Sri Lanka Grapples with Cyclone Ditwah Fallout Recovery Needs Urgent

A recent UNDP assessment reveals that nearly all communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka suffered damage to homes, roads, and critical infrastructure, underscoring urgent recovery needs. Interviews with 510 local officials, bu

siness leaders, and community representatives across 85 divisions in 22 severely affected districts found that 95% reported infrastructure damage, with housing and roads most frequently impacted.

The cyclone, which struck on 26 November 2025, inundated nearly 20% of the country, affecting roughly 2.3 million people, and caused widespread economic disruption, including crop and livestock losses, job disruptions, and closures of businesses, especially in the informal sector. Vulnerable groups—including older persons, persons with disabilities, and female-headed households—were disproportionately affected.

Recovery is hampered by shortages of construction materials, skilled labour, and financing, along with institutional coordination gaps. UNDP emphasizes the need to transition from short-term relief to comprehensive recovery, prioritizing support for micro and small enterprises, resilient infrastructure, and climate-adapted livelihoods to prevent vulnerable populations from falling back into poverty and ensure sustainable long-term resilience.