Sri Lanka reels as Cyclone Ditwah sparks major humanitarian emergency, leaves 2.75 lakh children in crisis- The Week

As Sri Lanka faces the aftermath of one of its worst natural disasters in the past two decades, the country is reeling under a severe crisis, fighting hard to carry out rescue and relief operations. The flooding and landslides in various places across Sri Lanka have affected over 2.75 lakh children, plunging the country into an urgent humanitarian crisis.

According to UNICEF Sri Lanka, among the 1.4 million people affected, there are over 2,75,000 children who need urgent help. “With communications disrupted and many areas inaccessible, the actual number of affected children may be significantly higher. UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the destruction the cyclone has caused to children and the vital services they depend on for their safety and well-being. We stand in solidarity with families who have suffered losses and displacement and extend our deepest condolences to those mourning loved ones,” said Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative in Sri Lanka.

UNICEF, in a statement, has said that the children urgently need help. “It is a race against time to reach the most vulnerable families who direly require lifesaving services. The severe damage to homes and vital infrastructure, along with the disruption of essential services, has caused widespread displacement and increases the risk of disease outbreaks, malnutrition, unsafe living conditions, and severe emotional distress among children,” she added.

The statement from UNICEF Sri Lanka also said that it is coordinating closely with the government, national authorities, and partners to assess the situation and has initiated life-saving support to respond to the urgent needs of children and families in the hardest-hit districts.

According to aid agencies and the NGOs working in Sri Lanka, the cyclone has deepened the struggles of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable communities, who are still reeling from successive shocks, including the 2022 economic crisis. According to a World Bank 2025 report, poverty has more than doubled since 2019, rising from 11.3 per cent to 24.5 per cent. For millions of families, life remains unaffordable, with basic needs increasingly out of reach.

On December 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over the phone and assured India’s continued support under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, which was launched to help the island nation, as it continues to deal with the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, India had helped evacuate over 70 nationals from the affected areas. The IAF aircraft have helped in rescuing nationals of Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

India was the first to respond to Sri Lanka’s call for help. As per its neighbourhood first policy, India sent immediate assistance; from INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, and MI-17 helicopters to assist people with relief items and rescue operations.