Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Uplifting the Vulnerable When There Was Nowhere to Turn

In March 2023, 21-years-old Ahamad arrived in Sri Lanka, not with neatly packed belongings, but with hurriedly gathered possessions and a heart burdened by fear, displacement, and vulnerability. A native of Pakistan, Ahamad was a well-educated young man with a promising future as a website developer. However, being a member of a minority Muslim community placed his life under constant threat. With no other choice, he made the most difficult decision of his life to flee his homeland in search of safety.

Sri Lanka, though unfamiliar, offered him the promise of peace but not without its own set of challenges. Settling in Negombo, Ahamad soon discovered that the struggle for daily survival had only just begun. Without the legal right to work and with limited avenues for support, even the most basic necessities food, shelter, and utilities became daily obstacles.

“It costs around Rs. 50,000 a month to survive here,” he shared, his eyes drifting downward, heavy with uncertainty. “Without the ability to earn, every day is a test.”

The hardships continued to mount. In early 2024, the heavy inter-monsoon rains caused flash floods to many areas, including Negombo. Vulnerable communities were hit hard, and Ahamad, already living in a fragile situation, found himself once again in deep turmoil.

At this critical moment, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), with the support of the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), stepped in to provide relief. Through this intervention, SLRCS extended cash assistance of Rs. 20,000 each to 180 refugees, including Ahamad, to help them recover from the impact of the floods.

“The support came just when I needed it the most,” Ahamad said with visible relief. “With that amount, I was able to buy groceries and essentials that helped me manage for two to three weeks. This support meant a lot to me”

Despite the continued challenges of living as a refugee, Ahamad holds on to hope.

“Life in Sri Lanka is not easy,” he admitted. “But what I live in peace. I no longer fear for my life and that, above all else, is the most precious gift I’ve been given.”

Ahamad’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder of how timely humanitarian support can bring dignity, comfort, and hope to those facing unimaginable struggles.