MIT and Microsoft support digital reporting for cyclone damage

The National Planning Department launched a program to gather information and data on the businesses and properties damaged by the 'Ditwah' cyclone, says Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

The Finance Ministry Secretary mentioned that this information is compiled in coordination with Divisional Secretariat offices and other relevant institutions.

Dr Suriyapperuma said that teams deploy to the affected areas to collect data more accurately, and a plan is in place to expedite the process through digital reporting.

The Information System required for this task was developed free of charge by MIT, and Microsoft provided the necessary technical support, he stated.

The Secretary said that several countries provided both financial and material aid for the 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' program, and additional support continues to be received.

According to information provided by the Department of External Resources, countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Maldives, the United States, Nepal, Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, and Korea, as well as institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), expressed willingness to provide financial assistance.

He further said that countries like India and Pakistan provided material aid immediately after the disaster, and several other countries, including the Maldives, Australia, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and Qatar, supplied essential relief items.