UNHCR assists Trincomalee needy through SLRC

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 May 2003, 01:57 GMT]
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) through the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) in the Trincomalee district is providing free spectacles and other medical assistance to help the poor, said the officer in charge of the UNHCR in Trincomalee, Ms Rocelle Brown, when addressing an event in connection the World Red Cross Day.

Free spectacles to more than ninety men and women selected from poor families were distributed at the event. Trincomalee branch development officer of the SLRC Mr.P.Manniwannan presided. Sri Lanka Red Cross, Trincomalee branch treasurer Mr.S.Jeyashankar and SLRC branch senior programme co-ordinating officer Mr.T.Subashkar also participated in the event, sources said.

The Trincomalee district branch of the SLRC Thursday organized several activities in the district including remote villages within areas under control of the Liberation Tigers, sources said.

A group of eye cataract patients selected from the resettled families in Kappalthurai, Salli, Sambaltivu and other remote villages in this district were taken to Kandy Eye Hospital for operation by the SLRC volunteers in a private bus as a part of the World Red Cross Day celebrations.



UNHCR representative in Trincomalee Ms Rocelle Brown addressing the free distribution of spectacles event Thursday at Trincomalee Social Service center. (L-R) Senior programme coordinating officer of the SLRC in Trincomalee Mr.T.Subashkar, SLRC branch development officer Mr.P.Manivannan and SLRC Trincomalee branch Treasurer Mr.S.Jayashankar



In addition, a blood donation campaign was held at the Trincomalee general hospital. Eye and Medical clinics were held at Eachilampathu and Seruvila division. First aid boxes were distributed to schools in Muttur and Eachilampathu, SLRC sources said.

Senior programme co-ordinating officer of the SLRC in Trincomalee Mr.Subashkar said that the SLRC with financial assistance from UNHCR has undertaken several development and humanitarian projects in the district. These include water and sanitation services, cataract programme, mobile health services and HIV aids prevention programme provided at an estimated cost of 11.5 million rupees funded by the UNHCR.