The United Nations (UN) and its humanitarian partners today (11) launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP), appealing for US$35.3 million (LKR 10.9 billion) to scale up life-saving assistance for Sri Lankans devastated by Cyclone Ditwah.

The plan, which spans from December 2025 to April 2026, targets 658,000 of the most vulnerable people needing urgent support.

It follows the Government’s request for international aid and is intended to complement and bolster ongoing national relief efforts by focusing on the most severely impacted areas.

critical needs and rising risks
The HPP covers several critical sectors, including:
Shelter and non-food items
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)

Food security, agriculture, and nutrition

Health
Education
Protection
Early recovery
The UN noted the dire consequences of the cyclone, which has affected nearly 2.2 million people, recorded over 600 deaths, and left nearly 200 people still missing.

More than 91,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, with over 85,000 people currently sheltering in safety centres.

UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, emphasised the urgency:

“Cyclone Ditwah has hit the poorest and the most vulnerable the hardest. It has affected nearly every aspect of their lives, intensifying difficulties they were already facing,". The Humanitarian Priorities Plan provides a focused approach to delivering life-saving assistance to those most affected, while supporting early recovery. We are calling on the international community to stand with Sri Lanka at this critical moment. Only through continued solidarity and strengthened support can we help families rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience." said Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.

The crisis is escalating health and protection risks.
Contaminated water and damaged sanitation systems are driving up the potential for water- and vector-borne diseases.
Furthermore, crop losses and market disruptions are straining food security, and crowded shelters are heightening the risk of sexual and gender-based violence, especially for women and girls.

An estimated 462,000 children are among the affected population.

While the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has already provided US$4.5 million, the HPP outlines that significant additional funding is urgently needed to fully safeguard the most vulnerable.