Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has completed its emergency response to the floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The worst natural disaster to hit Sri Lanka in two decades caused widespread flooding and landslides across all districts, severely affecting both urban and rural communities. Since December 2025, MSF has worked alongside local partners and authorities to address urgent and ongoing needs in affected communities in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.
Key outcomes
- Over 4,000 vulnerable people reached with essential relief items, including maternity and dignity kits, warm clothing and blankets, helping to maintain hygiene, dignity and comfort during displacement.
- Restored water supply in eight locations, ensuring nearly 600 families had access to safe water for drinking, cooking and hygiene.
- Sanitation improvements and hygiene material distribution in 13 displacement centers, ensuring dignity and helping reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
- Displaced people received psychosocial support through the efforts of over 80 trained community volunteers, who are empowered to continue supporting mental health needs in their communities.
- MSF delivered 1,000 heavy-duty winterized family tents and 1,500 heavy-duty plastic sheets to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, to support immediate relief efforts in colder regions.
Remaining needs
Nearly two months after Cyclone Ditwah made landfall, many people have begun returning home and resuming their daily lives. However, thousands whose homes were destroyed or are located in high-risk areas remain displaced.
Individuals living in temporary and transitional shelters will require ongoing assistance over the medium- to long-term. Additionally, marginalized communities, particularly those working on tea plantations in the central highlands, were disproportionately affected and continue to face significant barriers in accessing relief services and information in Tamil language.
During the initial emergency phase, MSF focused on addressing immediate needs and supporting and strengthening local response capacity. As MSF transitions out of direct emergency operations, ongoing support will be needed for people affected by this disaster and for building preparedness for future climate-related emergencies.
