WHERE
Sri Lanka – Districts of Kandy and Kegalle
CONTEXT
In November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah severely struck Sri Lanka, causing floods, landslides, deaths and displacement, with serious damage to homes, community infrastructure and livelihoods. The districts of Kandy and Kegalle, characterised by rural communities heavily dependent on agriculture, were among the areas most affected.
Damage to water supply systems and irrigation networks, the destruction of crops and loss of income have worsened the vulnerability of families, compromising access to drinking water, food security and the well-being of communities.
The project intervenes in the emergency and post-disaster recovery phase, contributing to the restoration of essential services, the resumption of agricultural activities and the strengthening of community resilience.
OBJECTIVES
General objective
To contribute to the response to the emergency caused by Cyclone Ditwah in the districts of Kandy and Kegalle, supporting the restoration of essential services, livelihoods and living conditions of affected rural communities, through an integrated emergency and early recovery intervention.
Specific objective
To restore and strengthen access to essential services and livelihoods in affected communities, through the rehabilitation of water and irrigation systems, support for agricultural recovery and the promotion of resilient and sustainable production practices.
To strengthen the psychosocial well-being, protection and organisational capacity of affected communities, promoting community support mechanisms, access to specialised services, protection of rights and inclusive coordination in post-emergency recovery processes.
ACTIVITIES
- Restoration of access to water: repair and rehabilitation of community water supply systems, accompanied by awareness-raising activities on hygiene and safe water management.
- Rehabilitation of irrigation systems: restoration of canals, diversion structures and minor irrigation infrastructure, with training on system maintenance.
- Support for agricultural recovery: distribution of seeds and agricultural materials, training and technical assistance on ecological, climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.
- Psychosocial support and protection: awareness-raising activities, establishment and strengthening of community mutual support groups and training of volunteers and local leaders in psychological first aid.
- Access to services and protection of rights: facilitation of access to specialised services and assistance in replacing personal and legal documents destroyed during the disaster.
- Community strengthening: support for local committees and participatory mechanisms for coordination, monitoring and management of post-emergency recovery.
RESULTS
- Safe access to drinking water restored and hygiene and sanitation conditions improved in affected communities.
- Minor irrigation networks rehabilitated and made operational, facilitating the resumption of seasonal crops.
- Resumption of agricultural activities supported through the distribution of productive materials and training in sustainable and resilient practices.
- Food security strengthened and recovery of vulnerable families’ income promoted.
- Psychosocial well-being of affected people improved and community mechanisms for protection, mutual support and participation in recovery processes strengthened.
BENEFICIARIES
Direct: approximately 20,000 people, belonging to approximately 5,000 households.
Indirect: approximately 410,211 people, corresponding to the total population of the five administrative divisions concerned.
PARTNERS
Food First Information and Action Network of Sri Lanka (FIAN Sri Lanka)
Asia Lanka Social Development Cooperation (ALSDC)