DITWAH cyclone – 2025 November – Humanitarian Services by ST JOHN SL from 28.11.2025
ST JOHN SRI LANKA (STJ SL) under the motto of “for the service of mankind” mobilized our volunteers & available Ambulances & other facilities to provide humanitarian services including Medical & emergency care. STJ SL with a good name of true volunteerism with an almost 120 years’ service in Sri Lanka with human resource network covering all 25 Districts commenced Emergency care services since 28th November 2025.
Work plan Stage 01
1. Emergency Medical Care & life saving measures 1. During this stage we have mobilized our teams to approachable areas to rescue affected people to escort them to Safety Camps. Commenced on 28th November 2025 from 04 affected Districts. NHQ provided 02 Ambulances with basic equipment’s.
2. Emergency Care Centers were established in Safety Camps with basic examination equipment’s & medicines.
i. Basic care was given for minor injuries (wounds) & minor medical ailments.
ii. STJ SL members were informed to talk to the affected people to relieve their anxiety & build up stable mind.
iii. Team members were given opportunity to communicate with STJ Medical Doctors via video call to get necessary medical advice when ever needed.
iv. People with Major medical conditions were transferred to nearest Hospital by STJ SL Ambulances.
v. Examining affected peoples Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar especially people with High blood pressure & Diabetes Mellitus.
3. Essential day to day life needs
i. Most of the well-wishers provided drinking water & cooked food during this crisis period & our team helped to distribute food & drinking water.
ii. There is a demand for cloths as they have left all cloths at affected buildings & STJ SL team is searching to find solution for this.
iii. Families with child need Pampers for Kids & adults with disabilities (incontinency).
iv. Need to provide Sanitary towels for females.
v. Finding Medicines for people those who were taking long term Medicines for illnesses.
This should be handled with the help of Health authority in local area (MOH).
* stage 01 is the more critical & essential stage in Emergency care services following disasters. STJ SL is trying maximum to make this stage more effective & productive.Stage 02 1. Mobilizing back to original residences
i. STJ SL teams will help to organize & clean peoples flood affected houses.
ii. Special help will be given to reestablish their water sources by cleaning water wells by STJ teams
iii. Special help will be offered to reestablish living conditions of people with disabilities.
iv. Schooling children will be given necessary help to reorganize their educational materials
v. Our teams will motivate people with long standing illnesses to attend their outpatient clinics in hospitals to avoid missing follow up & developing complications. (Due to depression, they might give up concern about their own health)
2. Working for the Mental wellbeing of affected people
i. Following disasters it is well known that PTSD & depression is common among affected population & as a responsible team STJ will try to organize or guide them to get Psychological help including counselling.
ii. Whenever need arises STJ SL will involve with prevention programs to minimize illegal drug usage among these psychologically affected people.
iii. Whenever possible STJ SL will try to provide good leisure activities & other personality development programs for the Teenagers & youths to overcome mental distress.
St John Sri Lanka hoping to continue humanitarian services with the help of ST JOHN FAMILY.
