Colombo 24 June 2021- Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) the grant aid division of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sri Lanka together with the Alumni Association of KOICA fellows (AKOFE) held a donation ceremony to provide essential equipment and supplies including PPE, Oil absorbent pads and oil absorbent rolls aiming to support marine recovery in Sri Lanka in the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) on 23rd June 2021.
AKOFE is an association that consists of alumni who have completed KOICA fellowship programmes in Korea to build capacity in their areas. This environmental disaster started with a fire on MV X-Press Pearl ship near the port of Colombo. Since the debris and chemical waste of the sinking cargo ship has made huge damages to the marine life in Sri Lanka, the Korean government joined hands together with AKOFE and threw their solidarity behind this urgent national drive. Through this donation, it aims to support around 1000 front-line workers to clean the coast from the debris of sinking cargo ship.
The event was graced with the presence of chairperson of MEPA, Ms. Dharshani Lahandapura, KOICA country director, Ms. Kang Youn Hwa, and President of AKOFE, Mr. Senaka Kumarasinge. KOICA country director stated that “We are saddened that not only the marine life but also the communities who live around the coastal area have been suffering from this environmental disaster. But we believe, as the Republic of Korea has shown “the miracle of the Taean”, Sri Lanka will also overcome this difficulty shortly. As a partner country, Korea always will be there together to help each other.”
The chairperson of MEPA, Mrs. Dharshani Lahandhapura highly appreciated the donation by extending her deepest gratefulness to the government of Korea and KOICA Sri Lanka for the continuous support to Sri Lanka even amid the pandemic situation.
About KOICA
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) contributes to the advancement of international cooperation through various projects that build friendly and collaborative relationships and mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries and support the economic and social development in developing countries, under the mission of ‘Leave no one behind with People- scenter Peace and Prosperity.’ For more information about KOICA, visit www.koica.go.kr
