Indu Abeyratne
About Indu Abeyratne
Indu Abeyratne is a Programme Policy Officer (International) and Anticipatory Actions Coordinator at the World Food Programme, specializing in disaster risk management and anticipatory actions. With extensive experience in various humanitarian roles, he has contributed significantly to early warning systems and climate risk management initiatives in South Asia.
Work at World Food Programme
Indu Abeyratne currently serves as a Programme Policy Officer (International) and Anticipatory Actions Coordinator at the World Food Programme in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a position held since 2023. In this role, Abeyratne leads initiatives focused on learning, evidence generation, and knowledge management for partners involved in Anticipatory Actions. She also serves as the focal point for the Anticipatory Actions Technical Working Group, contributing to the establishment of the Anticipatory Action Secretariat in Bangladesh. Prior to her current role, she worked as a Programme Policy Officer (International) in Disaster Risk Management for six months in Bhutan and was the National Programme Policy Officer in Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2023.
Education and Expertise
Indu Abeyratne holds a Master's degree in Information Technology from the University of Colombo, completed between 2002 and 2005. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in General Sciences from the University of Peradeniya from 1998 to 2001. Abeyratne has pursued various certifications related to disaster management and humanitarian response, including Disaster Recovery Programming and Logistics in Emergencies from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the World Food Programme, respectively. Her educational background equips her with the necessary skills to address complex challenges in disaster risk management and anticipatory actions.
Background
Indu Abeyratne has a diverse professional background in disaster risk management and humanitarian response. She began her career as an IT Specialist at the World Health Organization from 2003 to 2006. Abeyratne then transitioned to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, where she served as Programme Manager for Early Warning Systems and Community-Based Disaster Risk Management from 2007 to 2010, and later as Senior Programme Manager for Emergency Response and Early Warning from 2011 to 2014. Her experience also includes working as a National Technical Coordinator at RIMES and various roles at UNDP, where she focused on village development planning and knowledge management.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Indu Abeyratne has played a significant role in various initiatives related to disaster management. She facilitated the establishment of the Forecast Based Financing/Action Task Force led by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in Bangladesh. Abeyratne also contributes to the 'Early Warning for ALL' agenda in Bangladesh, where she is involved in developing a strategic roadmap. Additionally, she provides technical facilitation on Shock Responsive Social Protection as a strategy for implementing Anticipatory Action in the region. Her work has focused on enhancing preparedness and response mechanisms in the face of disasters.