Sri Lanka is in the midst of one of the worst natural disasters in the country's modern history.
Massive torrential rains, landslides and widespread flooding have so far affected over 1,7 million people, and over 635 people have died. The situation is described by our local partner ADIC as worse than the 2004 tsunami in scope and consequences.
During the morning, our Secretary General Johanna Davén was interviewed on TV4's Nyhetsmorgon about the situation in the country and the need for long-term support.
Children and families in our areas hard hit
In several of the areas where we work, families have been forced to evacuate and are now living in temporary shelters, often in schools. Many communities remain isolated due to destroyed roads and bridges.
Cultivated land has been washed away and parents who live on daily wages are now completely without a livelihood.
UNICEF estimates that over 275,000 children are directly affected.
Johanna described the situation this way in the interview:
“It is a huge disaster that has affected over 1,7 million people. In several of the areas we and ADIC work in, families are living in evacuation centers, communities are isolated, and many children are without safety, schooling, and clean water.”
How we work together with ADIC in the disaster
The efforts are being implemented through our long-standing partner ADIC, which has staff and volunteers in the middle of the affected communities. They:
- supports evacuated families
- identifies urgent needs
- reaches isolated areas where aid is limited
- helps children and families with security and basic needs
The long-term presence is now showing its full strength.
“Through our long-standing partnership with ADIC, there is a huge network of volunteers and local leaders who can act quickly even when the power is out and the roads are broken. This is exactly why long-term partnerships are so important when a crisis strikes.”
A long recovery awaits and our work continues
For many families, recovery will take a long time. Homes, schools and roads must be rebuilt, and many have lost their entire livelihood.
But recovery is about more than infrastructure.
“We know that communities can be rebuilt, but it takes time. After disasters, the risk of trauma, alcohol use and domestic violence often increases. We and ADIC have extensive experience in this area, and our work is just as important in recovery as in emergency response.”
IOGT-NTO Movement has been working in Sri Lanka for over 50 years, and we continue to stand by the community through the crisis and reconstruction.
👉 Here you can see the interview. Fast forward to 07.50 to see Johanna Davén.
👉 Read more about our work in Sri Lanka
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