Several care homes and institutions affected by travel restrictions received food and equipment through NPC’s Covid-19 relief programme funded by the German embassy. Members of the 17 District Inter Religious Committees (DIRCs) with the support of government officers selected institutions that were facing many shortages while trying to look after their residents.

In each district Rs. 75,000 worth of dry rations and sanitary items were distributed to 54 orphanages, elders’ homes, intermediate medical centers and institutions for disabled people and people with special needs.

A total of 1,705 residents and inmates benefited from the donations. The DIRCs were supported by officials from social services and child protection and NGO coordinators. Their involvement helped to maintain accountability and transparency while strengthening the relationship with government bodies, DIRCs and NPC.

“There are 70 residents and 10 staff members living in the centre. Since the start of the pandemic, we have been struggling to meet the needs of our residents because the daily donations we usually get came to a sudden stop. We grow our own vegetables but getting other essential food items has become a challenge. Our residents have big appetites and we go through a substantial amount of food.

The villagers are facing hardships because of the difficulties they are facing with farming and agriculture so we don’t receive donations as we did before the pandemic; we don’t get enough help or aid from the government as well. To receive this donation from NPC and Monaragala DIRC has been a blessing and we thank them profusely,” said Mr. Lanka Perera President of the Sitsewana Institute, in Thanamalwila.

“Since the new travel restrictions were imposed by the government, we have been struggling to look after and feed the residents who are disabled and with special needs. The donations we received from NPC and Polonnaruwa DIRC are well timed and highly appreciated,” said Mr. Dinusha Sanjeewa Gamage of the Vocational Training Centre for the Special Needs in Polonnaruwa.