Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, as a relief and development agency, has been responding to the major emergency situations in the country for the past 15 years with the collaboration of government and non-government stakeholders.
Muslim Aid Sri Lanka donated Rs.30 million worth of essential medical equipment including ICU ventilators (adult and paediatric), Non-Invasive Ventilators (CPAP/BPAP machines), High flow oxygen machines, Multipara Monitors, Pulse Oxymeters, and Nebulizers to enhance efficiency of wards and intensive care units. PPE kits were also donated to frontline healthcare workers and Covid-19 prevention team members who are involved directly in Covid-19 response operations. This project was supported by the Americares – USA and Muslim Aid’s Head Quarters -UK.
The symbolic handing over ceremony was held at the Temple Trees on the 02nd of July 2021, and was graced by the Hon. Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with Speaker of Parliament Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Justice Hon. Ali Sabry PC; the State Minster of Prison Reforms Hon. Lohan Ratwatte and Country Director of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, Faizer Khan; along with other officials of Muslim Aid Sri Lanka.
Muslim Aid’s Country Director briefed Hon. Prime Ministers on Muslim Aid’s programmes in Sri Lanka including the emergency response, economic empowerment programmes, education and WATSAN programmes. The Hon. Prime Minister commended Muslim Aid’s activities in Sri Lanka and requested to continue its services for the betterment of the people.
Muslim Aid is a UK based relief and development agency established in 1985 and working in over 20 countries including Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Country Office was set up in May 2005, in the aftermath of the Tsunami to primarily address Tsunami relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation work.
Since its inception, Muslim Aid Sri Lanka has been responding to major emergencies, including the tsunami devastation, where the organization constructed 100 houses and supported the renovation of affected schools in the southern parts of the country. Muslim Aid also supported the IDPs in camp sites in Manik farm by providing essential needs, including setting up inflatable hospitals, educational support and water and sanitation facilities.
Recently, Muslim Aid supported affected families and students of the April 2019 terrorist attacks, by providing scholarship facilities, livelihood support and renovation of schools in the Katuwapitiya area. The organization also contributed to the fundraising call by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith – Archbishop of Colombo, in order to support the affected families of the terrorist attacks.
During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Muslim Aid supported thousands of vulnerable and daily wage-earning families through the provision of dry ration packs in a number of districts in the country. Muslim Aid also handed over hygiene packs to the Head of National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and the Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva, to be distributed in selected quarantine centers in the country.
Muslim Aid Sri Lanka, in its efforts to overcome the pandemic situation, continues to engage in Covid19 aid and relief work to reach the most vulnerable and daily wage-earning families struggling during the lockdown in various parts of the country.
This project was implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Health, National Operations Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) and the Secretariat for NGOs.