UN seeks $51 million for Sri Lanka flood victims

January 19, 2011 (AFP) - The United Nations on Wednesday sought 51 million dollars to meet the urgent needs of more than one million people affected by recent monsoon floods in Sri Lanka.



Bragg will end her visit on Friday after meeting with senior Sri Lankan government officials. The UN issued the appeal as its deputy emergency relief coordinator, Catherine Bragg, arrived on the island for a three-day mission to meet with victims and the authorities.

"This appeal seeks 51 million dollars to enable international partners to support the government in addressing the needs of more than one million flood-affected people over the next six months," the UN said.

Sri Lanka's disaster management centre placed the floods toll at 43 people killed and four missing.

As the flood waters receded, the number of people in state-run relief camps dropped to below 10,000 by Wednesday.

The floods hit the island's northern, central and eastern regions.

Many people in the north and east were rebuilding their lives after the decades-long Tamil separatist war ended in 2009. Both regions were also badly affected vby the 2004 Asian tsunami.