Sri Lanka has launched an international appeal for help in view of the extensive flooding and landslides, the Swiss foreign ministry announced on Thursday. Switzerland had offered its assistance to the authorities, who had accepted.

According to the statement, the six-strong Swiss rescue team consists mainly of specialists in water, sanitation and hygiene. An India-based disaster risk reduction expert from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) will also be travelling to Sri Lanka. The SDC is also providing drinking water modules to supply 10,000 people.

A fortnight ago, the SDC donated CHF500,000 to the Philippine Red Cross. The population there has been affected by several typhoons. The SDC has also earmarked CHF200,000 to support the reconstruction of Vietnam. Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, on the other hand, have not yet asked for international help.

Massive flooding and landslides have been causing severe damage in numerous countries in South and Southeast Asia for several weeks. Sri Lanka has been particularly hard hit: according to preliminary figures, 390 people have died and 250 are missing.

Adapted from German by AI/sb

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