The United Arab Emirates has formally conveyed its profound sympathy and solidarity with the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the wake of a catastrophic cyclone that inflicted severe damage across the island nation. Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on Friday, November 28, 2025, has resulted in a significant humanitarian crisis, with official reports confirming 69 fatalities and 34 individuals still unaccounted for.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued an official statement expressing heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, while simultaneously reaffirming its support for the Sri Lankan government and citizens during this period of national tragedy. The cyclone’s impact has been exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, including torrential rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters within a 24-hour period, which triggered devastating landslides and widespread flooding.
Sri Lankan defense forces have initiated large-scale rescue operations to reach hundreds of residents stranded by rapidly rising floodwaters. The natural disaster has caused substantial infrastructure damage and displaced thousands of citizens from their homes, creating urgent needs for emergency shelter and humanitarian assistance. The UAE’s message of international solidarity highlights the importance of global cooperation in addressing climate-related disasters and supporting affected communities through recovery efforts.