Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath today accepted US$ 2.5 million grant assistance from the Government of Japan.

The Foreign Minister received the grant from Akio Isomata, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka to support ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

This was followed by prompt deployment of a Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team and provision of emergency relief material to Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also thanked the government and people of Japan for the continuous support extended to Sri Lanka during challenging times.

According to the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, the emergency grant, approved by the Government of Japan on December 16, will be implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in response to the extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Through the IOM, Japan will provide assistance amounting to US$ 1 million for 615 shelter kits, including kitchen kits, wash kits, and bedding kits, for severely affected households in Kandy, Badulla, and Kegalle, the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka said.

Through the WFP, Japan will provide US$ 1 million in emergency food assistance to support households residing in safety shelters in Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Kegalle, the four most affected districts. Under this assistance, households will be able to purchase essential food items.

In addition, through UNICEF, Japan will provide assistance amounting to US$ 500,000 for water, sanitation, and child protection, targeting severely affected areas in the Central, Uva, Eastern, Western, and North Western Provinces. This support will contribute to ensuring safe water and preventing infectious diseases in evacuation centres by supplying emergency water and sanitation materials, repairing malfunctions in water supply facilities, and promoting hygiene practices to prevent waterborne diseases.

Minister Herath expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for this timely assistance and further commended the Government of Japan for its continued support, including the earlier provision of emergency relief goods through JICA, as well as the dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team.

Ambassador Isomata emphasized that this assistance reflects the strong bond of trust and friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka and underscores Japan’s unwavering commitment to supporting the people of Sri Lanka in times of need. He reaffirmed that Japan stands in full solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as they face this difficult period.

Following the meeting with Minister Herath, Ambassador Isomata held a media briefing session together with Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator; Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission of IOM; Emma Brigham, Representative of UNICEF; and Philip Ward, Representative of WFP.

The briefing highlighted Japan’s comprehensive assistance and its close collaboration with the United Nations system in supporting the people of Sri Lanka in need, the Embassy said.