ADB rolls out emergency grants as floods sweep Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka

ADB president Masato Kanda recently announced that the bank would provide emergency grant assistance of up to US$3 million for Sri Lanka, $2 million for Thailand, and $2 million for Vietnam, following formal requests submitted by the three governments.

In a statement, Kanda conveyed his deep sympathy for the severe impacts of the recent flooding and underscored ADB’s commitment to supporting immediate relief efforts as well as the early stages of community recovery in the affected countries.

“The governments and people of Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam can rest assured that the ADB will support emergency relief and community reconstruction," Kanda was cited as saying in the statement.

“We will work quickly and closely with governments to bring shelter, comfort, and hope to those affected by the disaster."

The assistance will be financed through the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, which offers rapid financial support to developing member countries for urgent, life-saving needs in the aftermath of major natural hazard events.

The grants will be directed toward emergency operations and humanitarian support.

According to ADB, the recent floods have resulted in significant loss of life and widespread damage to homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure across parts of South and Southeast Asia.

Since its establishment in 1966, the Asian Development Bank has grown to 69 members, including 50 from Asia and the Pacific.

The lender has become one of the region’s key multilateral development institutions, working with governments and partner groups to address a broad range of development challenges.

Severe flooding across Asia

Providing an update on December 2, World Meteorological Organization spokesperson Clare Nullis reported that record rainfall and flooding linked to a series of tropical storms have claimed hundreds of lives, caused extensive destruction, and forced mass displacement across several Southeast Asian countries.

She noted that Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam were among the nations most severely affected.

“The problem arises when monsoon-related rainfall combines with tropical cyclone activity. Asia is highly vulnerable to flooding,” Nullis said.