ECONOMYNEXT – The United Nations has allocated USD 4.5 million for Sri Lanka’s ongoing relief efforts in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, the island nation’s Foreign Minister said.
In his X-account, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath thanked the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, for the UN’s decision to allocate USD 4.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for the ongoing relief efforts.
“The UN Resident Coordinator confirmed that the UN’s future assistance will focus on food security, housing, drinking water, education, health, agriculture and fisheries,” Minister Herath said.
“He (UNRC) also informed that a five-member team from OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) has arrived in Sri Lanka to conduct a detailed assessment for this purpose.”
“I pointed out that the impact of the disaster on all sectors including daily livelihood, economy, and agriculture requires continued international support for the rebuilding process. The UN Resident Coordinator reaffirmed the UN’s support for the rebuilding process in Sri Lanka.”
The UN has consistently provided critical assistance to Sri Lanka during times of crisis and natural disasters, mobilizing its specialized agencies to support emergency relief, recovery, and long-term resilience.
Through bodies such as UN OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, the UN has coordinated rapid humanitarian responses including food aid, shelter support, medical supplies, and protection services particularly during major floods, landslides, droughts, pandemics, and post-conflict emergencies.
The UN has also helped strengthen early-warning systems, disaster-risk reduction frameworks, and community-level preparedness, while offering technical expertise, funding mechanisms, and long-term development programs. (Colombo/December 09/2025)
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