The Silent Crisis After Cyclone Ditwah: Displacement, Protection Risks, and the Cost of Waiting

When the floodwaters recede and the immediate threat passes, the world often turns its attention elsewhere. Yet, for the communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the disaster did not end with the storm. Instead, it transitioned into a silent crisis—a protracted period of displacement and vulnerability where the risks to human protection, particularly for the most marginalized, multiply with every passing day. While the initial humanitarian response was swift and successful in saving lives, the subsequent delay in the transition to recovery has created a fertile ground for social and protection risks to flourish [1]. 

When Disasters Don’t End with Floods

The sheer scale of the initial impact—1.2 million people affected and over 129,000 homes damaged—necessitated a massive emergency effort [1]. This phase, characterized by the provision of food and immediate shelter, was critical. However, the current situation, nearly two months after the cyclone, reveals a profound failure to pivot from emergency relief to sustainable protection and recovery. The funding data itself tells a story of misplaced priorities: while the Protection sector is nearly fully funded at 97.9%, the systemic issues that create protection risks—namely, the lack of shelter and livelihoods—are critically under-resourced [1]. This paradox means that while the capacity to respond to protection incidents exists, the underlying drivers of vulnerability are being ignored, ensuring a steady stream of new crises. 

Displacement Statistics and Living Conditions

The most visible sign of the stalled recovery is the persistent displacement. While the peak number of displaced persons has dropped from 233,000, a staggering 177,000 individuals remain displaced [1]. Of these, 19,000 are still housed in 205 safety centers [1]. These centers, often temporary structures like schools, were never intended for long-term habitation. The prolonged stay in these cramped, communal settings fundamentally erodes the dignity and safety of the residents. 

The Situation Report highlights the critical lack of a medium-term exit strategy for these populations [1]. The inevitable closure of safety centers located in educational facilities, necessary for the resumption of schooling, is already leading to secondary displacement [1]. Families are forced to seek temporary lodging with host families or in inadequate private arrangements, losing the minimal security and access to services provided by the centers. This constant movement and uncertainty is a direct threat to the stability and protection of families, making them more susceptible to exploitation and further hardship. 

Protection Risks in Safety Centres

The safety centers, while providing a roof, are incubators for protection risks. The report notes that in some centers, family units are not separated for prolonged periods, which is contrary to recommended practice and increases the risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other forms of abuse [1]. The lack of privacy is a pervasive issue, affecting everything from basic hygiene to the ability of women to breastfeed with dignity [1]. 

Furthermore, the report underscores the need for continuous support for the mental health and psychosocial well-being of the displaced. While services have been provided, the sheer duration of the crisis and the trauma of displacement mean that the need for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is immense and ongoing [1]. The inability to return home and resume livelihoods creates a constant state of stress, which can manifest in domestic violence, child neglect, and other social pathologies. The report specifically mentions the need to address the vulnerability of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities and transgender people, who face heightened barriers to accessing services and are at greater risk of violence and discrimination [1]. 

Impact on Children’s Education and Psychosocial Wellbeing

Children are bearing a disproportionate burden of this silent crisis. The disruption to the education system is profound, with 1,382 schools affected [1]. The use of schools as safety centers, while necessary, has delayed the return to normalcy for hundreds of thousands of students. The report details the need for essential learning materials for 458,609 school-age children [1]. 

Beyond the physical damage, the psychosocial impact is alarming. The report emphasizes the need for continued support for children's mental health and psychosocial support, including the provision of child-friendly spaces and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities [1]. The trauma of the cyclone, coupled with the stress of prolonged displacement and the loss of routine, can have long-lasting developmental consequences. The delay in returning to school is not just an educational setback; it is a protection risk, as schools provide a safe, structured environment and a critical mechanism for identifying and responding to child protection concerns. 

Economic Stress and Family Separation

The economic fallout from the delayed recovery is a major driver of protection risks. The 0% funding for Agriculture and Livelihoods and the surge in vegetable prices by 30-200% are creating immense financial pressure on families [1]. This economic stress is a known precursor to negative coping mechanisms, including child labor, early marriage, and family separation. 

The inability of parents to secure income and provide for their families undermines their protective role. The report notes that the lack of safe and dignified livelihood opportunities limits the possibilities for children and families to resume normalcy [1]. This is compounded by the data gaps and manual systems that are delaying the distribution of cash assistance, leaving families without the financial lifeline they desperately need [1]. The cost of waiting is measured not just in dollars, but in the disintegration of family structures and the increased exposure of children and women to harm. 

Why Early Recovery Delays Worsen Protection Outcomes

The link between the stalled early recovery and worsening protection outcomes is undeniable. The failure to fund and implement sustainable solutions in the Shelter/Land/Site (44.4% funded) and Early Recovery (16.7% funded) sectors is the root cause of the prolonged vulnerability [1]. 

The delay in site safety assessments by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) means that families cannot return to their homes, perpetuating the displacement crisis [1]. As long as families are displaced, they are exposed to the risks inherent in communal living. The lack of funding for debris removal and the restart of local economies means that the physical and financial environment remains hostile to a safe return. Protection is not just about responding to incidents; it is about creating an environment where people can live in safety and dignity. By failing to invest in the structural components of recovery—shelter, livelihoods, and economic stability—the system is effectively guaranteeing the continuation of the protection crisis. 

Policy and Programmatic Priorities for Government and Donors

To transition from this silent crisis to a sustainable recovery, the government and donors must adopt a protection-centered approach that prioritizes structural solutions over temporary fixes. 

First, there must be an immediate, fully funded plan to end prolonged displacement. This requires fast-tracking the NBRO assessments and launching a robust, dignified transitional shelter program that provides a clear exit from the safety centers [1]. The Shelter/Land/Site sector must be fully funded to provide the physical security necessary for protection. 

Second, the Livelihoods and Early Recovery sectors must be treated as protection priorities. The 0% funding for Agriculture and Livelihoods must be corrected immediately [1]. Investing in the economic stability of families is the most effective way to reduce negative coping mechanisms and the associated protection risks. 

Third, the MHPSS and Child Protection services must be scaled up and integrated into the recovery framework. This includes ensuring that the psychosocial support provided is culturally appropriate and accessible to all, especially those in remote areas and marginalized groups [1]. The restoration of the education system, including the provision of safe, clean, and well-equipped schools, is a non-negotiable protection measure. 

The cost of waiting is the human cost of prolonged suffering, increased vulnerability, and the potential for irreversible harm. The time for emergency relief is over; the time for a decisive, protection-centered recovery is now.

 

References

[1] UN Sri Lanka – Cyclone Ditwah Situation Report No. 05 (as of 9 January 2026).