Overview
In November 2025, significant weather events including cyclones, flooding and landslides impacted Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. This followed significant devastation in Vietnam and the Philippines from typhoons, flooding and earthquakes throughout October and November 2025.
More than 1,300 people across the region are estimated to have died and there have been severe impacts on communities and local infrastructure.
Sri Lanka
After making landfall on 27 November 2025, Cyclone Ditwah caused catastrophic damage, bringing heavy rain, landslides and flooding across Sri Lanka. Over 600 people are reported to have lost their lives and more than two million people have been affected.
Australia's humanitarian response
Australia announced an initial contribution of $1 million in humanitarian assistance for Sri Lanka on 30 November 2025 and a second contribution of $2.5 million on 3 December 2025. This includes:
- $1 million for Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) World Vision and Save the Children to provide emergency food, water and basic needs, child protection and psychological support services, and emergency education activities
- $1.5 million for the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide immediate humanitarian relief for 88,500 people
- $1 million for UN agencies (UN Population Fund – UNFPA – and UN Office for Project Services – UNOPS) working with civil society partners to provide life-saving support for communities, particularly women and girls.
Support is being provided for women and girls including through specialist sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services. Our partners are supporting mobile clinics, dignity kits and supplies and health information sessions in safety centres.
Australia contributes to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). The DREF provides rapid funding to national societies to deliver lifesaving assistance immediately following a disaster. The DREF has allocated CHF1 million (approximately AUD1.9 million) to respond to Cyclone Ditwah.
Australia also contributes to the UN's Central Emergency Fund (CERF), a global fund that enables humanitarian partners to provide life-saving support and protection to people in need through rapid response when a new crisis emerges, and critical support to underfunded crises. The CERF has allocated USD4.5 million (approximately AUD6.7 million) to respond to Cyclone Ditwah.
How you can help
The Australian Government is monitoring the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and consulting with humanitarian agencies.
Managing donations of goods often increases the burden on local relief authorities and creates costs for affected countries in transport, warehousing and distribution.
The most effective way Australians can help is to give a cash donation to an Australian NGO working to provide support for Sri Lanka.
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) factsheet Overseas Emergencies & Responsible Donating provides suggestions for how people can contribute during overseas emergencies.
Media releases and statements
4 December 2025 Australia commits over $14 million to support Indo-Pacific disaster response. Joint media release with Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and The Hon Anne Aly MP, Minister for International Development.
Travel advice and consular assistance
Australian Government travel advice for Sri Lanka can be accessed on the Smartraveller website.
Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) and +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).
Australians can also subscribe to Smartraveller for the latest travel advice and updates.
