International delegate, Dallas Roy, supporting flood response in Sri Lanka
22 December 2025
As part of our response to the devasting floods and landslides across South and Southeast Asia, our international delegate, Dallas Roy, has once again packed his bags and headed to Sri Lanka to support recovery efforts following one of the country’s worst disasters in recent history.
Massive flooding and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah on 28 November have left at least 639 people dead, more than 200 missing and affected around two million people. Entire communities are struggling as humanitarian needs remain critical.
“Seeing the images coming out of Sri Lanka, it’s pretty sobering,” Dallas says.
“You’ve got communities underwater, roads and bridges washed out, families who’ve lost loved ones and everything they had. Supporting the operation was an obvious decision, as soon as the request came for support I put my name forward.”
Dallas will spend three months as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) operations manager, supporting Sri Lanka Red Cross’s disaster response.
Ahead of the trip, he explained his role is to act as “the conduit” between IFRC and the national society, supporting Sri Lanka Red Cross leadership with their key challenges and priorities.
“Sri Lanka Red Cross has been there for affected communities since day one. When I arrive, I focus on listening and understanding the context and challenges, and then figuring out how I can best support and add value to Sri Lanka Red Cross as they work to help the most affected and vulnerable people.”
Dallas Roy
Challenges such as access issues from washed-out roads and bridges and potential waterborne diseases loom large.
“Everything creates other challenges on top of it – particularly with the ongoing monsoon season,” Dallas says.
“You never know what other impacts can occur in terms of putting more pressure on already affected people.”
He is clear the deployment is about more than the initial emergency phase. The focus will soon shift to helping communities recover in a way that leaves them safer and more resilient.
With 10 years of Red Cross service, this marks the North Canterbury local’s 12th country deployment – a full circle moment, as Sri Lanka was his first international posting in 2017.
How you can help
You can help deliver urgent shelter, clean water, medical care, and hope to families who’ve lost everything – and support New Zealand delegates, like Dallas, responding to emergencies worldwide. Donate to our Global Disaster Fund.
More information
In times of disasters, conflict, and other emergencies, we respond to the needs of vulnerable people around the world.
Header image caption: Picture of Dallas Roy who will spend three months as the IFRC operations manager in Sri Lanka following one of the country’s worst disasters in recent history.