Over a million still in need weeks after Ditwah floods in Sri Lanka
Nearly a month after Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on November 28, 2025, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, Qazinform News Agency reports citing the UN News.
Floods, landslides, and renewed rainfall continue to affect communities across all 25 districts, leaving more than 1.2 million people — including over 527,000 children — in urgent need of aid, according to UN assessments.
According to the UN News, 1.8 million people or 8% of the population, were affected. 272,000 are displaced, many sheltering in schools, religious buildings, or with host families.
643 deaths and 183 missing were reported by mid-December.
107,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, making shelter a critical need.
UNICEF warns of major gaps in child protection, education, nutrition, and WASH services.
Over 1,300 schools and six universities were damaged, while around 500 schools are being used as temporary shelters.
UNICEF and partners have reached 76,000 people with WASH services, 9,000 with nutrition support, and 5,600 with child protection services.
A rapid post-disaster assessment by the World Bank estimated damage at 4.1 billion US dollars or 4 per cent of the country’s GDP.
Agriculture losses exceed 800 million US dollars, with 58,000 hectares of paddy land flooded, threatening food security.
Nearly one in three households is now food insecure, with families reducing meals to cope.
Cyclone Ditwah is being described as one of Sri Lanka’s worst disasters in decades, with recovery expected to take years.
Earlier, ADB announced emergency grants for flood relief across Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.
