Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ The United Nations has established a new humanitarian strategy to assist individuals affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, with a target of generating USD 35 million in the next four months. The plan aims to help communities rebuild from the cyclone’s devastation while also meeting vital humanitarian needs across the country. Known as the Humanitarian Priorities Plan, the project aims to help nearly 658,000 of the most vulnerable people between December 2025 and April 2026. It follows a formal request for international assistance made by the Government of Sri Lanka and is intended to complement national response efforts already underway.
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The plan focuses on directing support to the areas and families hit hardest by the cyclone. It supports the government’s response by filling critical gaps and ensuring that help reaches those in most need. Food security, agriculture and nutrition, healthcare, protection services, shelter and basic household items, education, water and sanitation, camp coordination, and early recovery activities will all be covered. Humanitarian agencies are working together to deliver aid quickly and in close coordination with national authorities. Support under the plan is guided by an assessment of vulnerabilities and findings from the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment carried out with Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre. Further detailed analysis is ongoing to help shape additional interventions and ensure that resources are used where they will have the greatest impact.
Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread devastation across Sri Lanka. At the height of the disaster, nearly 2.2 million people were affected. More than 600 deaths have been reported so far, and close to 200 people are still missing. Over 91,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed. Although some families have returned home or found alternative shelter, more than 85,000 people remain in temporary safety centres. Continued monsoon rains have increased the risk of landslides, making it unsafe for many displaced families to return. “The cyclone has hit the poorest and most vulnerable communities the hardest,” said Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. “For many families, the storm has worsened challenges they were already facing. This plan provides a clear and focused way to deliver life-saving support while also helping people begin to recover. We are urging the international community to stand with Sri Lanka at this critical time so families can rebuild their lives with dignity.”
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Beyond the immediate destruction, the cyclone has added new pressures on already fragile households. Flooded areas and deteriorating sanitary systems have increased the likelihood of waterborne and mosquito-borne infections. Access to healthcare remains limited in many areas due to destroyed buildings and disrupted services. Crop losses, weakening markets, and lower earnings have all hampered food security, making it more difficult for households to meet their basic needs. Protection concerns are also on the rise. Overcrowded shelters and limited facilities have increased the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, which disproportionately impacts women and girls. Children have also been profoundly affected. An estimated 462,000 children have been affected by the cyclone, with many experiencing disruptions to education, healthcare, and other important services.
Since the crisis began, the UN and its partners have worked closely with national authorities to address acute needs. Affected communities have already received relief supplies such as maternity kits, dignity kits, emergency food, safe drinking water, sanitation aid, and non-food items. The response began with initial funding from bilateral donors and USD 4.5 million from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. There are still significant financial deficits. The Humanitarian Priorities Plan underlines the urgent need for more financing to ensure that all impacted areas receive adequate support. The United Nations has called on the international community to contribute to the plan and help ensure that life-saving assistance reaches those who need it most. A briefing on the plan was recently held with development partners, international financial institutions, civil society groups, and senior government officials involved in disaster response and essential services.
