Sri Lanka Floods Emergency Appeal Update: Phase 1 Response
Thank you to everyone who supported the Sri Lanka Floods Emergency Appeal. Your generosity has helped provide urgent relief to families impacted by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread devastation across Sri Lanka.
Many communities experienced severe flooding and damage, leaving families without basic necessities and facing extremely difficult circumstances. In the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, International Needs Sri Lanka mobilised emergency support quickly to help families survive the critical early days.
Immediate Emergency Assistance
Phase 1 of the response focused on meeting urgent needs as quickly as possible. Emergency assistance included the distribution of:
- Cooked meals
- Dry ration packs
- Other essential relief items
In several communities, families also received clothing and bedding, as many had lost almost all of their belongings and were left with only the clothes they were wearing.
To ensure relief was distributed fairly and responsibly, International Needs Sri Lanka worked closely with the relevant Divisional Secretariats in each affected area. Government officials were present at almost all distributions, supporting transparency and accountability throughout the response.
Support Reached Over 900 Families
While the initial plan was to support 500 families, the response was able to go even further. Through the combined support of partners across the International Needs network — including India, Australia, and New Zealand — Phase 1 emergency assistance reached over 900 families.
This extended reach meant more families could receive the help they urgently needed, during a time when many had no access to food, clean clothing, or basic household items.
New Zealand’s Contribution
Here in New Zealand, supporters raised almost NZD $30,000, playing an important role in this wider international effort and helping ensure emergency relief could be delivered in the days immediately following the cyclone.
Your support helped families receive practical assistance when it mattered most — offering dignity, care, and hope during a time of crisis.
Thank You
This emergency response would not have been possible without the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you for standing with communities in Sri Lanka during a time of great need.