The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$ 3 million disaster-relief grant for Sri Lanka to support ongoing recovery operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The bank has also sanctioned US$ 2 million each for Thailand and Vietnam — both of which were severely impacted by extreme weather events.

The grant decision was announced by Masato Kanda, President of ADB, following formal requests for assistance from the affected governments. Commenting on the approval, Kanda said: “I am deeply saddened by the suffering caused by these devastating floods. The governments and people of Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam can rest assured that ADB will provide assistance to help save lives and rebuild communities.”

Funds will be drawn from ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), which is designed to deliver fast-tracked grants for life-saving operations immediately following major natural disasters. The support will target emergency humanitarian efforts, including relief, shelter, and reconstruction, aiming to bring relief and hope to affected communities.

The grant comes at a time when flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread loss of life, and battered homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods across Sri Lanka and other severely affected Southeast Asian countries.

Founded in 1966, ADB remains a leading multilateral development bank committed to sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific by working with member countries and partners to address development challenges.