The Finnish Red Cross helps those affected by the exceptional flooding in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is suffering from one of the worst floods in decades.  Cyclone Ditwah, which landed in the country in late November, caused heavy rainfall that led to flooding and landslides. The need for humanitarian aid in the country is immense.  

The tropical cyclone and the ensuing flooding have affected the lives of over two million people. Hundreds of people are missing or have lost their lives. More than 230,000 people are currently living in temporary shelters, and access to some areas is still cut off. In many places, there has been damage to buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure, or they have been destroyed entirely.

“The scale of this disaster is enormous. Sri Lanka is in dire need of both humanitarian aid and support for the reconstruction of the country,” says Head of International Emergency Operations Unit Marko Korhonen from the Finnish Red Cross. 

The Finnish Red Cross is allocating EUR 300,000 from its Disaster Relief Fund to the emergency aid operation  of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to mitigate the consequences of the disaster. Through this emergency aid operation,  The Red Cross is providing clean water, food, washing facilities, shelter, healthcare services and support for restoring people’s livelihoods, among other things.

Additionally, the Finnish Red Cross has dispatched an aid worker to Sri Lanka to support the communications of the emergency aid operation.

Climate change increases damage caused by tropical cyclones

Recently, exceptionally strong tropical cyclones have affected people around the world, in places such as Jamaica and Southeast Asia. Climate change is making tropical cyclones more powerful, as warmer  seawater increases rainfall and accelerates wind speeds. Additionally, rising sea levels heighten the risk of flooding in coastal areas.

The Red Cross supports early warning systems across the globe, helping to alert people to impending disasters in time . 

“In the future, it will become increasingly important to prepare for extreme weather events, which are expected to worsen as a result of climate change. Early warning systems and preparedness plans  can mitigate the impact of disasters, save lives and protect livelihoods and  property,” says Climate Change Specialist Paula Uski from the Finnish Red Cross.