One month after tsunami the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) is continuing with its humanitarian assistance to help the nation to recover from the catastrophe of December 26.

Volunteers from all 25 districts continue to provide immediate relief and assistance to the thousands affected by offering first aid and mobile health services, cleaning wells and assisting the displaced in the re-establishment of family links in Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo, Puttalam, Mullativu, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara and Jaffna.

They are also engaged in distributing Non-Food Relief Items (NFRI). In the Southern belt, more than 10,000 affected persons have received NFRI so far. In Mullativu, Kilinochchi, and Batticaloa SLRCS volunteers with the assistance of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are handling distribution, SLRCS said in a statement.

Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers are supported by the ICRC, in International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and many other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in its efforts. Finnish, French and Norwegian Red Cross Societies are currently focusing on the basic health needs of the displaced in Pottuvil, Kalmunai and Trincomalee. The Swiss Red Cross together with SLRCS is distributing food parcels and relief items in displaced centres in Batticaloa, it said.

"The American Red Cross Emergency Response Unit located in Galle is engaged in distributing tents and tarpaulin to displaced persons through SLRCS branches. The Turkish Red Cross Society have distributed health packs to more than 300 families in Matara."

While water sanitation and relief activities in Galle and Hambantota are being carried out by the Netherlands Red Cross volunteers, British Red Cross with SLRCS is also engaged in distributing NFRI in Galle, SLRCS said.