The Ministry of Defence has directed District Secretaries to expedite the release of disaster relief allocations, after it was revealed that only 30% of the funds disbursed for rehabilitation and reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah have been utilized to date.
According to the state-owned newspaper Silumina, Treasury reports show that the National Disaster Relief Services Centre released Rs. 86.7 billion between January and July 2026 for compensation payments and infrastructure development in flood‑ and landslide‑affected areas. However, just Rs. 26.4 billion, about 30%, has been spent, leaving Rs. 60.3 billion still unused.
In a letter dated August 12, the Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management Division instructed District Secretaries to ensure the remaining 70% is released to beneficiaries without delay.
The report also highlighted slow progress in resettlement efforts. Of Rs. 1.05 billion allocated for relocating affected families, only Rs. 190 million (18%) had been spent by July 31, leaving Rs. 868 million (82%) unutilized.
Officials stressed the need to accelerate resettlement programmes and infrastructure development, noting that an additional Rs. 1.94 billion in allocations is expected to be provided.
Meanwhile, immediate relief measures have seen stronger progress. By July 31, 85% of Rs. 7.6 billion released for urgent assistance to disaster‑hit communities had already reached beneficiaries.
Authorities emphasized that timely disbursement of funds is critical to restoring livelihoods and rebuilding infrastructure in areas devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. (Newswire)