Cornwall rescue team deployed to help Sri Lanka flood victims

A natural disaster rescue team from Cornwall has deployed to Sri Lanka where half a million people have been affected by monsoon flooding and landslides.

12,000 homes have either been destroyed or damaged in the country after one month's rain fell in just two days.

The Shelterbox team based in Truro have flown out within 36 hours of getting the call about the situation in Sri Lanka.

The charity assesses the needs of the local community and works with the government and other humanitarian organisations on the recovery operation.

A team of six from Shelterbox will work in Sri Lanka over the coming weeks, where access to some areas is still restricted. Operation Lead, James Luxton says people are still reliant on air drops of medicine and food.

On his first exploration of the area, James described seeing landslides every 10-15 seconds and mud piled up on either side of the road, the height of a two-storey house.

The Cornwall charity also works in Niger, Chad, Peru, Iraq and Syria, helping affected communities there.