UNICEF requested US$7.8 million to provide life-saving assistance to populations affected by Cyclone Ditwah. As of 31 May, US$ 6.32 million has been received and US$ 0.28 million pledged, leaving a funding gap of US$ 1.2 million.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka’s Eastern coast on 28 November 2025, unleashing severe flooding and deadly landslides nationwide. The disaster claimed at least 646 lives, with 173 people still missing by 19 January 2026 as per the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). According to the Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP), more than 2.2 million people were affected, including an estimated 1.2 million—among them nearly 527,000 children—in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Since then, over 70 per cent of the affected population has been reached with multi‑sectoral interventions delivered by the Government, UNICEF, and partners.
The National Disaster Relief Services Center (NDRSC) reports that by the end of May 2026, approximately 1,337 people remain displaced in 18 safety centres. Many families cannot return home due to ongoing landslide risks and extensive damage to housing and critical infrastructure. While displaced households continue to reside in tented shelters or community centres, several transitional shelter sites have been identified, and construction materials are being mobilized for security forces to begin building within the coming weeks.
The HPP implementation period, launched in mid‑December, concluded on 30 April 2026. The plan prioritized life‑saving assistance to vulnerable populations across multiple sectors. Although the formal implementation window has ended, most activities continued through May 2026 and are now shifting into the early recovery phase. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), together with partners, is finalizing a transition strategy to guide interventions beyond the HPP, with a gradual shift toward early recovery and longer-term development by end of July 2026. The Government prepares a sustainable recovery plan based on the PDNA published on 21 May 2026.
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