HOW WE HAVE BEEN USING YOUR FUNDS
Follow this link for a daily update on how your donation is being used.
LIVELIHOOD RECOVERY FUND LAUNCHED
We invite you to direct any further support toward our Livelihood Recovery Fund
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, the immediate emergency response following Cyclone Ditwah is now fully funded. Nearly $350,000 AUD was raised through public giving, enabling Palmera to meet critical needs during the first 24 days—the most urgent period following the devastation.
As we moved into Christmas and looked ahead to the weeks that followed, it became clear that the crisis was not yet over. Families remain in temporary shelters, some estate communities have still not received emergency assistance, and groups such as persons with disabilities have been largely left out of the initial response. These needs remain urgent.
In response to this continued gap, and following a further call for support, we received an unexpected and deeply generous additional contribution from supporters, for which we are profoundly grateful. This has enabled us to respond to the next wave of emergency needs over the coming weeks.
At the same time, we have now launched our Livelihood Recovery Fund to support families who have lost income, assets, and stability, and who now face the long road of rebuilding. If you are able to support this next phase of recovery, your contribution will make a meaningful difference.
A government report released just before Christmas outlines the needs over the next two weeks, as well as the medium-term recovery requirements over the next one to four months. Click here to view the report.
UPDATE
Thanks to your incredible generosity, this appeal has grown far beyond what we first imagined. When we launched on the 28th of November, our goal was $15,000 AUD. But as the scale of the devastation became clearer and the needs poured in, we increased the target day by day.
As of the 4th of December, we have already crossed $200,000 AUD. The needs have been immense, and while we didn’t know what would be possible when we first began, we are now confident that, with you holding our hand, we can reach even more communities.
There are heavily impacted areas like Vaharai in Batticaloa, and with the landslides, districts such as Kurunegala and Kegalle are now also in need of urgent support. Alongside this, we can extend our reach to other vulnerable groups: people living with disabilities, women experiencing high levels of violence, and other targeted communities who are often left out.
So today, December 15th, we are boldly increasing our appeal to $350,000 AUD.
Your support is allowing us to stand with families who have felt the full impact of Cyclone Ditwah and to ensure help reaches those who need it most.
Over the past few days, Cyclone Ditwah has brought severe rains, flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka. More than 70 lives have been lost, several people remain missing, and thousands of families have been displaced. Homes have been damaged, roads cut off, and entire communities are now struggling to access basic necessities.
For many of the villages we work with, this disaster sits on top of already-fragile foundations. Families who were just managing to rebuild their lives are now facing another setback — one they cannot carry alone.
At a time like this, immediate, practical support matters. It protects families through the worst days and gives them the stability they need to start again.
What Your Support Will Help Us Do
Your contribution will go directly towards reaching families who are currently most affected:
- Food rations for families cut off from road access
For villages isolated by landslides or flooded roads, we will deliver essential food items until access is restored. - Food rations for shelters housing displaced families
Many families are staying in temporary shelters for safety. Your support will provide dry rations and basic items they need during this period - Tarpaulins and emergency protection for damaged homes
For households whose roofs or structures have been compromised, we will supply tarpaulins and protective materials to prevent further damage and loss. - Support for other immediate emergency needs
Including clean water containers, hygiene items, basic medicines, and temporary shelter support, depending on conditions on the ground
Why This Matters
In emergencies, it is the most vulnerable who are hit the hardest. Timely assistance can prevent a difficult situation from becoming far worse, especially for families already living on the edge.
Our local teams are closely monitoring needs in the affected districts and are ready to respond quickly and responsibly.
How You Can Help
Every contribution, no matter the size, enables us to reach one more family with immediate, essential support. Sharing this appeal with others can help us widen our response even further.
Together, we can ensure that families facing this crisis are not facing it alone, and that they have what they need to get through the days ahead with dignity.