Region Overwhelmed by Cyclone Ditwah, Bybit Responds
Cyclone Ditwah has left a trail of destruction across Southeast Asia over the past week, and the scale of the damage is still sinking in. Sri Lanka, which took some of the storm’s strongest winds and heaviest rainfall, is now facing severe flooding and landslides that have displaced tens of thousands of people. Entire neighborhoods are under water, major transport routes have collapsed, and basic services in several districts have come to a standstill. Across the region — from Indonesia and Malaysia to Thailand and Sri Lanka — more than 420 people have been killed. Sri Lanka alone has lost 123 lives, with more expected as rescue teams continue to reach previously inaccessible areas. In the middle of this unfolding disaster, Bybit has stepped forward with a $100,000 emergency humanitarian donation aimed at supporting relief operations in Sri Lanka. The company is coordinating directly with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to ensure that funds go where they are needed most and that support aligns with the government’s crisis response plan.
“Our hearts are with the people of Sri Lanka and the wider South Asian region during this time of immense loss,” said Nazar Tymoshchuk, Bybit’s Mini-Global Regional Manager. “As communities face the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, we stand in solidarity with them and are committed to contributing to relief and recovery efforts together with credible local partners such as the CBSL.”
The Human Impact Beyond Flooding
The human impact in Sri Lanka goes far beyond the initial flooding. With 44,000+ people displaced, families are being moved into temporary shelters while others wait for boats and military teams to reach them. Landslides have wiped out homes in hill-country regions, and emergency workers are navigating roads that in some cases no longer exist. Hospitals are struggling with power interruptions, and several public services have been suspended altogether. The continued rainfall — now forecast to last several more days — is making an already dangerous situation even more unpredictable. In these conditions, immediate funding can make the difference between families receiving food and water today versus days from now. Bybit’s donation, while not a massive global relief package, arrives at a moment when the country is scrambling to cover urgent shortfalls in essentials like medical supplies, clean drinking water, temporary shelter materials, and emergency fuel.
What also stands out is the company’s decision to coordinate with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Rather than routing funds through general international charities, the exchange is working directly with a national institution overseeing relief disbursement, which can help speed up the allocation process and reduce logistical friction.
Bybit's Role in Crisis Response
The crypto industry often finds itself under scrutiny — sometimes deserved, sometimes exaggerated — for lacking accountability during crises. But in recent years, a few major exchanges have begun carving out a different role for themselves, stepping in with targeted aid when disaster strikes. Bybit has quietly been one of those companies. This latest contribution feels consistent with its earlier humanitarian gestures, but Cyclone Ditwah presents a different level of urgency. The company isn’t framing this as charity or branding; instead, it’s positioning the donation as a responsibility to regions where it has a growing user base and long-term presence. While some will inevitably ask whether crypto companies should play a role in disaster relief, the reality is that private-sector support — especially from companies with global reach and immediate liquidity — can plug crucial gaps before international agencies mobilize fully. In Sri Lanka, where the economic recovery has been fragile and the storm damage extensive, support from corporate partners can help authorities move faster.
Looking Ahead: Immediate Relief and Future Rebuilding
In the near term, Bybit’s donation will help with immediate relief: food distribution, clean water, temporary shelters, emergency medical assistance, and early rehabilitation efforts. Whether the broader region sees a coordinated global response remains to be seen, especially given the number of countries affected simultaneously. Once the rain stops and the rescue phase ends, Sri Lanka’s focus will shift to rebuilding destroyed homes, repairing roads, restoring communications networks, and supporting families who have lost everything. The country is still recovering from its recent economic crisis, so the damage from Cyclone Ditwah may have long-lasting implications.
Bybit says it will continue monitoring the situation and working with credible local partners. The company emphasized that its long-term approach to global operations includes stepping in during humanitarian emergencies — especially in regions where its community is directly affected. As cleanup efforts begin and rescue teams push deeper into affected districts, the need for coordinated, fast-moving relief is more urgent than ever. And in moments like this, contributions like Bybit’s — especially when paired with institutional collaboration — can offer immediate, tangible help to communities facing unimaginable loss.