Search and rescue training in swift water Sri Lanka

CBI Member Network

Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka (A-PAD Sri Lanka)

A-PAD Sri Lanka Website
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Emergencies responded

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People reached

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Mobilized

Data reported by A-PAD Sri Lanka from January to March 2025

OVERVIEW

RISK PROFILE

Sri Lanka’s risk profile is characterized by persistent economic vulnerabilities alongside growing exposure to climate-related hazards. While the economy has stabilized following recent reforms and debt restructuring, challenges remain in reducing poverty, restoring debt sustainability and maintaining macroeconomic stability. Climate change is expected to increase risks from flooding, droughts, heat stress and extreme weather events, with potential impacts on agricultural productivity, infrastructure, livelihoods and long-term economic growth.

The Asia-Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka (A-PAD Sri Lanka) enables the Sri Lankan private sector to engage faster and more efficiently in national disaster management strategies. It is part of the National Disaster Management Coordinating Committee (NDMCC) and works with over 700 companies and more than 100 NGOs and government partners, including the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). A-PAD Sri Lanka supports coordination in disaster risk reduction and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, while also facilitating capacity building efforts in Sri Lanka. More specifically, A-PAD Sri Lanka’s work complements the government’s efforts by creating effective public-private partnerships and institutionalizing business continuity planning, thus strengthening community and business resilience. The organization also facilitates civil-military coordination in humanitarian response.

Over the years, A-PAD Sri Lanka has:

  • Sent out early warning messages to its member companies and the public ahead of impending disasters;

  • Coordinated private sector contributions to address natural hazards and manmade disasters, including flooding, drought, landslides, urban fires, disease outbreaks and violence; 

  • Conducted internationally accredited Search & Rescue (SAR) training sessions for civil-military personnel; 

  • Strengthened business and community resilience by facilitating capacity building training sessions on disaster risk reduction and business continuity planning;

  • Promoted public-private partnerships and multi-sectoral engagement in humanitarian response.

A-PAD Sri Lanka responded to four disasters in 2021: COVID-19, an urban fire and two monsoons. The network coordinated a new pilot project in response to floods and landslides in June 2021. Its member company, Union Assurance PLC, provided 3,000 cooked meals to people who were severely affected by floods in the Kaduwela DC division. As the country was in COVID-19 lockdown, A-PAD Sri Lanka helped identify safe centres and arranged approval for travel/delivery, travel escorts, security and COVID-19 protocols, all in coordination with the national government and local authorities.

The network was also actively engaged in the response to the flooding that followed the heavy monsoon rain in November, sending search and rescue teams and distributing food rations to affected families.

In addition to their response activities, A-PAD Sri lanka trained dozens of people in search and rescue activities, in collaboration with regional partners, the military and local businesses.

For more information, please visit A-PAD Sri Lanka’s website and YouTube channels. 

Cover Photo: Women trainees in search and rescue training in Sri Lanka. Photo: A-PAD Sri Lanka

Network at a glance

Host organization

Non-profit organization; national chapter of the international A-PAD network

Headquarters

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Number of members

Works with over 700 member companies and more than 100 NGO and government partners

Scale / Business reach

National

Contact person

Firzam Hashim

Contact email

info@apad.lk

Areas of focus

Drought, Flood, Landslide, Tropical cyclone, Tsunami

Most recent emergencies

How we do it

Flood response in Sri Lanka

As part of the yearlong celebration of the five year anniversary of the Connecting Business Initiative (CBI), this video showcases CBI Member Network the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster management Sri Lanka (A-PAD Sri Lanka) and how it works on preparation and response to flooding.

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