The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it was ready to assist in the rescue operation following a landslide in the Upcountry on Wednesday, which is believed to have left hundreds dead.
"The National Disaster Management Center reports that at least six people have died, 300 people are missing and 150 houses are destroyed," a UN spokesperson said.
"OCHA is in close contact with this centre and stands ready to support as requested."
"The Sri Lankan Red Cross Society has mobilised first aid teams, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health's efforts to assist the affected communities," he added.
The United States said the Sri Lankan government had not requested its assistance to date.
"Our heart goes out to the Government of Sri Lanka and the people of Sri Lanka," a spokesperson of the State Department, Jen Psaki, reports Colombo Page.
"Obviously, these events are just happening, so we can keep you abreast if any new information becomes available," she added.
India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Y. K. Sinha, offered his country's assistance, speaking to the Sri Lankan External Affairs minister G. L. Peiris on Wednesday, reported PTI.
See also: Govt accused of neglecting Upcountry Tamils after hundreds buried in landslide (29 Oct 2014)
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
