After Cyclonic Storm Ditwah unleashed its destructive force recently, the extent of the damage to infrastructure and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people is now emerging.

Father Basil, National Director of Missio in Sri Lanka, recently gave this update on what is an ongoing situation:

‘The entire country has been devastated, and the damage is three times greater than that caused by the 2004 tsunami. Roads, houses, railway lines and bridges have been destroyed.

‘A mudslide has destroyed the lives of many people who now have to start from scratch. It’s a new beginning; they have to roll up their sleeves and start again.

‘The mud has swallowed everything in the remaining houses: household appliances, books, clothing – everything is unusable. People are desperate; they suddenly find themselves with only the clothes on their backs. It’s truly heartbreaking.’

What happens next

Fr Basil goes on to say: ‘Now the focus is on trying to clean the houses and there’s the problem of survival and meeting basic needs.

‘Agriculture and fishing have suffered severe damage: vast tea plantations and other farmland have been destroyed and thousands of farmers and fishermen, who represent a significant part of the national economy, are facing the struggle for survival.

‘With all this, one must acknowledge the government’s extraordinary commitment: families are being offered subsidies, and rescue and emergency teams – some of whom have come from abroad – are deployed throughout the country.’

‘Everybody is ready to help’

Amid the devastation, our Church partners are responding – working to bring practical help and hope wherever they can. Fr Basil continues:

‘There is a widespread mobilisation; everyone is ready to help. Young volunteers in particular are active in various regions of the country, especially in the hardest-hit areas, such as the dioceses of Badulla and Kandy in the centre of the island.

‘This is a spirit that warms suffering hearts. The Church’s commitment to supporting the faithful in difficult times, the Bishop of Badulla, Jude Nishantha Silva, has been incredible and it has visited several parishes to offer comfort and demonstrate tangible support by bringing essential supplies.

‘Many other priests and religious are doing the same. Alongside other Church agencies, the Pontifical Mission Societies [Missio] are also committed to supporting families. We are all providing resources for those who have lost everything.’

Celebrating Advent: Hope in a time of despair

Despite the monumental challenges, Fr Basil sends this message of hope:

‘We are experiencing this Advent Season as a special time of solidarity and charity. We are united, in spiritual communion, and we also feel the closeness of Pope Leo XIV. We are grateful that he remembered us in the Angelus on 7 December. He carries us in his heart and expresses his solidarity with us and prays for us; this is great encouragement for us.

‘We are approaching Christmas, a time of hope. We pray and believe that this will be a moment of rebirth and new hope for the future for Sri Lanka.’

You can help

Thank you for standing alongside communities in real need this Advent. Your prayers, donations and support are so vital to missionaries and their communities.

Help bring hope this year by:

• Praying for our sisters and brothers in Sri Lanka and across south Asia as they work to rebuild their lives
• Donating to support our missionary partners. Click here to give>>