This initiative was launched just days after Cyclone Ditwah to rapidly capture road and bridge infrastructure damage across the country and support the subsequent rebuilding effort. It began as a volunteer-driven effort, with 3 people working closely with RDA officials to gather

#Malayagam #CycloneDitwah #DisabilityInclusion #LeaveNoOneBehind #InclusiveDisasterManagement #SriLankaRelief #CommunitySolidarity #LNOB @GlobalShapers @AsiaSociety

Compassion is not just a word; it is defined by action, particularly when communities are isolated, vulnerable, and waiting for the world to notice them. GenUth remains committed to the principle that no one should be left behind, even in the most inaccessible corners. (5/6)

where approximately 22 families are currently sheltering. Relief rations were distributed to allow for communal cooking, an approach that efficiently supported every household while preserving dignity. (4/6)

road was badly cracked and damaged. To ensure help reached every family, the team, traveling in 5-6 three-wheelers, had to unload the supplies and carry rations on foot. Following the disaster, the residents were safely relocated to the Choicey Divisional Secretariat office (3/6)

Upon arrival, the team learned that this was the first relief support the community had received since the devastating landslides. For days, some residents had attempted the near-impossible journey to neighboring estates in search of food and aid, as the main access (2/6)

GenUth connected with a grassroots focal point where a volunteer team recently visited Choicey Estate, an area locally known as "Karunai Kal" or the "Stone of Compassion," nestled between Punchi Wattha and Niuangamdora estates. (1/6)

Our volunteers they successfully reached households that had received no prior relief or were unable to access aid due to mobility, communication, or health-related barriers. (7/7) #DisabilityInclusion #HumanitarianLogistics #MalayagamCommunity @GlobalShapers @AsiaSociety

This reminds us that vulnerability is often invisible; people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with limited mobility are disproportionately cut off during disasters, waiting for help that cannot reach them due to terrain, landslides, and collapsed infrastructure. (6/7)

multidimensionally vulnerable. In estate communities like Weddamulla and Murukku Ramboda, these are daily realities, compounded by inaccessible roads, disrupted livelihoods, and limited access to water, healthcare, and disability support. (5/7)

This challenge occurs in a district already facing high vulnerability. According to the UNDP Sri Lanka Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) 2023, Nuwara Eliya ranks among the districts with the highest vulnerability, with 66.7% of residents classified as (4/7)

by volunteers, underscoring the intense physical effort needed for humanitarian logistics in this terrain. These demanding areas are locally known by names such as Kairu katti and Punchiwattha, which vividly describe their inaccessible nature. (3/7)

The team identified 15 people with disabilities in an estate located between Weddamulla and Murukku Ranboda. Reaching this group presented an extreme challenge, requiring a local facilitator to guide volunteers along a narrow path. All aid items had to be physically carried (2/7)

Lillis Island (The Last Mile Challenge): Accessibility and Evacuation in Kothmale During our support mission with the Centre for the Advanced Learning of Mindfulness in #Kothmale highlighted the immense logistical barriers to delivering aid to the most isolated residents. (1/7)

that guarantees not just safety but also stability and dignity. There is a strong call for planned resettlement that prioritizes access to livelihoods, schools, and essential facilities for these communities. (8/8) #CycloneDitwah #HumanRightsDay @GlobalShapers @AsiaSociety

Concerns are high regarding the potential loss of community ties, higher travel costs to work, and children losing access to vital education. As Human Rights Day is marked, the hope remains that every estate resident hoping for resettlement will receive a plan (7/8)

The challenges continue... On 10 December, Punchi Wattha residents were asked to evacuate immediately. However, relocation involves far more than merely moving people, it’s about protecting their future. (6/8)

carried dry rations by hand. This effort is more than just relief work, it was a reunion of humanity, demonstrating that dedication can overcome insurmountable paths. Their compassion ensured the most vulnerable families received essential aid when they needed it most. (5/8)

With roads completely severed by the disaster, accessing the estate requires a grueling 5km to 7km walk. Supported by our donors and partner the Centre for the Advanced Learning of Mindfulness, a team led by David Princely our Community Volunteer, a group of 20 volunteers (4/8)

Many areas remain cut off, and the full extent of the loss in Vevandant is still under assessment. The community at Punchi Wattha Estate, where 40-45 families live in tightly packed line rooms, was rendered dangerously isolated. (3/8)