Flood Recovery Sri Lanka: Relief for farmers

Hope After the Floods: Reviving Farms in Udawalawe

Background

Following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, farming communities across Sri Lanka, including our project areas in Udawalawe, experienced significant losses. Widespread flooding destroyed crops, disrupted livelihoods, and left many families, who depend on seasonal harvests, without a stable source of income.

Immediate Impact

The cyclone caused extensive damage to agricultural lands, with some farmers reporting crop losses exceeding 80%. Floodwaters inundated both cultivated lands and paddy fields, washing away months of effort and investment. The destruction of paddy fields also contributed to a temporary shortage of rice in certain areas.

Response & Support

In the immediate aftermath, efforts were made to support affected farmers in resuming their livelihoods. Key interventions included:

• Assisting farmers in replenishing lost saplings and restarting cultivation
• Providing support to cover essential needs during the recovery period
• Ensuring farmers were able to prepare their lands in time for the next planting cycle

Through these efforts, many farmers who experienced severe losses have now begun re-cultivating their fields.

Current Situation

Post-cyclone, recovery is gradually underway:

• Farmers who lost a significant portion of their crops have successfully replanted and resumed farming activities
• Flooded paddy fields have been restored, and with the support of government interventions, the broader rice shortage has been mitigated
• A number of affected farmers continue to actively engage with our programs, demonstrating resilience and commitment to rebuilding their livelihoods

Ongoing Support

We continue to work closely with these farming communities to ensure:

• They remain on track for the current and upcoming farming seasons
• They do not miss critical planting windows
• Their harvests are supported in reaching the market at fair and competitive prices

Our approach remains focused on both immediate recovery and long-term sustainability.

Long-Term Outlook

The support extended during this period has strengthened trust and goodwill within the community. This has created a stronger foundation for continued collaboration, enabling us to expand and deepen our work in community development, agricultural resilience, and overall wellbeing in the Udawalawe region.

With the help of GlobalGiving, we were able to raise funds that aided these communities during this calamity. We hope to continue monitoring these farms and help them in anyway we can!

Links:

• Visit our homepage to learn more about Trunks & Leaves' work