12/22/2025
In a humanitarian response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, Qatar Charity (QC) has initiated an emergency relief project funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and supported by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Colombo. The intervention comes after severe flooding and landslides left widespread destruction across the various provinces of the country.
The event was attended by Mr. Ali Salem Al-Nuaimi, Chargé d' Affaires at the Embassy, and Mr. Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, Country Director of Qatar Charity’s Sri Lanka Branch, alongside several government and community representatives.
The project aims to meet the urgent needs of affected families. Qatar Charity’s field teams have begun distributing 1,800 food baskets, containing dry goods, canned items, flour, and rice, to families who lost homes and belongings in the floods that swept through most provinces, forcing thousands to seek refuge in schools, mosques, and higher ground.
In coordination with the Disaster Management Center, Qatar Charity is also providing essential equipment and tools for search and rescue operations, strengthening local authorities’ capacity to respond to the cyclone’s aftermath and future emergencies.
According to the data from the Disaster Management Center (December 6, 2025), the disaster claimed 607 lives, left 204 people missing, and affected more than 586,464 families (approximately 2,082,195 individuals). It completely destroyed 4,164 homes and partially damaged 67,505 homes, particularly in the Central Province and the Eastern Province.
Mr. Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, Country Director of Qatar Charity’s Sri Lanka Branch, emphasized that this urgent response reflects Qatar Charity’s humanitarian mission to support vulnerable families regardless of race, color, or religion. He noted that the intervention underscores Qatar and QFFD’s commitment to global solidarity.
Ms. Aisha Saad Al-Jassim, Disaster and Emergency Relief Researcher at QFFD, stated: “Our support for this project reaffirms QFFD’s commitment to standing with communities affected by natural disasters worldwide. We believe that humanitarian solidarity is a moral duty, and delivering urgent aid helps alleviate suffering and restore hope. We will continue working with partners like Qatar Charity to ensure assistance reaches those most in need and to empower communities to recover, rebuild, and strengthen their resilience against future challenges.”
Several beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude. Mohamed Sharif Mohamed Nirus said the food aid restored hope after floods destroyed his home and livelihood, while Amina Ibrahim described the assistance as a “lifeline” for families who lost everything.
This initiative builds on Qatar Charity’s longstanding role as a key humanitarian partner in Sri Lanka. Over the years, it has implemented numerous relief and development projects, including food basket distributions, fertilizer support for farmers, and medical interventions such as eye surgeries. Previous efforts also included delivering 2,500 food baskets to flood-affected families and providing chemical fertilizers to around 3,500 small-scale farmers.