Singapore, 1 December 2025 – Severe monsoon rains, tropical storms and cyclones have triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, causing the loss of lives, mass displacements, destruction of homes and severe damage to critical infrastructure.
In response, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has committed SG$50,000 to support urgent relief and recovery efforts for affected communities by each of five National Societies - the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia PMI), Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS), and Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRCS), amounting to a total of $250,000 in support for all five countries.
“Communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are enduring the devastating impact of climate-driven disasters. Thousands of families have lost homes, livelihoods, and access to necessities. Our sister national societies are on the frontlines delivering critical aid, and the Singapore Red Cross remains committed to standing with them.” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO, Singapore Red Cross.
Escalating Regional Climate Impact
Across Southeast and South Asia, extreme weather has devastated communities, displacing thousands, destroying homes, damaging critical infrastructure, and claiming hundreds of lives, leaving families and entire communities in urgent need of support.
In Indonesia, continuous heavy rainfall from late November triggered devastating floods and landslides, cutting off major roads and causing deaths, with further rain and heightened flood risks forecast in the coming months. Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are also grappling with widespread flooding and storm damage due to the persistent monsoon rains, overflowing rivers, and multiple typhoons.
PMI, MRCS, TRCS and VNRC are actively responding on the ground. Through their provincial and district chapters, they are coordinating closely with local authorities to operate relief centres, assist with evacuations, deliver urgent aid including food, water, and essential supplies, support cleanup operations, and conduct search and rescue in the hardest-hit areas. TRCS has also been coordinating with local authorities in Hat Yai to assist communities, including tourists from Singapore stranded in flood-stricken areas.
Severe Impact in Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst weather disasters in years. Torrential rains, floods, and Cyclone Ditwah have destroyed over 20,000 homes, displaced more than 100,000 people into temporary shelters, and left at least 159 dead, with over 200 still missing. A third of the country remains without electricity or running water as power lines collapsed and water supply systems were affected. Communities remain vulnerable, and urgent support is needed to provide lifesaving aid and help families recover from this unprecedented event.
In response, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has activated emergency operations through its network of 25 branches, deploying Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRTs) to support rescue operations, provide first aid, distribute relief items, and assess urgent community needs. Volunteers are working around the clock, standing with the most vulnerable families as the crisis unfolds. SRC stands ready to support the SLRC in its emergency and disaster relief response operations and will be launching a public fundraising appeal to support relief and recovery efforts in Sri Lanka.
Photos by Sri Lanka Red Cross and Thai Red Cross Society