Making a difference in one year
As 30 June 2004 marks the end of the first year of operations for the Integrated Food Security Programme (IFSP), it is a timely opportunity to look at the extensive outputs achieved.
IFSP targets 52 villages in the worst conflict affected areas of the Wanni to secure the pre-conditions for a peaceful co-existence and achieve food security. The project works through mobilising communities in the sustainable use of existing resources. It is a German Agro Action (GAA) and Sewalanka Foundation programme funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The Wanni area, the DS Division of Vavuniya North and the Northern part of the Vavuniya DS Division, characterise the social, economic and psychological damage inflicted during the conflict between the Sri Lankan Security Forces and the LTTE prior to the 2002 cease-fire agreement. Due to the cease-fire, internally displaced families (IDPs) started to return to their homelands. However, upon their return they experienced severe hardships as buildings and homes were destroyed, irrigation facilities dysfunctional, roads impassable, large-scale unemployment prevalent and a lack of adequate health care facilities.
Activities achieved in 2003/04:
Agriculture |
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Paddy inputs and tools for 1250 families |
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Milking cows for 225 families |
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280 goats for 70 families |
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2000 chicks for 200 families |
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Vegetable seeds for 1100 families |
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Perennial crops for 1700 families |
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Renovation of 50 agro-wells |
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Farmers’ organisations and people who received seed paddy training |
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1 Artificial insemination centre |
Multipurpose Cooperative Society |
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1 MPCS store building |
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4 MPCS outlets |
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9 rice mills |
Strengthening CBO’s |
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50 training sessions on leadership, savings & credits, and group formation |
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Rs2,000 collected from each beneficiary used as base for the CBO’s revolving fund |
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2 community centres built in villages that don’t have them |
Water and Sanitation |
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148 toilets constructed |
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70 drinking water wells renovated |
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10 new wells constructed |
Plus 42 km of agricultural access roads constructed .
As a result, the IFSP focuses on three main components:
1. Food availability by assisting resettling families to clear land and cultivate paddy for personal use and income generation. IFSP supplies seed paddy inputs and agricultural tools, supports backyard poultry businesses and home-gardens and constructs agricultural wells.
2. Accessibility to markets ensuring villagers can get to the market, that food is available at the market and that villagers have the capacity to buy food. IFSP has constructed agricultural access roads, Multi-purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) outlets, MPCS stores and rice mills.
3. Stability in terms of rebuilding communities’ social structures and support networks destroyed by conflict, and addressing health and hygiene issues. IFSP has provided training to strengthen local community-based-organisations (CBOs) and constructed toilets and renovated drinking water wells.
During 2005 Sewalanka and GAA look forward to another year in our strong partnership. The IFSP project will continue to provide for returning communities already assisted to ensure long-term stability and self-sufficiency. In addition, the project may be extended in 2005 to assist the repratriation of Sri Lankan refugees from India.
>> For further information on this project please contact:
Ms. Lakshi Abeyasekara, Director Special Projects on +94 (0)24 222 1354
