The Australian Government has announced that it will provide AUD 1 million in humanitarian assistance to support Sri Lanka’s response to Cyclone Ditwah, the Australian High Commission confirmed on 30th of November 2025.
This funding will be used to deliver essential services to communities affected by severe flooding, landslides, and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. Australia will coordinate closely with humanitarian partners, the United Nations, and local NGOs to ensure rapid on-the-ground support.
Beyond the AUD 1 million allocation, Australia is also working with civil society organisations to redirect existing programme funds to address urgent needs in the hardest-hit areas, with a strong focus on vulnerable groups such as women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
The support package further includes the activation of regional response mechanisms, including the Regional Prepositioning Initiative managed jointly by UNFPA and Australia, which will help meet sexual and reproductive health and protection needs for women and girls affected by the disaster.
Authorities estimate that around one million Sri Lankans have been impacted by the cyclone, with numbers likely to increase as assessments continue.
Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth stated, “Australia stands with Sri Lanka at this devastating time. We will work closely with government, humanitarian actors and civil society to meet the urgent needs of communities across the country. Our thoughts are with the people of Sri Lanka, in particular those affected by the ongoing crisis.”
