Tsunami Appeal: Micro-Project No.28
Immediate and long-term assistance to support the livelihood recovery of 546 tsunami affected fishermen who fish in the Periyakalapu lagoon system, south of Akkaraipatttu, in Ampara District, Sri Lanka.
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| Some lagoon fishermen have manged to restart their livelihood activities since the tsunami |
Funds provided by the micro-project will be used for immediate and medium-term rehabilitation of the fishing community and the environment they are dependent on for earning an income. The micro-project will provide immediate assistance to 546 lagoon fishermen who lost their fishing gear due to the tsunami and are unable to restart their livelihoods and generate incomes for their families. Currently, there is an urgent need to purchase prawn cast nets, which will enable the fishermen to harvest prawns during the season (January to April). Prawn fishing is a significant part of a lagoon fisherman’s annual income. Prawns are sold for between Rs 250 and 400 per kilo ($2.50 - $4.12). The micro-project will also assist each Fishermen’s Cooperative Society (FCS) to purchase 15 lagoon canoes; 60 canoes in total. The provision of fishing gear will help reactivate the Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies and also, facilitate collaborative action for rebuilding the communities.
The micro-project will also work to meet the medium-term needs of the lagoon fishermen, by building and furnishing five offices to house the Fishermen’s Cooperative Societies; each office will have access to safe drinking water and sanitation. These offices will also include workspace for repair of fishing gear such as boats and nets.
Finally, the micro project seeks to address the main local environmental issue of mangrove deforestation, by establishing a Mangrove Nursery and working with fishermen to replant mangroves in the lagoons. In collaboration with Sewalanka Foundation’s technical staff, the micro-project will support lagoon fishermen to begin the process of replanting the mangrove forest on the fringes of the lagoon.
These forests were destroyed during the ethnic conflict in the late 1980s and further damaged with the impact of the tsunami. Mangroves are the foundation of a lagoon’s ecology, providing spawning grounds and habitat for various species of economically important fish, crabs and prawns. Mangroves are also well-known for their high biodiversity. The regeneration of mangroves in the lagoon will ensure the long term ecological and economic recovery of lagoon fishermen.
APPEAL PARTNERS:
Sewalanka Foundation is working with the following individuals to raise funds for this project: |
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| – | Roshan Cooke in Rome |
– | Nalin Cooke in UK
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– | Lloyd Randall –
TASK USA |
LOCATION OF THE PROJECT: East Coast of Sri Lanka
District |
DS Divisions |
Lagoon |
FCS |
No. Fishermen |
Ethnicity |
Ampara |
Aleyidivembu |
Periyakalappu |
Aleyidivembu |
110 |
Tamil |
Aleyidivembu |
Kanaigigramam |
118 |
Tamil |
||
Thirukovil |
40th koddai |
100 |
Tamil |
||
Thirukovil |
Tambilivil |
118 |
Tamil |
||
Thirukovil |
Sagamam |
100 |
Tamil |
||
546 |
PROJECT COORDINATOR IN SRI LANKA: |
Deepal Chandrathilake District Director Sewalanka Foundation Ampara District, Sri Lanka Tel: +94 063 222 4757 Email: sewaamp@sltnet.lk |
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNER:
The project will work directly with the District Assistant Director of Fisheries Mr. Domingo George (067 2229 363) who is based in Kalmunai, within the framework of the department’s emergency response to livelihood recovery of the fishery sector. The micro-project will also be implemented in collaboration with Mr. M.A. Suhood, the District Forest Officer (063 2222 054).
TOTAL
BUDGET COST: |
Rs
6,647,500 |
US$
68,531 |
Immediate
Needs: |
Rs
744,500 |
US$
7,675 |
Please download the Project Overview in PDF for, including a detailed budget breakdown.
