An adapted response to post-conflict recovery in the North and long-term development in the East

In 2010, ACTED adapted its strategy to the evolving situation in the North, providing water access to IDPs before moving on to support the recovery efforts of returning populations. Our response focused on immediate food security, livelihood support, water and sanitation and infrastructure rehabilitation to ensure a smooth transition to sustainable development in former war-torn areas.In parallel, long-term development activities in the East aimed at strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in representing public needs and engaging in local development planning, and supporting community-led socio-economic development through a holistic, multi-pronged approach including infrastructure, livelihood, psychosocial and conflict mitigation components.

A holistic strategy for community-driven development

While having enjoyed relative stability for longer than the North, the Eastern province remains socio-economically under-developed. Its population is rarely consulted on development policies which directly affect them. Existing community-based organizations often lack the capacity to effectively identify and respond to community needs, and the influence to lobby for improved government service delivery, accountability and greater community engagement in development initiatives. In 2010, ACTED continued to strengthen the institutional and organizational capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) to act as alternative service providers within their communities and hold government actors accountable to their actions by voicing their needs and lobbying for increased service provision. In parallel, 50,000 individuals living in recently resettled communities in the North and East benefit from a holistic, multi-pronged approach aimed at improving their living conditions, with special attention paid to disabled persons. Along with the development of inclusive Village Development Plans, community-based structures were created in the form of village committees and specialized working groups. The latter were trained to address specific issues affecting their communities, such as improving access to psychosocial support, mediating disputes or promoting the development of various livelihood activities.

Supporting the recovery of returned populations in the North

After providing immediate access to water and improved sanitary conditions to 14,000 IDPs in early 2010, ACTED began to focus on the changing context and needs as the 280,000 persons displaced by the years of civil war were progressively returning home. The recovery of livelihoods and provision of immediate and longer-term needs, particularly in terms of food security, became a major challenge. Years of abandonment and conflict inflicted severe damage on critical infrastructure, particularly agricultural infrastructure, roads as well as houses and sanitation facilities. To support the recovery efforts of returned populations, ACTED implemented a number of quick-impact cash transfer activities, mainly through Cash for Work and support to micro-enterprise development for extremely vulnerable families. This allowed 5,100 returned families who would otherwise have little to no means to earn income to meet their essential needs, including food. They were also able to invest in assets which support sustainable income generation. The rehabilitation of productive infrastructure and assets, such as irrigation channels for agricultural land, water reservoirs and roads, provided the backbone for the sustainable recovery of war-affected communities. Another 3,700 returned persons benefited from latrine and well construction and rehabilitation, while 200 families were provided with transitional shelters and latrines.

Towards a community-driven, equitable and environmentally sustainable strategy for poverty alleviation

ACTED’s interventions in Sri Lanka are framed around a three-year strategy focused on alleviating poverty in Sri Lanka by promoting equitable economic growth, decentralized development management while ensuring the sustainable use of environmental resources. While continuing to support the recovery efforts of returned populations in the North in the first half of 2011, ACTED is adapting its response to an evolving context once again. The country’s newfound stability now allows for a strategy to arise which addresses the long-term development potential of the country, with a focus on the East and North where the needs are most important. ACTED’s livelihood support activities have begun to shift towards emphasizing added value, improved trade links and enhanced productivity within the agricultural sector, in line with the country’s transition towards middle-income status. Improving community-driven development planning and increasing the institutional and operational capacity of community-based organizations remain another priority, in order to enhance accountability and quality of service delivery. Finally, a focus on the sustainable use of environmental resources is being mainstreamed into interventions whenever possible, addressing the crucial need to preserve one of Sri Lanka’s main assets, its natural resource wealth.