Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sept. 23 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Mr. Marc-Andre Franche, met the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence today (23 September).
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the United Nations' support for Sri Lanka's emergency response and early recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, including assistance provided under the Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP), and future support to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience.
The discussion also covered key lessons from the Ditwah response, including the need to strengthen impact-based early warning systems, inter-agency coordination, equitable relief delivery, local preparedness and disaster management mechanisms, as well as enhanced preparedness to address the potential impacts of El Niño, including possible climatic, water scarcity and associated socio-economic risks.
The UN Resident Coordinator also reiterated their readiness to continue supporting Sri Lanka's disaster preparedness and response efforts, including measures to enhance resilience to climate-related and weather-related hazards, in close coordination with relevant national agencies.
The Defence Secretary appreciated the United Nations' continued cooperation with Sri Lanka and emphasised the need to further strengthen collaboration in disaster preparedness, response, and resilience building.
Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd), and DMC Director- preparedness and planning Mr Chathura Liyanarachchi were also present at the occasion.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
