US embassy cable - 03COLOMBO855

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000855 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS ALSO TO AID AND OFDA; SECDEF FOR DSCA/AP 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID, PREL, PGOV, MARR, CE 
SUBJECT:  Sri Lanka Flooding: Need For Humanitarian 
Assistance 
 
 
1.  Devastation from one of Sri Lanka's worst ever flood 
crises continues.  Nearly 250 people are feared dead and 
another 1000 are missing.  As many as 600,000 people are 
homeless as heavy rains continue in affected areas of five 
districts.  The government of Sri Lanka has appealed to the 
international community through the United Nations for 
assistance in providing relief.  Meanwhile, the brunt of the 
relief efforts are being carried out by the Sri Lankan 
military.  Navy boats and Air Force helicopters, and medical 
and rescue teams from all three services are working around 
the clock to provide emergency assistance. 
 
2.  Request Department of Defense and Defense Security 
Cooperation Agency assistance in providing Humanitarian 
Assistance through the Sri Lankan military during this 
crisis.  The following items are urgently required by Sri 
Lanka to meet the basic needs of the victims of this natural 
disaster: 
-- Tents 
-- blankets 
-- power generators 
-- light  sets 
-- ponchos 
-- sand bags and/or barrier material 
-- water purification equipment 
-- food items (MREs) 
-- medical and dental supplies and/or equipment 
-- pioneer tools 
-- rubber rafts or small boats 
-- sleeping cots 
-- clothing items 
-- plastic sheeting. 
 
3.  Point of contact within US Embassy Colombo is LTC Rich 
Girven  Tel: 94-1-448007 ext 2442, email DATT@itmin.com. 
 
WILLS