When Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka in late November 2025, it unleashed chaos - more than 3,000 landslides and rapid floods swamped 20 out of 25 districts, from tea-covered highlands to lowland rivers. 

Communities in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward of the Far North affected by the severe weather event in January are able to receive additional recovery support through a partnership between New Zealand Red Cross and the Far North District Council.

Woolworths New Zealand has launched a fundraising initiative in response to the severe weather events in February 2026 that have affected communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Funds raised will support New Zealand Red Cross in helping communities affected by emergencies and contributing to future domestic disaster responses.

In recent days, intense monsoon rains and a series of powerful storms have caused widespread flooding and landslides across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. Rivers have burst their banks, entire neighbourhoods have been destroyed, and families have had to flee at short notice as water levels rose rapidly. Tragically, more than 1,400 people have lost their lives, with many still unaccounted for and millions affected across the region.

Over this past year, we’ve continued to support vulnerable people at home and overseas, while making progress to achieve our 10-year strategic plan.