Distributing emergency food items to vulnerable communities. Credit: Caritas Sri Lanka
On 28 November Sri Lanka experienced its worst natural disaster in decades with the government calling a state of emergency. Tragically, over 600 people lost their lives and many vulnerable communities are still in need.
Cyclone Ditwah caused devastation across Sri Lanka. Days of relentless rain caused landslides and mudflows destroyed entire villages, and brought flooding on an extraordinary scale across the entire country, destroying homes, farmland and vital infrastructure.
Over 1 million people were affected and many thousands left without shelter, food or clean water. Sadly, this natural disaster hit at a time when Sri Lankan people are already suffering from the severe effects of climate change and the daily hardships of an economic crisis and unfair debt burden.
But with support from people like you, our local partners have been working tirelessly to help the growing needs of families devastated by this crisis.
What happened in Sri Lanka?
Cyclone Ditwah hit Sri Lanka on 28 November, bringing the worst flooding the country has seen in decades. Cyclone Ditwah brought extremely strong winds, storms and heavy rain, which affected over 1.1 million people across Sri Lanka.
Sadly, over 600 people died and entire communities were completely destroyed. Over 200,000 people lost their homes and took shelter in places such as churches and safety centres. Land damage persists and communities continue to struggle with both the physical and emotional repercussions of the landslides, which have caused loss of life, psychological trauma, displacement and the destruction of vital infrastructure.
Paddy fields are submerged with flooded water that has destroyed the harvest. This will have a severe impact on food security for the rural population in the coming months and years.
How has Cyclone Ditwah affected communities in Sri Lanka?
A third of the country was left without electricity or running water, making it difficult for families to access safe drinking water and help. Sadly, the hardest-hit communities were the ones already affected by climate change and unfair debt, such as farmers in rural regions.
“Paddy fields have been submerged with flooded water that has destroyed the harvest. This will have a severe impact on food security for the rural population in the coming months and years,” said CAFOD’s Country Representative, Grace How.
Farmers and ordinary families in Sri Lanka are already feeling the effects of unfair global debt. Sri Lanka is one of 54 countries crippled by debt at extortionately high interest rates. This means that instead of having money to pay for vital services like hospitals, schools and roads, the government have to pay off debt to private banks and hedge funds.
This makes a disaster this size even more devastating. Sri Lanka needs unconditional support to help families caught up in this crisis.
What has the response been from CAFOD's partners and the Catholic Church?
“The Church immediately came forward to assist those affected. The churches were open,” said Fr Rohan Silva, from local partner the Centre for Society and Religion.
Despite the huge challenges, with your support our local Church partners have been working tirelessly to help our neighbours in need: £100,000 was released to provide families with blankets, cooking utensils, hygiene kits, school supplies, climate-resilient seed kits and repairs to infrastructure. Your monthly gift helps ensure support like this reaches communities in need when they need it most.
Thanks to supporters like you, our local Church partner Caritas Sri Lanka responded to the urgent need for life-saving food, safe drinking water and immediate support through the Catholic Church.
Caritas Sri Lanka responded to the urgent need for life-saving food, safe drinking water and immediate support through the Catholic Church. Credit: Caritas Sri Lanka
In the east, our local partner Peace and Community Action have provided families with relief items and helped families return safely to their homes with a focus on long-term support to help rebuild lives after this disaster.
Our partner Centre for Society and Religion responded to the needs of communities quickly by setting up community kitchens and temporary accommodation. Dry rations and packs for pregnant women were distributed, and roof repairs have been carried out.
Support like yours has helped farmers recover after their crops have been destroyed. Our local partner Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform has helped farmers access seeds to replant their fields after the flooding, working with 5,000 farmers for long-term support.
Sadly, hundreds of people lost loved ones in the cyclone as well as their entire lives, such as homes, treasured belongings and essentials like shelter. With your support, our local partners have been meeting the mental health needs of these people in a crisis – sharing coping mechanisms, leading community groups and helping them to slowly rebuild their lives.
Roof repairs in Kalpitiya carried out by our partner Centre for Society and Religion
How you can help
A better world needs all of us. That’s why your support right now matters. You are vital in helping our neighbours who have lost everything.
You can help families in a crisis by giving today. Please donate to help families affected by emergencies