By Venessa Anthony
With the economic crisis in Sri Lanka worsening by the day, livelihoods have been hit hard and most don’t even have access to basic needs. According to a report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the crisis in Sri Lanka has impacted 5.7 million people, including 2.3 million children. Vital social services systems, such as healthcare and education, have been stretched to their limits.
In light of these unpredictable times, UNICEF and Rotary International joined hands to deliver lifesaving medicines, clean drinking water, education materials, and other critical supplies to children and families in the country.
UNICEF took it upon themselves to make a global appeal calling for urgent assistance to meet the critical needs of the most vulnerable children and families in Sri Lanka. This particular partnership will depend on Rotary International’s global network along with the alumni of Sri Lanka’s leading schools to raise funds from the Sri Lankan community living overseas.
The partnership – launched recently by UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei and UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Christian Skoog, together with Rotary International Zone Director A. S. Venkatesh and Sri Lanka Rotary District Governor Pubudu De Zoysa – will go on to use the funds to procure essential medicines, medical equipment, water purifiers, and school stationery to support vulnerable communities facing severe shortages across the country.
Speaking at the event was Laryea-Adjei, who highlighted that the partnership is timely and comes at a time when families are struggling to afford regular meals, medicine stocks are depleting rapidly, and schools do not have basic stationery.
“Time is of the essence, and we at UNICEF are honoured to bring relief to the citizens of Sri Lanka and are striving to urgently meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families,” he stated. It was also made known that through this partnership, UNICEF hopes that its combined strengths with Rotary Club will help deliver timely support to the families that need it most.
Commending the UNICEF and Rotary teams in Sri Lanka, Rotary International Zone Director A.S. Venkatesh said: “I was very happy to support the idea of this unique partnership when the Rotary International Board met to discuss this proposal.”
He announced that the Rotary Board wholeheartedly endorse this project and is happy that Rotarians in the country are playing a critical role in supporting Sri Lanka in this time of distress.
Speaking on behalf of Rotary, former Rotary International Global President K.R. Ravindran took the stage to highlight the significance of this historic moment, noting that it lies in the fact that these two organisations have come together to lend their support towards aiding one singular nation in distress. He also stated that since UNICEF and Rotary have a history of collaboration since 1988, especially in the global initiative to eradicate polio across different regions, this collaboration should run smoothly, with the assurance of total accountability and transparency.
Adding to that thought, Ravindran also stated: “Such a union like the one between us and UNICEF mandates absolute credibility, transparency, and accountability for success and both organisations possess these attributes in abundance, thereby giving Sri Lankans living all over the world an opportunity to donate in their respective currencies for life-saving causes; knowing their funds are being put to the best use.”
He also made it known that aside from the funds they collect, well-wishers also have the opportunity to lend a hand by donating via the online platform www.lifelinesrilanka.rotary.unicef.org.au, giving Sri Lanka a breath of fresh air.