Qatar Charity Launches Emergency Relief for Cyclone Ditwah Victims in Sri Lanka

Qatar Charity

In a humanitarian response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, Qatar Charity (QC) has initiated an emergency relief project funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and supported by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Colombo.

The intervention comes after severe flooding and landslides left widespread destruction across the various provinces of the country.

The event was attended by Charge d' Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ali Salem Al Nuaimi, and Director of Qatar Charity's office in Sri Lanka Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, alongside several government and community representatives.

The project aims to meet the urgent needs of affected families. Qatar Charity's field teams have begun distributing 1,800 food baskets, containing dry goods, canned items, flour, and rice, to families who lost homes and belongings in the floods that swept through most provinces, forcing thousands to seek refuge in schools, mosques, and higher ground.

In coordination with the Disaster Management Center, Qatar Charity is also providing essential equipment and tools for search and rescue operations, strengthening local authorities' capacity to respond to the cyclone's aftermath and future emergencies.

According to the data from the Disaster Management Center (released Dec. 6, 2025), the disaster claimed 607 lives, left 204 people missing, and affected more than 586,464 families (approximately 2,082,195 individuals). It completely destroyed 4,164 homes and partially damaged 67,505 homes, particularly in the Central Province and the Eastern Province.

Director of Qatar Charity's office in Sri Lanka, Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, emphasized that this urgent response reflects Qatar Charity's humanitarian mission to support vulnerable families regardless of race, color, or religion. He noted that the intervention underscores Qatar and QFFD's commitment to global solidarity.

Disaster and Emergency Relief Researcher at QFFD, Aisha Saad Al Jassim stated: "Our support for this project reaffirms QFFD's commitment to standing with communities affected by natural disasters worldwide. We believe that humanitarian solidarity is a moral duty, and delivering urgent aid helps alleviate suffering and restore hope."

This initiative builds on Qatar Charity's longstanding role as a key humanitarian partner in Sri Lanka. Over the years, it has implemented numerous relief and development projects, including food basket distributions, fertilizer support for farmers, and medical interventions, in addition to launching social initiatives to meet the needs of families affected by disasters.

(QNA)