Cyclonic Storm Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on 27 November 2025, triggering one of the most severe weather-related disasters the country has experienced in recent decades. The cyclone brought intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and landslides, affecting all 25 districts and impacting more than 2 million people nationwide.
In response to the unfolding humanitarian situation, the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka (A-PAD SL) mobilised its network and reached out to partners and donors to address urgent life-saving needs. Recognising that access to safe drinking water was essential, A-PAD SL prioritised the mobilisation of household and community water filtration systems.
In response to this appeal, Aquabox generously donated 360 Family Water Filters and 20 Community Water Filters, enabling A-PAD SL to plan a rapid, needs-based clean water response for cyclone-affected communities. Airlink extended its support in facilitating the transportation of cargo through its airline partners.
It was only a matter of days from receiving the request for help for A-PAD SL before the shipment was collected by delivery partner AirLink. This proactive approach ensured that all requirements were met and that the goods were released without any delays.
“On behalf of A-PAD SL, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the entire Aquabox team for your generous donation of water filters.
We are pleased to share that the water filters have been successfully distributed to flood-affected households in the Puttalam District who currently lack access to safe and clean drinking water. The response to this intervention has been overwhelmingly positive.
The filters were highly praised by both local authorities and beneficiaries for being user-friendly and manually operated, especially as many flood-affected areas experienced continuous electricity disruptions and, in some cases, complete power outages during the floods. In this context, we also conducted a practical training session for beneficiaries prior to distribution to ensure correct usage and long-term effectiveness of the filters.
Local authorities greatly appreciated the initiative and emphasized how important and useful the water filters will be in supporting affected families during this difficult period. Most importantly, the beneficiary families expressed deep gratitude, as the filters will make an immediate and meaningful difference to their daily lives by ensuring access to safe drinking water.
Your timely support has helped us address a critical need in the aftermath of the floods, and we are truly thankful for Aquabox and Airlink standing with us in solidarity to support vulnerable communities.
Once again, thank you for your trust, partnership, and continued commitment to humanitarian support.”
Raeesha Ikram
Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management