Fed: Red Cross launches appeal for victims of Sri Lankan cyclone

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2000
Fed: Red Cross launches appeal for victims of Sri Lankan cyclone

The Red Cross is appealing for Australians to dig deep to help the victims of the recent
cyclone in Sri Lanka.

The cyclone -- which hit Sri Lanka on December 26 -- has left at least three people
dead and about 35,000 homeless.

It brought 48 hours of heavy rain and powerful winds, affecting people on the country's
east coast between Trincomalee and Tirukkovil and between Mannar and Puttalam on the west
coast.

The Red Cross has launched the appeal for $610,000 to assist 10,000 people with shelter,
kitchen utensils, clothing and blankets.

The Sri Lankan Red Cross has already launched an operation with 4,000 volunteers.

The International Federation of Red Cross released $120,000 from its Disaster Relief
Emergency Fund to start the operation within hours of the cyclone.

It's now working with the Sri Lankan Red Cross to assess the most urgent needs.

AAP RTV eg/jtb/jx

KEYWORD: SRI LANKA CYCLONE AID (CANBERRA)

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