Special Projects Division
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| A young boy is rebuilding his family home as part of Special Project's work in Mannar |
As the cease-fire agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) continued through 2003/04, Sewalanka Foundation was committed to support the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs). As a result, the Special Projects Division maintained its focus on assisting the resettlement of the spontaneous returnee communities to the North.
In undertaking this work, the division drew upon nine years of experience in serving the internally displaced communities in the North. The division spearheaded the assessment of needs for spontaneous returnees and sourced international partners to assist with projects addressing these needs.
Of note, the work of the Special Projects Division mirrored an overall organisational shift from emergency relief and rehabilitation work to sustainable development of communities in the social and physical reconstruction of the villages. The Special Projects Division provides basic assistance – shelter, water and agricultural support – reinitiating village groups and societies and developing their institutional capacities.
Significant projects undertaken during 2003/04 included the support of 3,200 families to resettle in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts. The projects were implemented by the Special Projects Division, in collaboration with other Sewalanka divisions and in partnership with German Agro Action with the support of the European Commission for Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the German Government (BMZ). The emergency return support provided the 3,200 families with temporary shelters and inputs for paddy cultivation to assist the initiation of agricultural activities; ensuring food security and an income. The provision of clean drinking water through the rehabilitation of 122 drinking wells and the rehabilitation of two schools were two important interventions.
As a priority, the division places emphasis on addressing the needs of
women and vulnerable groups and building their capacities in the resettlement
process.
>> To find out more, contact:
Ms. Lakshi Abeyasekara, Director - Special Projects
