Updated 3 February 2009

The World Federation’s Ramadhan Relief efforts extended all the way to Sri Lanka. Our Agency there reported that “the following Du’as were recited by all those who received the bountiful Ramadhan packs this year (Alhamdulillah):”

“May the Blessings of Allah (SWT), our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Ahlul-Bayt (AS) always be with all those who made arrangements for us to receive this bountiful pack during this Holy Month of Ramadhan”.

“May the Blessings of Allah (SWT), our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Ahlul-Bayt (AS) always be with all those who enabled us to re-build our homes and clear most of our debts”.

ACTIVITIES, EVENTS AND FUNCTIONS CARRIED OUT:
a)  Bountiful Ramadhan Packs containing all the necessary dry rations were distributed to almost 150 poor and needy Muslim families. New clothes and other essentials (where necessary) were also distributed. Cash was distributed among those who were residing in outstation areas (since transporting dry rations was a problem due to government regulations). All the recipients were able to fast during Ramadhan without a problem, since they had all the essential dry rations that they needed. 

    

b) Iftaar was provided to the poor and needy Muslims in groups.

c)  At each distribution point, in addition to the packs, cash was also distributed. Before the distributions were made, a talk was delivered, stressing on the importance of the Holy month of Ramadhan and the special events that took place during this Holy Month :-

• Fasting and the Amaals of fasting and what one should do and refrain from, during fasting
• Battle of Badr and the conquest of Mecca
• Wafat of Lady Khadija (SA)
• Wiladat of Imam Hassan (AS)
• Importance of Laylatul Qadr 
• Martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS)

d)  Many individuals were assisted in re-building their homes that were damaged due to floods. The walls of most of the houses are built out of wooden planks, therefore, when the wood perishes, they have to be replaced. On a continuous basis (not only during Ramadhan) assistance is provided to most of the houses, to enable the to fill their houses with debris and earth, so that the rain water and flood waters would not get into their homes. This is an on-going project, since every time the monsoons set in or whenever there are heavy showers, their houses go under water.

e)  Assistance was provided to raise the level of the road around the Mosque of one particular village (Duwa Watte), which was under water, to enable the people to go to the Mosque for prayers.

f)  A few families (especially widows) were given loans to carry out home industry projects like preparing food items etc.

OTHER PROJECTS: HOUSING

Duwa Watta – House No.1
The house in this picture was demolished and preparations were made to rebuild it by raising the level of the ground as this house is situated just opposite the canal. Every time it rains, this house is flooded and the family who lives there (mother, father and two small sons) have to take shelter in the Mosque or the school. But unfortunately, the heavy rains have set in and the construction had to stop, as the whole village is under water once again. The work restarted as soon as the rains stopped.

Duwa Watte - House No.2
The roofing sheets in this house were replaced as they were corroded and the whole house was leaking. The inside of the house was filled with debris and earth to help ward off the rain water.
 
 

Duwa Watta - House No.3
This house is being built on stilts, as the land is marshy and it is cheaper than filling with debris and building on it.

Duwa Watta Road
A major part of the road of Duwa Watta and the road near the Mosque was raised by filling it with debris and soil. Unfortunately, the heavy, continuous rains washed away a major part of the filled earth.

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA COVERED DURING RELIEF EFFORTS:
The Gampaha District (bordering Columbo District) received aid in Sri Lanka through the Ramadhan Relief Fund. The towns that benefited here were: 

• Wattala Area (Wattala, Mabole, Ragama, Akbar Town, Wanawasala, Hunupitiya, Peralanda)
• Giriulla
• Kurunegala
• Seeduwa
• Negombo
• Chilaw
• Kalpitiya
• Puttalam
• Beruwala.

Our Agency in Sri Lanka expressed their gratitude to all donors:  “May the Blessings of Allah (SWT), Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Ahlul-Bayt (AS) always be with each and every one of you and your families, for making all the necessary arrangements for the poor and needy Muslims all over the world to enjoy a pleasant Ramadhan and May He give you the strength to continue these worthy projects for many more years (Aameen).

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org