Cyclone Ditwah - Situation Report (9 January 2026)

As of 29 December 2025, the Disaster Management Center reported 638 confirmed fatalities, 175 people missing, and significant damage to housing. A total of 129,435 houses have been damaged - 6,121completely destroyed and 114,314 partially destroyed - representing 2.1% of the country’s housing stock. To support the Government-led response, the Humanitarian Country Team, under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan on 11 December 2025 with the objective of delivering life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable 658,000 people, requiring USD 35.3 million in funding for a 4-month period.

An estimated 177,000 individuals remain displaced, staying with host families or in other communities, while over 19,000 people continue to be accommodated in 205 collective centres. Conditions in these centres remain of concern, with persistent gaps in child-friendly spaces, MHPSS services, and dignity kits. Inadequate infrastructure, including limited privacy, poor lighting, and congested living arrangements, continues to pose serious child protection and GBV risks.

The Government of Sri Lanka has initiated a process of developing a Recovery Plan and initiating a Post-Disaster Needs
Assessment. While the recovery phase is expected in the coming months, urgent humanitarian needs persist. Findings
from the Joint Rapid Needs Assessment – Phase II, conducted by the Government in collaboration with humanitarian
partners, highlight critical sectoral impact and priorities.