• Humanitarian Priorities Plan prog. to be coordinated with local/int’l partners based on priorities list covering 7 sectors 
• Targets 658,000 of the most vulnerable in terms of edu; food security/agri/nutrition; health; protection; shelter/non-food items/camp coordination; water/sanitation/hygiene; early recovery
• Govt. to activate emergency response components in WB Cluster investment projs. and obtain $ 92-112 m, sign agreements with the ADB-APDRF for $ 3 m grant 

The UN along with local and international partners are seeking to mobilise US $ 35 million (Rs. 10.9 billion) in the next four months (January-April 2026) to support Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche stated. 

Towards this end, the UN and humanitarian partners launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan which focuses on reaching 658,000 of the most vulnerable people in communities in urgent need of support and immediate life-saving assistance in areas most severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah.  

Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo yesterday (11), Franche said the UN, along with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), has put together a priorities list covering seven sectors (education; food security, agriculture and nutrition; health; protection; shelter, non-food items and camp coordination; water, sanitation and hygiene; and early recovery) after Ditwah caused a trail of destruction across the country. He said the Government is leading the relief and recovery efforts while the UN and other local and international partners will extend their support on a number of areas.

Franche noted the UN has already received $ 9.5 million for the initiative with the support extended by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the US. He noted they are seeking to mobilise a further $ 26 million in the coming months with a coordinated programme.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to activate the emergency response components that are within the World Bank (WB) project fascicle in action at present to assist for the post–disaster recovery requirements, and to obtain a grant from the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) for post–disaster relief and rehabilitation activities. It is appropriate to activate emergency responsive components of the projects already implemented under foreign funds relevant to such infrastructure facilities subject paths for the accelerated rebuilding of damaged infrastructure facilities. Accordingly, the Cabinet granted approval to the proposal submitted by the President as the Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development Minister to activate the emergency responsive components within the investment projects financed by the WB Cluster as well as to obtain a total of $ 92-112 million. 

The unexpected floods and landslides experienced throughout the island due to the extreme downpour occurred as an outcome of cyclone Ditwah, making it one of the most ferocious natural calamities in the recent past. It caused not only the devastation of agricultural lands but also the loss of life, the displacement of communities, and the destruction of livelihoods and essential public facilities. Under such drastic circumstances, measures should be taken to prioritise the rebuilding of the nation and steps should be taken within an elaborate framework from emergency response to long-term mediation. Bilateral and multilateral development partners, loan granting entities and non–profit agencies along with the international community have already made emergency mediations or have initiated such actions.