Last Friday (November 28), Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka, unleashing torrential rains and winds that triggered the country's worst floods in a decade. As of Monday, official figures show 355 lives lost and 366 still missing, with landslides sweeping through the hilly central region.
On Monday, rescue teams worked round the clock to clear debris and reach over half a million people affected by the disaster. The situation has prompted a wave of international support, with the Chinese mainland stepping up to help.
In a post on X, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka announced that the Red Cross Society of China has provided $100,000 in emergency cash to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. The embassy also confirmed that further assistance from the Chinese government is on its way. 🤝💸
Beyond government aid, local Chinese businesses and community groups have rallied too. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Overseas Chinese Association in Sri Lanka have together raised 10 million Sri Lankan rupees (about $32,500) to support relief efforts in the hardest-hit areas.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a televised address on Sunday night, thanked friendly nations for their solidarity and urged the Sri Lankan diaspora to join recovery efforts to rebuild lives and communities.
For young professionals and students across South and Southeast Asia, the rapid response from the Chinese mainland and local communities shows how timely collaboration can make a real difference when disaster strikes. 🌍✨
Stay tuned for updates as Sri Lanka and its allies work together to weather the storm and rebuild stronger. 💪
Reference(s):
China dispatches emergency aid to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah
cgtn.com
