As reported by the extant Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday, India is offering assistance to Sri Lanka as a follow-up on the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah by offering a package of assistance worth USD 450 million. In a speech made on his two day trip to the island nation as the special envoy of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar made it clear that India would be with Sri Lanka in this tough time. He was making the remarks together with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
According to Jaishankar, this natural disaster has posed new challenges to Sri Lanka after it was overcoming an economic crisis that struck the country back in 2022. To demonstrate the urgency of the situation, he pointed out that Prime Minister Modi has ordered the Indian government to coordinate with the Sri Lankan authorities with the aim to discuss their immediate priorities. Under this directive, India has suggested the USD 450 million aid package which is undergoing finalization in consultation with the Sri Lankan government.
The support package offered is meant to deal with various key sectors which have been badly affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The essential infrastructure, which was destroyed during the cyclone, including roads, railways, and bridges, should be restored and rehabilitated, which is also a crucial area of assistance. Moreover, India will provide assistance in reconstruction of houses that were completely damaged or partially damaged so that families that were affected could move back to secure and safe houses.
Besides, the package will assist in restoring the health and education systems that have been interrupted by the disaster, restoring schools, hospitals, and other important facilities. Initiatives to combat possible shortages in the short and medium term in the afflicted regions are also on the agenda of agricultural assistance. Finally, the aid of India will be directed at the strengthening of disaster preparedness and response to such disasters that will enable Sri Lanka to address the future occurrence of natural disasters in a more effective manner.
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