On 28 November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka, triggering severe flooding and landslides and rapidly escalating into a major humanitarian emergency. More than 2 million people have been affected, with widespread damage to homes, health facilities, and critical infrastructure, leaving communities without access to essential services.

Women and girls are among those most at risk. An estimated 22,572 pregnant women and more than 520,000 women of reproductive age have been affected by the cyclone. With hospitals and clinics damaged or overwhelmed, many women are unable to access life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, increasing the risk of unassisted deliveries, pregnancy complications, and unmet family planning needs.

Currently, tens of thousands of people are living in temporary evacuation shelters. Overcrowding, poor lighting, lack of privacy, and shared sanitation facilities significantly heighten the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly for adolescent girls, older women, and persons with disabilities. Survivors urgently need access to safe spaces, confidential care, and psychosocial support.

How UNFPA Is Responding

UNFPA, in close coordination with national authorities and humanitarian partners, is delivering urgent, life-saving support to women and girls affected by Cyclone Ditwah. This includes:

• Emergency maternal and newborn care, including safe delivery support.
• Sexual and reproductive health supplies, including dignity kits.
• GBV prevention and response services, including survivor referrals and case management.
• Psychosocial support to help women and girls cope with trauma and loss.

Why Your Support Matters

Humanitarian needs continue to rise, and resources are urgently required to sustain and scale up these essential services. UNFPA is appealing for US$8.3 million to deliver life-saving SRH, GBV prevention and response, and psychosocial services across the 10 most affected districts of Sri Lanka.

Your contribution helps safeguard the health, rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls during this crisis. It enables UNFPA and partners to reach those most at risk, preventing further loss of life and ensuring essential care continues when it is needed most.

Take Action Now

The need is urgent, and the impact is real.

By donating today, you can help ensure safe births, protect women and girls from violence, and provide critical health and psychosocial services in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

Every donation - no matter the amount - helps women and girls survive, recover, and rebuild their lives.