I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving celebration yesterday.
It is not quite so for Sri Lanka, the island nation, which is currently reeling under severe weather disasters caused by intense rainfall, flooding, and landslides linked to Cyclone Ditwah.
It is not quite so for Sri Lanka, the island nation, which is currently reeling under severe weather disasters caused by intense rainfall, flooding, and landslides linked to Cyclone Ditwah.
The human toll and destruction have been devastating. As of recent reports, 334 people have died, another 334 remain missing, and 300,967 families and homes have been damaged or destroyed across multiple districts.
Thousands of families have lost their homes, livelihoods, or basic access to shelter, clean water, food, and safety.
Schools and public offices have been closed, communities displaced, and urgent humanitarian needs (shelter, food, medical aid, and child-care support) are growing rapidly.
Many people, families, and children across the island are reaching out to me, pleading for help. While I can do little on my own, I am confident that together, we can accomplish much.
Thousands of families have lost their homes, livelihoods, or basic access to shelter, clean water, food, and safety.
Schools and public offices have been closed, communities displaced, and urgent humanitarian needs (shelter, food, medical aid, and child-care support) are growing rapidly.
Many people, families, and children across the island are reaching out to me, pleading for help. While I can do little on my own, I am confident that together, we can accomplish much.
Let us rise together, therefore, to respond with compassion and concrete help, for now is the time to do so.
