Poverty, food insecurity compounded by Ditwah

IFPRI-IWMI report finds that just before Ditwah, over one in four households were poor; one in three experienced food insecurity

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SRI Lanka's first nationally representative multi-thematic household survey has found that just before Cyclone Ditwah, more than one in four households are multidimensionally poor and one in three experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

The findings highlight the scale of social stress following the economic crisis and ahead of the full impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

The findings are from the Building Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Holistic Transformation (BRIGHT) Integrated Household Survey, designed and implemented by researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) under the CGIAR system.

The survey interviewed 6,850 households across all districts and provinces between November 2024 and March 2025, collecting data on incomes, livelihoods, agricultural production, food and water security, exposure to climate shocks, access to Government programs and nutrition outcomes.

Based on district-level expenditure poverty lines set by the Department of Census and Statistics, 18% of households were monetarily poor. However, multidimensional poverty was higher at 27%, reflecting multiple, simultaneous deprivations such as low living standards, limited education, and health constraints.

Experience-based food insecurity was reported by 33% of households, while 10% experienced water insecurity.

Household indebtedness was widespread, with 42% of households reporting they were in debt.