Zonta Club I of Colombo supports women recovering from flood disaster following Cyclone Ditwah

The Zonta Club I of Colombo, Sri Lank,a is supporting women affected by severe flooding following Cyclone Ditwah through relief and recovery initiatives aimed at rebuilding livelihoods and advancing climate justice.

Recognizing that women often face greater challenges after climate-related disasters, the club mobilized members to provide both immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance to affected communities.

As part of its immediate response, the club distributed more than 700 meals and 60 dry ration packs to families in need. Nonfood items, including bedding, mosquito nets, sanitary supplies and baby items, were also provided to approximately 150 individuals displaced by the flooding.

In the recovery phase, the club focused on helping women rebuild their livelihoods. Members traveled to Kala Wava to meet beneficiaries and provided sewing machines, fabric and other materials to seven women entrepreneurs who had lost their means of income during the disaster. The women also received training to support their businesses. Many of the beneficiaries are single mothers and sole breadwinners supporting three to four children.

The club also assisted 14 women farmers whose crops were destroyed by flooding by providing 560 fruit-bearing plants to help them restart their agricultural livelihoods. The initiative aligns with the club’s environmental policy to reduce its carbon footprint, which includes a pledge to plant a tree for every 10 kilometers members travel for club projects.

Relief efforts were supported through partnerships with Caritas Sri Lanka, World Vision Lanka and Humedica International, which provided medical supplies for emergency medical centers serving people displaced to schools and temporary shelters.

Through these collaborative efforts, the initiative not only supported affected communities but also helped raise awareness of Zonta’s work, as partner organizations shared the project across their social media networks and recognized the club’s contributions.