Sri Lanka, SET Tropical Storm Ditwah
Sri Lanka is grappling with one of its worst natural disasters in recent history. Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka at the end of November 2025 with unprecedented force, unleashing days of torrential rain that triggered severe flooding and landslides across all 25 districts of the country. Given the devastating situation, the Swiss Humanitarian Aid decided to deploy a Rapid Response Team (SET), focusing on WASH, and possible additional sectors like NFI, CVA and/or shelter.
| Paese/Regione | Tema | Periodo | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sri Lanka |
Aiuto d'emergenza e protezione
Assistenza materiale
|
03.12.2025
- 30.06.2026 |
CHF 450’000
|
- Corpo svizzero di aiuto umanitario
- • SHA • NGO Sarvodaya
-
Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Sotto-Settore in base alle categorie del Comitato di Aiuto allo sviluppo (DAC) dell'OCSE Assistenza materiale e servizi d'emergenza
Tipo di aiuto Attuazione diretta DSC
Numero del progetto 7F11673
| Contesto | Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on 27 November 2025, bringing torrential rains and strong winds that caused severe flooding, landslides, and widespread destruction across all 25 districts. Its slow movement produced prolonged rainfall exceeding 350 mm within 24 hours in some areas, and the rainy conditions continued for four consecutive days, resulting in catastrophic flooding, slope failures, and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, making it one of the worst disasters in decades. The combination of the tropical storm “Ditwah”, intense rainfall, strong winds, saturated soils, rivers and reservoirs, and massive rainfall over mountainous terrain had far stronger impacts than the monsoon seasons of recent years. Major water supply schemes, treatment plants, and rural systems are damaged or submerged, causing severe service interruptions. High turbidity, contamination, and power outages prevent restoration. Given Sri Lanka’s openness to receive aid WASH equipment and expertise was offered to the Sri Lankan Authorities. On 02.12.2025, the crisis cell received the OK to deploy. |
| Obiettivi | The overall objective is to provide immediate lifesaving assistance and support recovery efforts in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. |
| Gruppi target | Vulnerable population in Sri Lanka affected by the cyclone “Ditwah” |
| Effetti a medio termine |
1) Action Line WASH: The WASH modules have been installed and are of use to the affected population. 2) Action Line NFI: The local NGO Sarvodaya has been supported to provide the affected population with Non Food Items (NFI). 3) Action Line CASH: A suitable partner has been defined and a CASH modality has been implemented. |
| Risultati |
Risultati principali attesi: • A rapid response team is deployed and assesses, coordinates, proposes and supports the implementation of action lines to assist hurricane hit and affected people in Sri Lanka. • Possible sites for the installation of the WASH modules are defined. • The WASH modules are installed and used. • A donation/contribution contract has been signed with the local NGO Sarvodaya to support the distribution of NFI. • A possible CASH intervention has been assessed, a suitable partner identified and is being implemented. • Other possible interventions and the feasibility of a direct action have been assessed. Risultati fasi precedenti: N/A |
| Direzione/Ufficio responsabile |
DSC |
| Partner del progetto |
Partner contrattuale |
| Coordinamento con altri progetti e attori | Disaster Management Centre (DMC), NGO Sarvodaya, UN-Agencies, red cross family |
| Budget | Fase in corso Budget Svizzera CHF 450’000 Budget svizzero attualmente già speso CHF 25’500 Budget inclusi partner del progetto CHF 450’000 Progetto totale dalla prima fase Budget Svizzera CHF 0 Budget inclusi partner del progetto CHF 450’000 |
| Fasi del progetto | Fase 1 03.12.2025 - 31.01.2026 (Fase in corso) |
