Over 10,000 cyclone-affected people assisted as food security improves: WFP

By Charithya Kumarasiri

Colombo, Feb. 23 (Daily Mirror) - More than 10,000 people affected by Cyclone Ditwah received assistance in January 2026 as food security conditions showed signs of improvement, according to the latest Country Brief issued by the World Food Programme (WFP).

The report states that 10,172 people in the districts of Badulla, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya were supported through bank transfers during January, with a total of USD 222,255 disbursed. Efforts are also underway to expand assistance to other affected districts.

According to the WFP, its emergency response began in December 2025 with the distribution of non-food items and fortified food. The programme has since expanded to include cash and voucher assistance to help vulnerable families meet their immediate needs.

The brief further highlights that findings from WFP’s remote food security monitoring surveys show an improvement in food consumption levels compared to December 2025, when many households were facing severe disruptions in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone.

While noting that Sri Lanka is showing signs of macroeconomic recovery and stabilised inflation, the report cautions that the country remains highly vulnerable to climate-related risks. Rising temperatures and extreme heat have been identified as emerging threats to human health and agricultural productivity.

Beyond emergency relief, the WFP said it is implementing programmes aimed at strengthening early recovery and resilience. Under the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, training sessions conducted in Monaragala and Buttala reached 69 beneficiaries — including 48 women and 21 men — to promote entrepreneurship and income diversification.

The sessions focused on improving business skills, strengthening enterprise development capacity and expanding opportunities for sustainable livelihood recovery. Field-level interventions were also carried out in Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, where agricultural equipment and home gardening guidance were provided to enhance household food security.