RCC Press release – Relief Coordination Centre (RCC)

22nd May 2016 Media Release – Relief Coordination Centre (RCC) 

The Relief Coordination Centre (RCC) was set up at a meeting convened by the All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema on the 20th of May 2016 with all leading Muslim civil Society organizations to strengthen the relief efforts of the Government and civil society. The Muslim community has been actively involved in providing food, drinking water and sanitary needs to the affected population from the onset of the floods and has reached out to all communities irrespective of their religious persuasion. 

Today, a delegation from RCC met Hon. Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management and briefed him of the appointment of the committee by the Muslim leadership to coordinate future relief efforts with the Government of Sri Lanka, civil society organizations and the Ministry of Disaster Management. The committee also brought to the attention of the Hon. Minister some of the issues, which concern the Muslims. Among them, it was highlighted that a large number of Muslims who were evicted from Colombo had been residing in temporary shelters in the Wellampitiya, Kollonawa and Malwana areas. These people are not registered residents as they were temporarily residing in these areas until the Government allocated the promised housing in Colombo.

It was also brought to the attention of the Hon. Minister that the majority of the flood affected Muslims were living with family and friends in Colombo and other parts of the country. The Hon. Minister thanked the Muslim community’s committed support in the relief operations and requested the delegation to ensure that only the required relief supplies are collected and distributed as per the specific needs. The Hon. Minister also requested the Muslims to ignore the racist comments on social media, which have been planted by vested interests.

A number of officials were nominated by the Ministry to work with the Muslim community to ensure that there is equal distribution of relief to all flood affected persons. The delegation also offered to provide any number of volunteers to support the Government in its relief programme. 

RCC – Main coordinators: 

Ash Shiekh Murshid Mulaffer (ACJU) – 0773-088878 
Al Haj S.A. Asker Khan (MCSL) – 0777-572935 
Al Haj M.T. Thassim (NSC) – 0772-348683 
AL Haj Aslam Othuman (CDMF) – 0777-588963 

RCC Hotline: 0117-490415 RCC
Media: 0773-112561