December 8, 2025– An MSF emergency team is in Sri Lanka now actively assessing needs following the widespread flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The Government of Sri Lanka has declared a nationwide state of emergency, confirming that all districts in the country have been severely affected.
In Colombo, MSF is working together with locally led organisations to distribute hygiene kits to evacuated people in four emergency shelters around the capital. We have already donated 500 non-food item kits, and will donate 250 maternity kits and 400 dignity kits.
In Badulla, one of the most severely affected areas, a 7-person team specializing in health care, logistics, and water and sanitation is on the ground to identify longer term needs in rural areas.
Our teams are also preparing for the arrival of 1,000 winterised family tents and 1,000 items of plastic sheeting.
Disasters like these can affect continuity of care as well as people’s access to essential medicines for non-communicable and other diseases. Mental health care is a concern for MSF and it is also critical that people can access clean water to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.
https://youtu.be/HH_FBScdGOI
The sheer scale of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across the country is unbelievable, but we’ve seen an incredible response to this natural disaster from Sri Lankans themselves. We’re supporting local organizations responding to immediate needs, and have a team assessing some of the hardest hit areas as we see how we can best help people get back on their feet.
David Croft
MSF emergency coordinator in Sri Lanka
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Delivery of winterized tents to Disaster Management Center
December 14, 2025 – Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) continues its humanitarian response to the devastating floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has affected over 1.8 million people across Sri Lanka. MSF is working closely with local partners to address urgent needs in hygiene, shelter, and healthcare.
MSF has delivered 1,000 winterized family tents and 1,500 heavy-duty plastic sheets to the Disaster Management Center on 14 December 2025. These tents are specially designed to provide safe, warm, and durable shelter for displaced families, particularly in colder regions. The tents will help protect vulnerable populations from exposure to harsh weather conditions and reduce the risk of illness.
https://youtube.com/shorts/3w1_iLC21x0?feature=share