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.
| Pays/région | Thème | Période | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sri Lanka |
Aide d'urgence et protection
Assistance matérielle
|
03.12.2025
- 30.06.2026 |
CHF 450’000
|
- Le Corps suisse d’aide humanitaire
- • SHA • NGO Sarvodaya
-
Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE INTERVENTION D'URGENCE
Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE Assistance matérielle et services d’urgence
Type d'aide Mise en œuvre directe par la DDC
Numéro de projet 7F11673
| Contexte | 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. |
| Objectifs | The overall objective is to provide immediate lifesaving assistance and support recovery efforts in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. |
| Groupes cibles | Vulnerable population in Sri Lanka affected by the cyclone “Ditwah” |
| Effets à moyen terme |
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. |
| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus: • 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. Principaux résultats antérieurs: N/A |
| Direction/office fédéral responsable |
DDC |
| Partenaire de projet |
Partenaire contractuel |
| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs | Disaster Management Centre (DMC), NGO Sarvodaya, UN-Agencies, red cross family |
| Budget | Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF 450’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF 25’500 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 450’000 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF 0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 450’000 |
| Phases du projet | Phase 1 03.12.2025 - 31.01.2026 (Phase en cours) |
