THE the cyclone made landfall on the east coast of the island on November 28, triggering widespread flooding and deadly landslides in all 25 districts.
While some displaced families have started to return home, recent heavy rains have caused further flooding, landslides and road closures, particularly in the central districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Polonnaruwa.
Nearly 1.8 million people – or around 8 percent of the island nation’s population – remain affected, according to UN assessments. Among them, more than 1.2 million people need humanitarian assistance, including nearly 527,000 children.
A joint rapid needs assessment carried out by national authorities and humanitarian partners confirmed significant damage in all nine provinces, with severe disruptions to essential services and increased risks for women, children and people with disabilities.
Hunger and food insecurity are increasing, with reports that nearly one in three households are food insecure and many families are resorting to “coping strategies” such as cutting back on meals.
Child protection needs and response following Cyclone Ditwah.
Children at increased risk
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports critical gaps in child protection, education, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Many children remain displaced in overcrowded centers or with foster families, where inadequate lighting, privacy and sanitation increase protection risks, including gender-based violence.
Education has been seriously affected. More than 1,300 schools and six universities have been damaged, while around 500 schools continue to serve as temporary shelters.
Authorities have begun relocating students from damaged schools to functioning ones nearby, but humanitarians warn that temporary learning spaces will be needed in several areas to avoid prolonged disruptions to education.
Despite the challenges, UNICEF and its partners have scaled up their emergency assistance, reaching more than 76,000 people with WASH services, almost 9,000 with nutritional support and more than 5,600 with child protection services.
Displacement and destruction
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 272,000 people remain displaced, with most remaining in host communities, while others are sheltering in schools, religious buildings and community centers.
As of mid-December, authorities reported 643 deaths and 183 people still missing. More than 107,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, making housing one of the most urgent needs.
IOM teams on the ground are providing shelter and relief items to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Economic impact and food insecurity
The cyclone dealt a severe blow to livelihoods.
A rapid post-disaster assessment by the World Bank estimated the damage at $4.1 billion, equivalent to 4 percent of the country’s GDP.
Agricultural losses are estimated at more than $800 million, with more than 58,000 hectares of rice fields flooded in the eastern districts, threatening food production and incomes of smallholder farmers.
Financing gap threatens recovery
At the request of the government, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan this month, seeking $35.3 million to support the most vulnerable.
UNICEF alone needs $7.8 million to support its emergency response for children, but as of December 23, less than half of that had been received or pledged.
Humanitarian agencies warn that without continued funding and support, recovery will be slow – particularly for children, whose education, safety and well-being remain at risk as Sri Lanka faces a long and difficult recovery.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
