Services for Tsunami Affected Women in Sri Lanka

Summary

This project assists 2,200 Tsunami affected women in Ampara by providing financial and livelihood services to supplement income-generating activities and reduce poverty.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 killed more than 30,000 Sri Lankans, destroyed nearly 100,000 homes and displaced 443,000 people. The project provides loans and livelihoods skills trainings to 2,200 Tsunami affected women in the Ampara district, the most devastated region, helping them meet their financial needs and goals, supplementing income-generating activities, reducing their vulnerability to future calamities and increasing their role in economic and community development.

How will this project solve this problem?

RI helps by forming 82 community based organizations which establish loan funds, extend credits, give livelihoods training, train executive members, open bank accounts, review business plans and organize social projects that benefit the community.

Potential Long Term Impact

Assisted women address their family’s immediate needs and invest in activities that will be a permanent source of income. Groups also create social projects that extend support to the broader community and increase solidarity between members.

Project Message

"With the help of RI I was able to get a loan and expand my business. Now I am making a great profit. All credit goes to RI for the kindness shown. Up to now no organizations had come to our aid."
- Ms Yogeswary, Beneficiary from the Poongawanam group.

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources