The World Bank has approved US$110 million in additional financing to repair and reconstruct approximately 600 kilometres of roads damaged by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.
The financing will support reconstruction of priority provincial and local roads, with emphasis on restoring access to markets, schools, health facilities and other essential services in badly affected communities.
The roads are to be rebuilt to improved climate-resilient standards, including better drainage and landslide-protection measures.
The additional financing is being provided through the International Development Association's Crisis Response Window.
It adds a new Cyclone Ditwah road-recovery component to the existing Inclusive Connectivity and Development Project.
With the additional financing, total World Bank financing under the project increases from US$500 million to US$610 million, while the project period is being extended by three years.
The programme is expected to directly benefit more than 830,000 people and reach close to two million people across eight target districts.
The World Bank also expects the reconstruction programme to reconnect nearly 22,000 tea, vegetable and paddy farmers with buyers and supply chains.
According to World Bank figures reported with the financing announcement, Cyclone Ditwah caused an estimated US$4.1 billion in overall damage, including approximately US$973 million in transport-sector damage.
The US$110 million is approved development financing for the road-recovery programme. It should not be described as cash compensation directly distributed to cyclone-affected households.