Sri Lanka cyclone: More than a million still need aid weeks after Ditwah floods

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Nearly a month after Cyclone Ditwah tore across Sri Lanka, more than a million people – including over half a million children – remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, as floods, landslides and renewed rainfall continue to compound one of the country’s worst disasters in decades.

The cyclone made landfall on the island’s eastern coast on 28 November, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides across all 25 districts.

While some displaced families have begun returning home, recent heavy rains caused fresh flooding, landslides and road closures, particularly in the central districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Polonnaruwa.

According to UN assessments, nearly 1.8 million people – about 8 per cent of the island nation’s population – remain affected. Among them, more than 1.2 million people require humanitarian support, including nearly 527,000 children.

A joint rapid needs assessment led by national authorities and humanitarian partners confirmed extensive damage across all nine provinces, with severe disruption to essential services and heightened risks for women, children and persons with disabilities.

Hunger and food insecurity is rising, with reports that nearly one in three households is food insecure and many families resorting to “coping strategies” such as reducing meals.

© UNICEF

Child protection needs and response in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

Children at heightened risk

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports critical gaps in child protection, education, nutrition, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Many children remain displaced in overcrowded centres or with host families, where inadequate lighting, privacy and sanitation increase protection risks, including gender-based violence.

Education has been severely affected. More than 1,300 schools and six universities sustained damage, while around 500 schools continue to serve as temporary shelters.

Authorities have begun relocating students from damaged schools to nearby functioning ones, but humanitarians warn that temporary learning spaces will be needed in several areas to prevent prolonged disruptions to education.

Despite the challenges, UNICEF and partners have scaled up emergency assistance, reaching more than 76,000 people with WASH services, nearly 9,000 with nutrition support and over 5,600 with child protection services.

Displacement and destruction

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that over 272,000 people remain displaced, most staying with host communities, while others are sheltering in schools, religious buildings and community centres.

As of mid-December, authorities reported 643 deaths and 183 people still missing. More than 107,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, making shelter one of the most urgent needs.

© IOM

IOM teams on the ground are delivering shelter and essential relief items to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Economic toll and food insecurity

The cyclone has dealt a heavy blow to livelihoods.

A rapid post-disaster assessment by the World Bank estimated damage at $4.1 billion – equivalent to 4 per cent of the country’s GDP.

Agriculture losses are estimated at over $800 million, with more than 58,000 hectares of paddy land flooded in eastern districts, threatening food production and incomes for smallholder farmers.

Funding gap threatens recovery

At the Government’s request, UN agencies and humanitarian partners launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan this month, seeking $35.3 million to support the most vulnerable.

UNICEF alone requires $7.8 million to sustain its emergency response for children, but as of 23 December, less than half that amount had been received or pledged.

Humanitarian agencies warn that without sustained funding and continued support, recovery will be slow – particularly for children, whose education, safety and well-being remain at risk as Sri Lanka faces a long and difficult recovery.