Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan - Cyclone Ditwah (Dec 2025 - Apr 2026 | issued 11 December 2025)

Foreword by the Resident Coordinator

Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka as it began the process of recovering from the cumulative shocks of the pandemic and the economic crisis, compounding vulnerability. Torrential rains, landslides, and severe flooding swept across all 25 districts of the country, with 22 districts formally being declared "National Disaster Affected Areas", disrupting essential services, damaging infrastructure, and affecting nearly two million people. Hundreds of lives were lost and many remain unaccounted for.

Communities just recovering from economic strain are now facing yet another adversity to their livelihoods and dignity. In the days since Cyclone Ditwah swept through Sri Lanka, I have met families who, in a single night, lost everything, and need to rebuild their lives from the ground up. Many are still sheltering in safety centres, uncertain when they can return home. This disaster has hit those already facing the greatest vulnerabilities the hardest, including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

In moments like these, Sri Lanka’s spirit of solidarity shines through national authorities, local government, civil society, the private sector and volunteers have stepped up to help communities in need. The international community has also mobilized important financial and in-kind support in solidarity with the country. The United Nations, together with humanitarian partners, is working in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, national authorities, and civil society organizations to support and complement the national response, ensuring that reaches those who need it most. The United Nations and humanitarian partners are providing assistance alongside the response led by the authorities, helping to fill critical gaps, and complementing national efforts to ensure support reaches those who need it most.

The Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan anchors this collective effort. It identifies 1.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and focuses on providing life-saving support for an especially vulnerable target population of 658,000 people from mid‑December through April 2026 across seven priority sectors: education; food security; agriculture and nutrition; health (including sexual and reproductive health); protection (including gender‑based violence and child protection); shelter/non-food items/camp coordination; water and sanitation; and early recovery.

It is focused, time-bound, and guided by the needs of the most vulnerable communities identified through the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment and other joint assessments and planning conducted in partnership with the Government, the Disaster Management Centre, and civil society organizations.

I am profoundly grateful to the partners who have already stepped forward through bilateral contributions, and in-kind assistance, notably from countries across the region. Humanitarian resources are under immense pressure globally, and Sri Lanka faces a particularly difficult moment in finding adequate support, just as families begin the long road to recovery. The implementation of the activities listed in the Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan will require a total of US$35.3 million. Of this, the United Nations has already contributed US$4.5 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund for the most urgent intervention and will be grateful for any contributions that can help meet the remaining requirements.

As we put forward the Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan, the appeal to the international community is simple: let us stand with the people of Sri Lanka at this critical time. With compassion, partnership, and sustained support—working hand in hand with the Government, civil society, and all communities— we can help families rebuild their lives with dignity and ensure that every community has a fair chance to recover from this tragedy.

Marc-André Franche
UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka