Conflict-affected people in Sri Lanka still struggling to regain economic stability - ICRC

Years after the conflict ended in Sri Lanka, the most vulnerable families still struggle to meet their basic economic needs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says. Some of the vulnerable families have lost their breadwinner, while others have sustained life-long injuries, remain displaced, or have a family member who is in detention, is missing, or is a released rehabilitee and they need help to make ends meet, ICRC says in a report.

In Sri Lanka, the ICRC is responding to the needs of some of the most vulnerable households, to provide them with the means through its programs to acquire basic necessities to restore a decent life. "We support vulnerable households in the north and east of the country to start a small business of their choice through our Micro Economic Initiatives program, which is carried out in line with the Sri Lankan government's community empowerment program," the ICRC said. Under the ICRC program, a member of the household receives a cash grant and basic training to develop the small business into a sustainable source of income. Vulnerable communities receive the support required to start income generating activities through the ICRC's Community Based Livelihood Support program, which is designed to meet sector-specific needs in the fisheries, agriculture, livestock, and small-business sectors. The program is carried out through local community-based organizations, which ensures ownership of the project and guarantees its sustainability in the long term.