GENEVA

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Friday warned of a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, where Cyclone Ditwah has triggered deadly floods and landslides affecting more than 1.5 million people.

"In Sri Lanka, Cyclone Ditwah brought unprecedented rainfall, triggering catastrophic flooding and landslides across all districts," John Entwistle, the IFRC head of country cluster delegation for South Asia, told reporters in Geneva via online. "More than 1.5 million people have been affected, with hundreds of lives lost and thousands displaced."

He said over 3,500 Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers were deployed within hours to conduct rescue operations, distribute essentials and reach isolated communities despite damaged roads and bridges.

To scale up operations, the IFRC has launched a 5 million Swiss franc (over $6.2 million) emergency appeal, alongside 1 million Swiss francs already released from its disaster fund, he noted.

Assistance will include water and sanitation, health services, psychosocial support and cash aid.

Entwistle described "heartbreaking" scenes during a recent field visit, with families sleeping in schools and makeshift shelters after losing everything, but also moments of solidarity from volunteers and local residents.

The crisis extends beyond Sri Lanka, he added, with 3.2 million people affected by floods in Indonesia, where the IFRC is also supporting relief efforts.

Entwistle urged urgent funding, stronger coordination, overcoming access challenges, and long-term investment in climate resilience.

"We cannot do this alone," he concluded.