Strength in Solidarity: Altru Circle’s Dry Ration Initiative with A-PAD Sri Lanka
Heavy rains of the southwest monsoon season this year triggered floods within a short span of time, leaving many people affected and displaced from their homes. Identifying the urgent need for flood relief efforts, Altru Circle, an upcoming social enterprise, raised donations to provide dry ration packs for families affected by floods. A-PAD supported the cause by providing them the standardized list of items to be included in a ration pack as approved by the National Disaster Relief Centre (NDRSC).
Teaming up with A-PAD Sri Lanka, Altru Circle initiated the distribution of the dry ration packs to those in need. As A-PAD has a wide network of members across the country, it was able to support the initiative by helping Altru Circle identify the most vulnerable families in need of assistance to recover to normalcy.
Phase 01 – Little Rose Montessori, Wellampitiya
The initial set of ration packs was directed to Little Rose Montessori, a preschool of 45 children coming from low-income households and whose homes get inundated with floods every year. Founder of Altru Circle, Jessica Fernando and Co-founder, Mahesh Dharmadasa handed over the packs for the children and teachers of the preschool on the 8th of July and A-PAD staff, including the Country Director, Mr. Firzan Hashim was also present at the event. The teacher in-charge, Ms. Shalika Sajeewani Perera expressed her gratitude and emphasized how the supply of ration packs can encourage parents to send their children to school and fulfill their nutritional needs.
Phase 02 – Ananda Primary School, Yabaraluwa, Biyagama
The second and third phases of the project were directed to Biyagama, another area prone to floods annually. Ms. Kishikawa, the Program Coordinator from A-PAD Management Office, also joined A-PAD staff and representatives from Altru Circle for the distribution on the 15th of July 2024.
As the second phase of the distribution, ration packs were handed over to the students and teachers in Ananda Primary School belonging to Yabaraluwa South GN Division in Biyagama. The principal of the school, Mr. K.A.Perera expressed his heartfelt thanks to Altru Circle and A-PAD Sri Lanka for the support and expressed how ration packs are immensely helpful in supporting the families of the students.
Phase 03- Grama Niladhari Division, Yabaraluwa North
For the next phase, ration packs were distributed among pregnant mothers in the Yabaraluwa North GN division in Biyagama. The locality is one of the most flood-prone areas in the Biyagama District Secretariat division. During the last flood event, approximately 300 families out of 593 families were affected.
The Grama Niladhari in-charge of the Yabalauwa North and Yabalauwa South conveyed her sincerest appreciation towards the cause. During a discussion with Ms. Kishikawa further explained how the two GN divisions have the highest poverty levels in the Biyagama DS Divisions and the localities are consistently affected by floods every year, pushing families to the brink of vulnerability every time they try to recover.
A-PAD extends its heartfelt appreciation to Altru Circle for their dedicated efforts and steadfast commitment to meeting the fundamental needs of flood-affected individuals. Such collaborations enable A-PAD to enhance the efficacy of its disaster response initiatives. Since its establishment, A-PAD has earned a reputation as a trusted platform, bridging donors and recipients to foster community resilience and solidarity.
