Sri Lanka Situation Report #1 - November 2024

A deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal on the east coast of Sri Lanka, intensified into Cyclonic storm ‘Fengal’ by November 27, 2024. This caused heavy rainfall, strong gusty winds and rough sea conditions, triggering floods, landslides, and severe weather-related incidents across nine provinces. A total of 475,225 persons were directly affected by the recent floods, with 17 deaths reported as of December 2.

The widespread displacement, disruption of social services, and breakdown of support networks have heightened protection needs for vulnerable groups, including women, adolescent girls, persons with disabilities, and older persons. Inadequate shelters, poor sanitation facilities, overcrowding, and shortages of water, electricity, and essential commodities have increased the risk of gender-based violence for women and girls. Damaged public facilities, such as markets and shops, have further limited access to daily hygiene items, restricting women's and girls' mobility and their ability to access humanitarian assistance.

At the request of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, UNFPA mobilized and distributed 869 dignity kits, 748 maternity kits, and 1,500 adolescent kits with support from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). UNFPA is procuring an additional 2,000 dignity kits, 1,000 maternity kits, and 1,000 adolescent kits to be deployed under the ongoing Humanitarian Project supported by the Government of Japan’s Supplementary Budget.

Currently, there is a funding gap of US$200,000, primarily needed to provide urgent psychosocial support services for women and young people, implement risk mitigation and response to GBV, and provide cash assistance to older persons and persons with disabilities. However, given the extent of damage and the significant impact on the livelihoods of women farmers and single-headed households, the demand for support is expected to rise substantially following the rapid needs assessment planned by the United Nations Inter-Sectoral Coordination Group.