Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on Friday. More than 200 roads are still blocked, at least ten bridges have been damaged, and parts of the railway network are unusable. According to reports, around a third of the population has no access to electricity or clean water. In many districts, entire villages are cut off from the outside world.
FAIRMED's projects in Jaffna and Kilinochchi have also been affected by the disaster. Our team on the ground was therefore asked by the government if we could provide people with tarpaulins, mosquito nets, mats, mosquito coils, candles, food, insulation foil, and bed sheets. This will ensure that even those most severely affected receive urgently needed aid.
Healthcare system overburdened
According to the United Nations, the country's already weak healthcare system is under severe pressure. Numerous hospitals in several districts remain flooded and can only operate to a limited extent. Authorities are also warning of an impending food crisis: flooded fields, destroyed storage facilities, and disrupted supply chains could lead to supply shortages and rising prices in the coming weeks.