Sri Lanka, Dec. 14 -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a USD 8.3 million humanitarian appeal to provide urgent assistance to women and girls affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka.

The cyclone made landfall on November 28 and has impacted more than two million people in all 25 districts, damaging homes and health facilities and displacing hundreds of thousands. In the aftermath, women and girls face increased risks due to disrupted access to sexual and reproductive health services, heightened exposure to gender-based violence, and growing mental health concerns.

UNFPA estimates that around 520,000 women of reproductive age have been affected, including over 22,500 ...