Around 374,000 workers in Sri Lanka have been affected by Cyclone Ditwah, according to a new study conducted by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The ILO estimates that this disruption could result in potential earnings losses of approximately US$48 million per month if affected workers are unable to return to work or secure quality employment elsewhere.
A newly released ILO brief detailed the severe economic and livelihood impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in Sri Lanka on November 26, bringing torrential rainfall and triggering landslides across large parts of the country.
The Northern and Eastern districts experienced the most severe flooding, while central regions, home to many tea plantations, were particularly affected by landslides.
The assessment used an innovative methodology, combining remote sensing data on flood extent, population distribution, agriculture, and night-time light intensity with labour force survey data. This approach provided a preliminary snapshot of the cyclone’s impact on livelihoods, aimed at informing both emergency response measures and medium-term recovery strategies.
According to the ILO, the agriculture and fisheries sectors were among the hardest hit. Up to 23% of rice-cultivating land was affected by flooding, while tea production losses could reach as high as 35%, based on preliminary estimates.
Given the scale of the damage, the ILO has called for urgent measures to restore livelihoods, including emergency cash assistance and the rapid rollout of employment-intensive recovery programmes that ensure decent working conditions.
In the short term, the organization recommends targeted sectoral support and assistance to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to help restore production capacity. These interventions should prioritise the most vulnerable groups, be conflict-sensitive, engage workers’ and employers’ organisations, and work closely with community stakeholders.
For the medium term, the ILO stressed the need to integrate lessons from Cyclone Ditwah into broader policy frameworks, improving coordination between wage protection systems, social protection, employment policies, and disaster risk management to strengthen resilience against future shocks.
