The cruiser Lake Erie arrived Sunday to deliver humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka after flooding caused widespread damage and mudslides in the country.

At least 169 Sri Lankans are dead and more than 110,000 are displaced after extraordinarily heavy rains devastated large parts of the county. Dozens remain missing. In response, U.S. Pacific Command dispatched the Lake Erie to aid Sri Lankan relief efforts, according to a PACOM release.

Sailors have been working to set up water purification systems and help reinforce levies with Sri Lankan military, according to pictures posted on DVIDS.

The military is working through the U.S. embassy and with the U.S. Agency for International Development on the mission. The release said PACOM was lending aircraft to the effort as well.

"We're very proud to have the opportunity to provide relief and assistance to the citizens of Sri Lanka," said Lake Erie skipper Capt. Darren McPherson. "Whether it's rehabilitating flooded areas or providing food and water, our Sailors are well trained for this mission and we are ready to execute on behalf of the United States." 

In October, the Defense Department staged a massive relief effort in Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew that included more than 2,000 sailors and Marines from the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima. Matthew ravaged crops and triggered landslides in Haiti's southern departments.

About David B. Larter

David B. Larter was the naval warfare reporter for Defense News.

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