MRC Sri Lanka Relief Fund Closes After Raising Over MVR 204,000

The Maldives Red Crescent (MRC) has officially closed the MRC Sri Lanka Relief Fund after raising a total of MVR 204,220.67 (USD 4,697.20) to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.

MRC said it launched the fund on 1 December and concluded it last Saturday to provide emergency humanitarian assistance. The organisation confirmed that it has fully utilised all contributions in line with the fund’s stated objectives.

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According to MRC, the fund has undergone a full audit, and the organisation has completed all financial reporting in accordance with its internal requirements and international transparency standards.

MRC thanked individuals, organisations and donors who contributed to the appeal, saying their support enabled the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities in Sri Lanka.

Reports published during the crisis by Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror said Cyclone Ditwah left 607 people dead and 214 missing, while more than two million people from over 586,000 families were affected after the cyclone struck on 16 November. Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre reported that 4,164 homes were completely destroyed and a further 67,505 sustained partial damage.

The newspaper also reported severe impacts on Sri Lanka’s tea industry, with damaged machinery expected to take months to repair as it must be sent overseas. According to the Colombo Tea Traders Association, damage to roads is also likely to delay the distribution of tea exports.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the Maldives emerged as one of the largest contributors to Sri Lanka’s relief efforts, with combined government and public donations exceeding USD 2.4 million, placing the country among the top international donors.