Nation has got its priorities mixed up between humanity and availability: Sri Lanka Red Cross chief

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Sri Lanka appears to have got its priorities mixed up between humanity and availability, Jagath Abeysinghe, president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society told The Island Financial Review recently.

“We hear many concerned voices about the difficulties arising from the shortages of fuel and other commodities as a result of the ongoing foreign exchange crisis, but unfortunately, there isn’t enough concern and attention towards the larger section of the people across the length and breadth of the country who quietly bear the brunt of the economic crisis, and are left without the basic needs to live. So the talk about humanity has taken a back seat, president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said.

He made these remarks on the sidelines of a recent event where Uber Sri Lanka announced a USD 200,000 donation to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to help vulnerable communities affected by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The donations will be used to distribute food and life-saving medicines across the country.

Further speaking the president of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said:

“Beyond the prevailing shortages of various things that reduce the convenience of life in general, there’s an underlying huge humanitarian crisis. These people don’t have money to buy even basic needs and this is the first time I have seen a humanitarian crisis in its most extreme form ever since I joined the Red Cross as a youth member forty years ago.

“These people are mostly daily income earners with very low-wages. Although poor they worked and lived with dignity and respect until the economic crisis hit them out of the blue. It was not their fault and it was clearly somebody else’s fault. The heart-rending side of this story is they can’t communicate their plight to the world and take their message to the empathetic people out there who feel for them and may well be willing to support them to alleviate their suffering.

“The government because of its limited fiscal space may not be able to support all these people. But it can muster the support of all kind-hearted people willing to contribute to this cause by establishing a transparent mechanism that ensures their donations will directly and definitely go to this segment of people that needs support to live through the crisis time. Unlike in times of natural disasters, the crisis has affected middle-income households too. As a nation, we must draw our prime focus on this and do the best we can do to help them. The corporate sector, NGOs and other organizations need to step in and the government has to adopt a holistic approach to muster and channel their support to these vulnerable sections.”

“There are many compassionate people in the Sri Lankan diaspora working and living overseas who have made their intentions known to us about their willingness to help the people get rid of this frustrating situation. But it has to be coordinated and channeled through a credible mechanism.”

“The media also has to play a key role in bringing this matter to the surface instead of playing up political rhetoric because the need of the hour is to support the poor and vulnerable people among other urgent matters. If all responsible groups and benefactors join hands, we will be able to fulfill our duty towards these voiceless people.”

“Uber has embarked on a timely initiative to assist the most vulnerable people of Sri Lanka by providing financial assistance during this economic crisis. The trust in Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to deliver their aspirations prove that the Society has continued to work for the most vulnerable in its time of need. Such partnerships as this are vital.”

Sharing her views on the partnership, Saskia de Jongh, Regional General Manager for Delivery, Uber APAC, said, “We are committed to helping Sri Lanka and the communities that we serve. We recognize this is a difficult time for the country, and we are pleased to be able to support it via this partnership with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. Sri Lanka and its people are full of potential, and both will emerge stronger from this crisis.”