Tripoli:The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Marc-André Franche, met with the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence to discuss emergency response and disaster resilience.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the discussions focused on the United Nations’ support for Sri Lanka’s emergency response and early recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. This includes assistance provided under the Humanitarian Priorities Plan and future support to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience.

The meeting also highlighted key lessons from the response to Cyclone Ditwah, such as the necessity for stronger impact-based early warning systems, improved inter-agency coordination, equitable relief delivery, and local preparedness and disaster management mechanisms. There was also an emphasis on the need for enhanced preparedness to address potential impacts of El Niño, including climatic, water scarcity, and associated socio-economic risks.

The UN Re
sident Coordinator reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives. This support will focus on enhancing resilience to climate-related and weather-related hazards in collaboration with relevant national agencies.

The Defence Secretary expressed appreciation for the United Nations’ ongoing cooperation with Sri Lanka and stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration in disaster preparedness, response, and resilience building.

Also present at the meeting were Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd), Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), and Mr. Chathura Liyanarachchi, DMC Director of preparedness and planning.