SRI LANKA RED CROSS SOCIETY

The branch Community Based Disaster Management project conducted a series of programs for school children educating and preparing them on possible future disasters. The knowledge they gain through these programs will help them and their families and their neighboring communities to minimize the impact of a disaster or taking precautionary actions to prevent or mitigate the impact of disasters.

30 students participated in the program conducted at the Pandiruppu Vidyalayam in Pandiruppu on 4th of this month. Danish RC helps the branch conducting these programs.

The branch has identified some schools in Maruthamunai division that do not have proper water facilities for their children. As a solution to this problem, the branche donated one water tank to one of those schools and monitered the usefulness of having such facility. Children properly use the facility motivating the branch staff to donate a second tank for the benefit of another school in the area this month.

30 students from Shums Central College in Maruthamaunai who successfully completed the school First Aid training program were awarded with certificates at a function held on 9^th.

To disseminate the Red Cross Blood Donation program and recruit more donors for future blood donation camps, two programs were held in Sammanthurai and Kekirhena areas on 7^th and 21^st of this month respectively. Nearly 133 persons showed their willingness to donate blood in the future. Hony. Branch Chairman Sunil Dissanayake participated to the program encouraging the future donors.

With the funding support of Danish RC, branch Disaster Management Project built 83 meter long fence covering a part of the boundary of Tharangawa Janaraja Vidyalaya in Ampara. At present estimate is being prepaired to extend the fence covering another 94 meters.

To improve the sanitation facilities in schools branch has completed building of 9 latrines in 3 schools, Uhana Maha Vidyalaya, Hegoda Sri Indrasara Maha Vidyalalya and Udayapura Vidyalaya in Ampara during the month. This is another event of school based disaster management programs conducted by branch with the financial support of Danish RC.

First Aid for Life: The Red Cross has identified the worth of giving first aid training for taxi drivers and cops because they are the people who are working in the busiest places in the towns from morning to late evening. The program "First Aid for Life" trained 30 drivers who are on duty in Sammanthurai area at the training program conducted on 17^th of this month.

The branch First Aid Team provided their service at a tree planting campaign organized to celebrate National Tree Planting Day on 15^th of this month. 600 school children involved in several activities at the camp field on Aranthalawa Maha Oya grass land and 10 first aid volunteers were engage in providing first aid.

A program organized for the community living in Kalmunai and Mahaoya area made them aware of Red Cross Blood Donation program and recruited more blood donors for future blood donation camps. 78 came forward and expressed willingness to donate blood to save the life of unknown people who need blood. The Hony. Branch Chairman Mr. Sunil Dissanayake also participated to the program held on 23^rd.

The branch Community Based Health project organized a agriculture training program for the volunteers attached to their project from Kalmuanai area. The program started on 13^th and 30 volunteers got benefited. They also had the opportunity of visiting the Santhrakondan agriculture farm which helps them to realize the applications of their learning's.

The Kamunai Community Based Health volunteers participated for the "Life Skill Development" two day program conducted by the branch. 30 participated the program started on 06^th and it was conducted by the branch CBH project.

Construction of the new branch building: Construction of the branch building is in progress. The present view of the construction is visualized in the images bellow. The warehouse of the branch is also under construction adjacent to the new branch building.

Save lives of animals in Kumana Santuary: Supplying water for the wild animals effected by preveiling doought is continuing for this month too to save the lives of wild animals.

First Aid traing for JRC members: Three first aid training programs were concluded for the Junior Red Cross members during this month. These trained JRC members will be useful for their schools when first aid is needed.

School Nutritional Program: Branch has conducted several school educational programs to students to improve their health practices and nutritional condition. The program organized this time was for make them aware about the balanced nutritional meal. 65 school children studied in Hegoda Indrasara Vidyalaya involved in this program held on 8^th of this month.

Unit Meeting: Strengthening the membership and planning activities at divisional level a unit meeting was held for the members of Kolavil unit in Alayadivembu division on 5^th. The work plan under the branch Early Warning Project was discussed at this meeting for which 25 members of the unit were summoned.

Community awarness program: Branch regularly organises awareness programs for the vulnerable communities to educate them to keep them prepared to face for the disasters which they may face in the future. The program organized in the Maruthamunai division was focus on the Disaster Management Awareness and it was conducted from 11^th to 18^th. 500 community members participated.

On 25^th a awarness program focussing on dengue control was held for 150 people living in the Ampara area.

Water Distribution to Wild Life Sanctuary, Kumana: The branch involved in providing water to save the life of wild animals live in Kumana sanctuary where all water sources used by wild animals completely dried, and there are no ways and means of water for drinking since June 2009. Read more..

The first aid team of the branch including 55 volunteers conducted a first aid camp at Okanda for the benefit of devotees who return to their homes after worshiping Kataragama Sacred place. About 1200 were treated betwenn 22^nd of July to 06^th of this month.

First Aid trining for JRC members: A series of two day first aid programs were conducted for the Junior Red Cross Circle members with the support of branch health project.

Health awarness program for JRC members: 75 school children from Shums Central College in Maruthamunai attended to an educational program on good health practices. These children are the members of the college Junior Red Cross Circle and they benefited from the program funded by Danish RC supported Disaster Management project.

Distribution of shcool uniforms: The branch has built strong links with the district schools through the school based Red Cross committees like "Kakulu samajaya" and Junior Red Cross circles. To strengthening this relationship and help district school children the branch distributed school uniforms among 170 selected school children at a function held on 17^th.

Shramadana campaign held on 1^st: A shramadana campaign was held a preschool premises in Kumana to clean and make school premises a safe place for its children. 35 parents, branch staff and volunteers worked throughout the day to make this program a success.

Donate Blood and Save a Life: Branch was able to identify 60 persons who are willing to donate blood to save another valuable life, at a blood donor recruitment program held on 07^th. Most out of the 60 are the youth.

To disseminate the Red Cross message and improving youth support for the Red Cross activities branch donated sports items among the selected sports clubs. 8 sports clubs in Kalmunai area received sports items this time at a function organized on 15^th.

The branch conducted the dissemination programme on branch activities for the community members in Pathiyathalawa on 25^th and 26^th of this month. 27 community members participated in this two day program.

Hundreds of Hindu pilgrims were given first aid services at Okanda in Ampara District where they gathered prior to begin their foot march to Kataragama sacred area through Yala Forest. They make this pilgraimage of over hundred kilometers annually to offer their respect to the "God Skanda"

Branch first aid team supported more than 1200 people providing first aid services and 55 volunteers with first aid branch staff devoted their time to make this assignment a success.

The following training and dissemination programs were conducted by the branch during the month.