UN humanitarian plan for cyclone Ditwah concludes, reaches 575,000 people

June 11 (Daily Mirror) - The United Nations’ Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) launched to assist communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah was officially concluded at a ceremony held in Colombo this morning (11), attended by Commissioner General of Essential Services and Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche.

Addressing the event, Franche said the humanitarian relief programme had been successfully implemented due to strong political leadership and the swift response demonstrated in managing the disaster situation.

Commissioner General Chandrakeerthi highlighted that Sri Lanka had shown how strong national leadership and effective partnerships could ensure the fair and efficient delivery of relief assistance during a crisis. He noted that timely and accurate data and assessments provided by the United Nations played a key role in enabling rapid relief efforts.

He further said that the Government continues to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems and expand institutional coordination at national, provincial and local levels to improve resilience against future natural disasters.

Expressing appreciation for the support extended by foreign governments and international partners, Chandrakeerthi also commended state institutions for ensuring the uninterrupted provision of essential services and facilitating the swift delivery of relief assistance.

Under the Humanitarian Priorities Plan, the United Nations launched an appeal to raise US$35.4 million for Cyclone Ditwah-affected communities. According to officials, 75 per cent of the funds have already been disbursed. Assistance included a Rs. 27,000 allowance for each affected family through Divisional Secretariats, temporary housing support and several other relief measures.

The programme covered all 25 districts of the country and delivered assistance through nine key sectors. Official reports indicate that 87 per cent of the targeted population of more than 650,000 people—approximately 575,000 individuals—directly benefited from the initiative.

Officials said the achievement reflected the confidence and support extended by foreign governments and organisations towards the Cyclone Ditwah response programme implemented by the Government.

The event was attended by Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) to the Ministry of Defence K.G. Dharmatilake, ambassadors and high commissioners from several countries, representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), international humanitarian organisations, and other local and international dignitaries.