Emergency Relief for Pungudutivu: Supporting Families Displaced by Cyclone Ditwah

Following the extreme weather impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, communities in the Northern Province faced sudden flooding and displacement. One of the severely affected areas was Pungudutivu Village, located under the Velanai Divisional Secretariat in the Jaffna District.

Many families were forced to leave their homes due to rising water levels and unsafe living conditions, seeking safety until the floodwaters recede.

Supporting 40 Families Through Immediate Relief

A total of 40 families have been displaced by the floods in Pungudutivu and are currently taking temporary shelter at Pungudutivu School. With limited access to essential supplies during displacement, timely intervention was critical to ensure families remained safe, nourished and supported.

To address these urgent needs, Vanni Hope provided emergency flood relief, coordinated directly with local community members to ensure every family received immediate assistance.

Meeting Urgent Needs During Crisis

Displacement left families without access to food, clean drinking water and basic household necessities. Vanni Hope’s rapid support provided families with essential supplies required for day-to-day survival while they navigate this difficult transition.

This assistance is part of Vanni Hope’s broader response to Cyclone Ditwah across multiple districts in Sri Lanka, ensuring that affected communities receive care, dignity and support during a period of disruption and uncertainty.

Recovery Continues

While immediate relief has stabilised the situation for the 40 displaced families, the recovery process is ongoing. Families remain sheltered at Pungudutivu School, and continued support will be needed as the community works towards rehabilitation, rebuilding and restoring normal life.

Vanni Hope remains committed to monitoring the situation and supporting further recovery efforts as part of our ongoing emergency response work across the island.

If you would like to contribute to our Cyclone Ditwah Emergency Appeal and support families like those in Pungudutivu, you may donate using the form at the bottom of this page.

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Medical Response

Vanni Hope medical team responded quickly to support the Divisional Hospital, Pungudutivu with essential emergency medical supplies in response to the recent flood disaster. The team ( led by Northern Coordinator Muralitharan assessed the situation and discussed the  key challenges faced by the hospital, and the need for urgent assistance to manage the increased number of emergency and primary care cases. Required medical equipment and supplies was provided 

Due to the heavy impact of the floods on the local community and the hospital’s limited capacity, immediate support was provided for uninterrupted patient care. 

Empower Serendib director Dr. Naj Nagendran provided the required financial support and led the team effort.