Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Tuesday, 16 December 2025 02:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The World Bank Group yesterday said that it was making up to $ 120 million in emergency support available by repurposing funds from ongoing projects by request of the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the aftermath of Ditwah.
It said that this will support recovery and help restore essential services and infrastructure, including healthcare, water, education, agriculture, and connectivity, in the areas hit hardest by the cyclone.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, will continue to strengthen the private sector by providing advisory support and strategic investments in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing and logistics, including support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to create jobs and drive economic recovery.
Issuing a statement, the World Bank Group said it was deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. “Our thoughts are with the people who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, and with the communities now facing immense hardship. We commend the remarkable resilience shown by Sri Lankans in the face of this disaster and the Government’s swift action to save lives and launch recovery efforts.”
To guide recovery efforts, a Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) assessment is already underway in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction (GFDRR). This rapid assessment will provide credible estimates of disaster impacts to inform early decisions and help target response and recovery efforts.
The World Bank is also working closely with the Government as it plans the broader recovery, including the creation of the new ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund and the next phase of post-disaster needs assessments.
World Bank Group Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Gevorg Sargsyan said: “Our hearts go out to every Sri Lankan affected by Cyclone Ditwah. We are inspired by how communities across the country have come together to support each other during this difficult time. The World Bank Group is committed to helping Sri Lanka restore livelihoods, accelerate economic recovery, and rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.”
Looking ahead, the World Bank Group said it stands ready to work with the Government to mobilise additional resources based on the findings of the GRADE assessment and the financing requirements for recovery and resilient reconstruction. It said adjustments would also be made to future programs to accommodate the impacts of the crisis.
The World Bank Group reiterated its commitment to ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need in a timely, transparent, and effective manner. It said robust oversight mechanisms are being put in place in collaboration with implementing agencies and local authorities, while coordination with development partners will continue to maximise the impact of collective efforts and support Sri Lanka’s long-term recovery and rebuilding.
