Sri Lanka Overview

For decades, economic development in Sri Lanka has been hampered by political instability and deteriorating security. The conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers in the north eastern coast of Sri Lanka continues to take its toll as hundreds of people die every year. In addition, aid workers are increasingly at risk of abductions and killings.

Tsunami

On 26th December 2004, Sri Lanka was stuck by the worst natural disaster of the century.

An undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean created a powerful tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people, and destroyed houses and infrastructure.

Many of those who survived found that they lost their means of livelihood.

IRW in Sri Lanka

Islamic Relief Worldwide began its operation in Sri Lanka in response to the Tsunami disaster, focussing on Ampara, one of Sri Lanka's worst affected districts.

The emergency and recovery phases lasted throughout 2005 and by the start of 2006 Islamic Relief had moved into a rehabilitation phase.

In the aftermath of the tsunami, IRW provided emergency food aid to survivors. Weeks later, IRW engineers were constructing temporary shelters and building latrines and wells to meet the water and sanitation needs of the population.

The aid operation in Sri Lanka is now focusing on long term sustainable rehabilitation. IRW aid workers are building permanent homes in Kalmunai Tamil and helping people recover their livelihoods. In 2006 a one-to-one orphan sponsorship program was also launched.

Islamic Relief staff are also helping the thousands of newly displaced people that fled their homes after the recent unrest in Muttur, Trincomalee.

Sri Lanka Projects

Muttur Conflict Emergency Relief

Livelihoods Projects

Orphan Sponsorship

Social Development and Educational Orphan Support

Pre-school Development

Permanent Shelter Project