EU, UNDP back Sri Lanka disaster plan

 The Government of Sri Lanka, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new initiative to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster risk management systems, supporting a shift towards more proactive, coordinated and risk-informed preparedness and anticipatory action.

The 24-month ‘Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Disaster Risk Management Framework’ project is funded by the European Union through its Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and implemented by UNDP in Sri Lanka together with the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Defence, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), and Save the Children International.

The project was announced at its inception workshop recently, bringing together representatives of key Government institutions, the European Union, UNDP and national stakeholders and development partners to review the initiative’s objectives, planned activities and implementation arrangements, and ensure alignment with national and institutional priorities.

Sri Lanka remains highly exposed to recurrent climate-induced hazards, including floods, landslides, cyclones, extreme rainfall, droughts and coastal hazards. Recent disasters have reinforced the importance of strengthening coordination and preparedness, translating early-warning information into timely action, and ensuring effective systems are in place from the national level through to communities.

The new initiative will address these challenges through a dual approach, strengthening the policy, institutional and operational foundations of disaster risk management at the national level while developing and testing a government-led model for preparedness and anticipatory action at the sub-national level, complementing other ongoing projects.

At the national level, UNDP will work with the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Defence, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the National Disaster Relief Services Centre and other relevant institutions to strengthen coordination and operational preparedness. The initiative will support a review of Sri Lanka’s disaster risk management legal, institutional and coordination arrangements; strengthen standard operating procedures and warning-to-action mechanisms; and integrate anticipatory action more systematically into disaster risk management systems.

Highlighting the leadership of the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Defence, Mahinda Gunaratne, Director General-Planning stated “while emergency response and relief remain essential, experience has shown that we must also place greater emphasis on anticipating risks, preparing in advance and ensuring that early warnings lead to appropriate and timely action. Effective disaster risk management requires more than the efforts of any single institution. It depends on clear institutional responsibilities, strong coordination mechanisms, effective operational procedures and the active participation of communities at the local level.”

Adding to this, from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Pradeep Kodippili, Director-Training and Awareness stated, “This project presents an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to further strengthen its disaster preparedness systems. Through technical support provided under the initiative, we will review existing disaster risk management arrangements, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and enhance preparedness capacities at both national and local levels. The project will also support practical interventions in selected communities, enabling us to identify lessons and good practices that can contribute to strengthening preparedness efforts across the country.”

At the sub-national level, the project will develop and pilot a consolidated, government-led disaster risk management model designed for wider use across Sri Lanka. Working in the Badulla and Matara districts, with local government, schools and communities, the initiative will strengthen preparedness planning, early-warning dissemination, coordination mechanisms, simulation exercises and early action, while generating lessons that can inform wider application across Sri Lanka.

Save the Children International will lead implementation of the sub-national component, supporting the development, piloting and institutionalization of the local disaster risk management model and working with district and divisional authorities, schools, communities and other local stakeholders.

The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 3,260 community members in the two pilot locations and engage approximately 3,200 government officials and technical personnel nationwide. Particular attention will be placed on making disaster preparedness gender-responsive, age-sensitive and disability-inclusive, including through accessible risk communication and more inclusive preparedness planning.

Commenting on the EU’s support to Sri Lanka, Seuwandi Yapa, Program Manager-Cooperation Section, Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka noted, “For the European Union, disaster preparedness is a critical investment in protecting lives, livelihoods and development gains. Through DG ECHO, the EU supports efforts to strengthen preparedness, improve risk-informed planning and promote anticipatory approaches that enable authorities and communities to act before a crisis escalates.”

Adding to this, Marina Ten, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka highlighted, “Recovery from Cyclone Ditwah offers an opportunity not only to rebuild, but to strengthen the systems that protect communities from future disasters. With the European Union’s support, UNDP is working alongside government partners and Save the Children International to translate lessons from recovery into practical reforms clarifying institutional responsibilities, strengthening coordination and improving local preparedness and early warning systems. Our focus is on lasting, nationally owned solutions that reach the most vulnerable communities and embed resilience in Sri Lanka’s development.”

The initiative will also strengthen the link between national policy reform and practical experience at the local level. Lessons emerging from the two pilot areas will feed into national coordination and policy processes, while national guidance and reforms will be translated into practical preparedness measures locally. The project is designed to work through and strengthen existing government systems rather than establish parallel structures.

By connecting institutional reform with practical preparedness at the community level, the initiative aims to contribute to a more proactive, inclusive and resilient disaster risk management system, helping Sri Lanka better anticipate future shocks, reduce disaster risks and protect vulnerable communities.