The Japanese government has decided to provide an emergency grant of US$2.5 million to Sri Lanka in response to the severe humanitarian situation caused by recent cyclone-related disasters, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegiannounced on Tuesday.
The grant will be channeled through international aid agencies to support humanitarian assistance efforts, including the provision of food, daily necessities and other essential relief items for affected communities.
Landslides and flooding triggered by a cyclone that struck Sri Lanka in late November have resulted in the deaths of more than 600 people, causing widespread damage and displacement across several parts of the country.
Speaking at a press conference, Minister Motegi said Japan would continue to extend “seamless support to our long-time friend, Sri Lanka” to ensure the earliest possible recovery and reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas.
He also noted that a Japanese disaster relief medical team returned home earlier on Tuesday after providing approximately 1,250 medical treatments over a period of about two weeks in Sri Lanka.
