The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an appeal for USD 7.3 million to support more than 100,000 people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The storm has displaced over 280,000 people and damaged or destroyed more than 81,000 homes, leaving thousands of families in urgent need of shelter, protection and essential services.
“Behind every number is a person whose safety, dignity and rights must guide the response. At moments like this, people need to feel protected, supported and able to regain a sense of stability,” said Kristin Parco, IOM Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka.
She noted that the appeal focuses on meeting immediate humanitarian needs while working alongside government-led efforts to help communities recover and rebuild in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
As co-lead of the Shelter and Non-Food Item (NFI) Cluster, IOM aims to address urgent needs including emergency shelter and NFIs, protection services, health and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) to ensure assistance reaches the most vulnerable, according to the statement.
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on November 28, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides that affected all 25 districts across Sri Lanka. These impacts have compounded existing vulnerabilities, as repeated climate-related shocks continue to erode livelihoods, strain household coping capacities and weaken community infrastructure.
Through the appeal, IOM will deliver a coordinated, multi-sectoral response that addresses immediate humanitarian needs while laying the foundation for early recovery. The response is anchored in the activation of IOM’s DTM to provide timely data on population movements and priority needs, supporting national coordination mechanisms and humanitarian planning.
Key components of the appeal include emergency shelter assistance for more than 78,000 people, the provision of essential household items, improved coordination and conditions in government-run safety centres, and support for households with damaged homes through a mix of in-kind assistance and targeted cash support.
Health and MHPSS interventions are expected to reach around 10,000 people through mobile clinics, community-based outreach and support to damaged health facilities. In addition, rapid WASH interventions will assist 20,000 people through emergency water supply, sanitation facilities and hygiene support in safety centres and affected communities to reduce public health risks.
Protection remains central to the response, with 10,000 people targeted for integrated protection services, including community-based protection and capacity-building activities to prevent and respond to risks such as gender-based violence, child protection concerns and the exclusion of persons with disabilities.
Short-term early recovery initiatives will also support communities to stabilize conditions and restore livelihoods through targeted assistance. IOM emphasized that urgent support is needed for families affected by Cyclone Ditwah, as continued displacement, damaged homes and disrupted services place many at ongoing risk.
The statement added that timely investment will help meet immediate needs, support recovery efforts and enable communities to move beyond displacement towards safer living conditions, restored livelihoods and long-term resilience.
