Hambantota and Tissamaharama too will receive the same supplementary food support during the second phase of the relief distribution. It would commence during the first week of September, she added.

Minister of Fisheries, Mahinda Rajapakse who made the first few distributions to the most needy families chosen by the SLRCS volunteers said that his ministry had called upon several voluntary organisations to provide relief for the drought victims. "The government will provide dry rations worth Rs. 1,200 to families affected by the prevailing drought in Hambantota during the next six months.

He requested the Hambantota population to chant the ‘wasi piritha,’ on September 5.