A Sri Lankan expatriate group in Riyadh on Wednesday sent by airfreight 3.2 tons of relief materials to the victims of the recent floods and landslides that has left more than 100 people dead and left 425,601 people from 103,776 families badly affected in their country.
The number of missing people due to the disaster stood at 109 and 30 people were reported injured.
On Tuesday, Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP), headed by Prince Alwaleed, announced the donation of US$1 million to provide support to those affected by the recent floods and landslides that have caused devastation in some parts of Sri Lanka. 
AP’s funds will be used to provide vital relief to victims of the disaster, through the foundation’s partnerships with the UN World Food Programme, Habitat for Humanity and International Medical Corps. 
Speaking to Arab News after sending the consignment, young group leader Hisham Hassan said the members of the community contributed magnanimously to help the flood victims. 
“Our target was to send only 500 kgs of relief materials but the unprecedented response from the community helped the consignment swell to such a big load of 3,200 kgs,” he said, thanking all those who helped his mission a tremendous success. He said the collection comprising foodstuffs, dry rations and new clothes has been sent to a reputed charity organization in Colombo. 
Lankan worshippers who came out following Friday prayers from a mosque in Malaz donated some SR20,000 from a hat collection in aid of the victims. 
Mohammed Arshard Moinudeen said that he is collecting abayas for Muslim women who were affected by the floods. “There is a huge response from philanthropists who voluntarily came forward to donate these garments,” he noted, adding that the preferred size of the cloth should be between 52 to 58.
Saboor Adam from the Eastern province said that his group has already sent a cargo to Colombo in aid of these victims and he is getting ready with another consignment with the help of the community members. The group in Jubail is busy collecting garments and foodstuffs.
In Jeddah, a Lankan group has been collecting ready-made garments, bedsheets and towers from its community members in Jeddah, Taif and Makkah. Mohammed Rifan said the collections will be sent to the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) branch in Colombo for distribution. 
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan missions in the Kingdom and community groups from all parts of the Kingdom are engaged in collecting donations in kind and cash to help the disaster victims in the island. 
“The Government of Sri Lanka is encouraging monetary assistance — rather than collected material — for the victims, especially from overseas Sri Lankans, to enable faster relief assistance, as it is more economical to purchase relief supplies locally, Sri Lankan Ambassador Azmi Thassim told Arab News here. 
Sri Lankan expatriates and well-wishers in the Kingdom can contribute to the National Flood and Landslide Victims Relief Operations through the embassy in Riyadh or its consulate in Jeddah which will be acknowledged by an official receipt. 
Acting Consul General in Jeddah, M.S.M, Ansar said the two missions will accept cash, cheques or bank drafts drawn in favor of either of the missions for this purpose or they can send it to their designated bank accounts in the Kingdom.

Source: Arab News