Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry Launches Emergency Relief in Sri Lanka Flood and Landslide-Hit Areas

Livelihood Support for Displaced Residents in Shelters
Centered in the Badulla Region

Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry is visiting isolated villages in Sri Lanka, explaining how to use generators and manage the safety of pregnant women and children. Korea Food for the Hungry

Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry (President Choi Changnam) announced on December 4 that it is conducting emergency relief activities in the Badulla region of Sri Lanka's central highlands, which was recently hit by large-scale floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

Since November 25, Sri Lanka has experienced continuous torrential rains, with the damage spreading rapidly, especially in the Badulla area. Within two days of the heavy rains, flood warnings were issued and some areas lost communications due to landslides, causing severe damage to the entire community. In response, Korea Food for the Hungry immediately activated its emergency response system on November 28 and dispatched a relief team to the site as soon as the situation worsened.

As the damage from the heavy rainfall continues to spread, Korea Food for the Hungry is carrying out emergency relief in three phases for displaced households and vulnerable groups in the Badulla region, including 1,481 households in Soranathota: (1) initial emergency response, (2) livelihood support for displaced families, and (3) early return and recovery assistance. In the initial response phase, the organization prioritized the distribution of food and water packages, provided chainsaws to secure access routes, and supplied fuel for heavy equipment to remove landslide debris.

In addition, the organization plans to provide communal items such as generators and solar lamps, as well as essential household goods including clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. To improve shelter conditions, child-friendly programs will be implemented to support the movement of vulnerable groups. In the long term, Korea Food for the Hungry will promote early recovery activities based on community participation, actively supporting the removal of earth and sand, restoration of drainage and walkways, and repair of educational facilities to help the community return to normal life.

The on-site emergency relief efforts will be led by Lee Jihyung, Head of the Sri Lanka Branch, with local staff working in collaboration with administrative agencies and community leaders to select beneficiaries and oversee the relief process.

Choi Changnam, President of Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry, stated, "Many families have lost their homes and are facing hardship due to the sudden torrential rains and landslides. We will spare no effort in providing all necessary emergency support, starting with the most urgent needs, to help Sri Lankan residents overcome this disaster and return safely to their daily lives as soon as possible."

Donations for emergency relief in response to the recent heavy rain disaster in Sri Lanka can be made through the Hope Friends Korea Food for the Hungry website. The funds raised will be used for (1) urgent survival support, (2) improving safe shelter environments, and (3) early recovery and reconstruction activities.