Colombo: As Southeast Asia grapples with weeks of catastrophic flooding and landslides, Christian communities across Sri Lanka are stepping forward with urgent humanitarian assistance for those devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. The cyclone, which struck the island nation on 27 November, unleashed torrential rains that triggered deadly landslides, dam failures, and widespread destruction.
The broader region stretching across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia has witnessed a rising death toll of nearly 1,300 people due to cyclone-driven floods. Sri Lanka alone has recorded more than 300 deaths, with over 200 people still missing, making this one of the country’s most severe natural disasters in recent memory.
Government authorities have declared a nationwide state of emergency as rescue teams battle difficult conditions. According to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Centre, an estimated 20,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 100,000 residents have sought refuge in emergency shelters set up by civil defense forces. Large sections of the population have been left without electricity and running water.
Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Sri Lanka, described the devastation as overwhelming. “The country is under water. We are witnessing immense suffering and families who have lost absolutely everything,” he told the Vatican’s Fides news agency.
The eastern provinces, including areas surrounding the heavily damaged Mavil Aru dam, bore the brunt of the cyclone’s force. Colombo and other major economic hubs have also suffered extensive losses. More than 24,000 military and police personnel are engaged in search and rescue operations, though many communities remain unreachable due to damaged roads and submerged terrain.
Fr. Fernando emphasized a united national effort, praising the collaboration between state institutions, faith-based groups, and citizens. “Across Sri Lanka, people of goodwill are coming together to ease the pain of the victims,” he said.
Christian parishes, religious congregations, and Catholic institutions have opened their facilities to house displaced families. Caritas Sri Lanka has activated its nationwide network, mobilizing volunteers in dioceses and parishes to distribute food, drinking water, clothing, and hygiene essentials. These efforts, Fr. Fernando noted, are being carried out “without distinction of ethnicity, language, or religious background.”
In addition to Catholic initiatives, Protestant and independent Christian communities have also launched relief drives, ensuring that emergency support shelter, medical care, and essential supplies reaches those in hardest-hit regions.
Beyond immediate physical assistance, Christian leaders are also offering emotional and spiritual support to survivors. Fr. Fernando highlighted the importance of compassion during such traumatic moments. “A gesture of kindness or a moment of listening can bring immense comfort. Human warmth becomes a visible sign of God’s love in these dark times,” he said.
As Sri Lanka begins the long process of rebuilding, faith-based organizations remain on the front lines, offering both hope and tangible support to thousands who now face the daunting task of starting over.