A Data-Driven Framework for Prioritizing Post-Disaster Non-Food Relief Needs: Evidence from District-Level Analysis following the ”Dithwa” disaster in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Effective disaster response requires timely and data-driven allocation of relief resources. This study presents a statistical analysis of district-level and camp-level non-food relief requirements following the Dithwa disaster in Sri Lanka. A consolidated dataset comprising multiple districts and relief camps was analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, cross-tabulation, and inferential statistical tests, including the Chi-square test and Kruskal–Wallis test. The results reveal that relief demand is highly heterogeneous across districts, with a small number of regions accounting for the majority of total requirements. Shelter and bedding items dominate the demand profile, followed by water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies, indicating significant needs related to temporary living conditions and public health. Frequently requested items such as bed sheets, blankets, and sanitary packs suggest the feasibility of developing standardized core relief packages. However, statistically significant differences across districts highlight the necessity for adaptive, location-specific allocation strategies. The findings demonstrate the value of transforming operational disaster data into structured statistical insights to support evidence-based decision-making. The proposed approach contributes to improving resource prioritization and enhancing the efficiency of humanitarian response planning in disaster-prone regions.