The Coronavirus situation in Sri Lanka is reported as being ‘under control for now’, with little over one hundred reported cases and no deaths so far. However, the measures taken to control the spreading of the virus – including strict curfews – have caused immense hardships to the general public. As usual, people living on minimum earnings are facing the greatest difficulties as they are unable to meet their basic needs, to buy medicine or to feed their children.
Ravinda Herath, Senior Manager, at ICMIF member SANASA General Insurance says: “As a cooperative, SANASA puts people first and we are therefore extending our support to focus on the people in the direst of needs.
“SANASA Insurance will be implementing an urgent million-dollar (USD) relief programme to support this most vulnerable section of the community to help them to survive the crisis.”
There will be two stages in this programme:
- Feeding the most vulnerable: Supplying daily essential consumer items to peoples’ doorsteps, implemented with the support of a thousand SANASA primary societies which will take the responsibility as local food distributors. This programme will ensure rural families have enough to eat to survive.
- Encouraging families to become self-sufficient: Educating people about home gardening and re-cultivating the abundant paddy lands.
This programme is fully implemented and managed by the Sanasa Insurance with the approvals of local authorities pertinent to manage this situation in Sri Lanka.
