JETRO Teams Up with A-PAD SL to Support Communities Affected by Cyclone Ditwah
On behalf of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka, Mr. Hiroko Oi, Resident Representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), met with A-PAD Sri Lanka (A-PAD SL) team to formally hand over a cash donation to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Mr. Hiroko Oi noted that while Japanese-owned organizations and their facilities in Sri Lanka largely minimised damage caused by the cyclone, a substantial number of employees in these organizations experienced personal impacts. Discussions underscored the importance of mapping Japanese companies and employees across the country to enable more targeted support, enhance risk profiling, and strengthen preparedness planning.
During the meeting, A-PAD SL delivered a presentation outlining its ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts across Sri Lanka and explored potential areas for collaboration. Mr. Firzan Hashim, Country Director of A-PAD SL, shared field updates highlighting A-PAD’s response activities and support provided in highly disaster-prone and severely affected locations, including Biyagama, Mutur, Puttalam, and Gampola.
It was also noted that A-PAD prioritizes underserved communities that have received limited assistance. More planned interventions are currently moving into the implementation stage and are guided by government-identified needs, with a particular focus on the provision of school supplies ahead of school reopenings and the distribution of water filters in areas lacking access to safe drinking water.
Following discussions with the JETRO team, it was noted that the funds mobilized with the support of Japan-based organizations in Sri Lanka will be utilized to implement recovery and education-focused initiatives in affected communities. A-PAD Sri Lanka deeply appreciates the generosity and solidarity shown by the the Japanese business community and People of Japan, whose timely support contributes significantly to strengthening recovery efforts for communities impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.
About JETRO
The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a government-related organization that works to promote trade and investment between Japan and other countries. It supports Japanese companies operating overseas by providing market information, business connections, and investment support. JETRO also helps foreign companies invest in Japan. Through these activities, JETRO contributes to business resilience and economic stability, especially during challenging situations, by facilitating cooperation between Japanese companies and local partners.
