Appeal for COVID-19 Food Relief Support in the war affected North and East Provinces of Sri Lanka.

The Corona-virus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused severe hardship to everyone globally.

People in developing countries are facing greater struggles comparatively. In particular the war affected Tamil population in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka are facing the worst challenges for their survival due to the economic downfall, and the nationwide lockdown to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Based on livelihood and income generation, Tamil people in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka can be classified into the following five categories. 1) Civil servants 2) Farmers 3) Fishermen 4) Samurdhi support recipients 5) Daily wage earners During the strictly enforced lockdown (daily curfew) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, the people in the first four categories are still able to manage with their basic needs. However, the daily wage earners are unable to make ends meet. They rely on daily wages for even their basic needs such as their daily meals. Sri Lankan government has not provided any support to this segment of the population. The Tamil population in the North and East of Sri Lanka have higher number of women headed households and people with disabilities due to the war. They also have greater unemployment, poverty and malnourishment, which also makes them more vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result of no means for income and little or no support from government, this segment of the vulnerable population is at the brink of starvation. The strictly enforced hard lockdown and curfew in Sri Lanka is projected to continue for several more weeks and the suffering of these people without their daily income will compound in the coming days. Local NGO’s and community leaders have made urgent appeals to the international community and the Tamil diaspora for support to help save these vulnerable populations through immediate aid. With the International community facing their own challenges in their countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tamil diaspora’s timely support to this vulnerable Tamil population in the North and East of Sri Lanka is very critical even with their own challenges. Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) is initiating a food relief effort for the most vulnerable Tamil population in the North and East of Sri Lanka with the help of credible organizations on the ground. Families in need will be identified with the help of Grama Sevakas and Divisional Secretaries, ensuring accuracy and avoiding any duplication of aid. Each of the identified families will receive a dry rations package valued around Sri Lankan Rupees 1,000 consisting of 5 kg rice, 3 kg flour, 1 kg lentils, 1kg sugar and 2 bars of soap. This basic food package will be sufficient to feed an average family for one week. In order to respond to the immediate need, we are selecting 4 districts in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. With your generosity and aid, we are hoping toextend this support to all remaining eight districts in coming days and weeks. Below we have listed the district and the ground organizations identified do execute this relief effort in the respective districts. These organizations are credible and have the capacity to effectively deliver on this effort. Vavuniya district – North and East Economic Development (NEED) Centre Trincomalee district – Trincomalee District Welfare Association Mullaithivu district – Olirum Valvu Organization Kilinochchi district – Kilinochchi Education Development Trust (KEDT) Your every $7.50 donation will help feed one vulnerable Tamil family for one week. On behalf of the families who are most in need, we are pleading for your generous support. You can donate through one of the following options. 1) Donate online (credit card) through Go Fund Me Page link below. https://www.gofundme.com/f/food-relief-for-vulnerable-population-in-sri-lanka?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet 2) Let us know and we will make arrangements to pick up your donation from your location. 3) Make a cheque payable to Canadian Tamil Congress (with a memo: COVID-19 Food Relief Sri Lanka.) and mail it to: Canadian Tamil Congress 10 Milner Business Court, Suite 513 Toronto, Ontario M1B 3C6 If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact us anytime at: 647-300-1973 or dantont@canadiantamilcongress.ca