December 04, Colombo (LNW): The Asian Development Bank has unveiled a fresh package of emergency assistance for countries battered by the recent bout of extreme weather in South and Southeast Asia.
Sri Lanka is set to receive roughly US$3 million to bolster its disaster-response efforts in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, while Thailand and Viet Nam have each been allocated around US$2 million to help them cope with widespread flooding and the disruption left in the storm’s wake.
ADB President Masato Kanda confirmed the support after regional governments appealed for urgent help. He expressed deep concern for communities whose homes and livelihoods had been swept away, noting that the bank would work hand-in-hand with national authorities to deliver immediate relief and to steady the path towards recovery.
According to Kanda, the priority is to ensure that affected families regain access to safe shelter, essential supplies, and a sense of security as quickly as possible.
The money will be channelled through the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, a mechanism designed to release rapid-fire grants to developing members facing acute humanitarian needs following natural calamities.
Officials say the fund has been activated to accelerate life-saving interventions—ranging from temporary housing to emergency medical support—in areas where floodwaters have erased roads, damaged power lines, and isolated villages.
Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting floods have caused heavy casualties and widespread devastation across Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia, with rescue teams continuing to navigate treacherous conditions to reach stranded residents.
Local authorities report that the scale of the destruction may take weeks to fully assess, and early estimates suggest significant rebuilding will be required in both urban centres and rural districts.
