End Period Poverty for Students in Sri Lanka

Save a Life remains focused on ending period poverty for students across Sri Lanka, ensuring that a student's period never has to mean missing school. This project supports the distribution of sanitary products to students in need, the installation of sanitary disposal bins in school washrooms, and the provision of incinerators for the safe, hygienic disposal of menstrual products.

Menstrual health remains a significant, often overlooked barrier to girls' education in the communities we serve. Many students miss school days each month simply because they lack access to affordable sanitary products or dignified facilities to manage their periods at school. Our work aims to remove that barrier so that no student has to choose between her education and her dignity.

We continue to coordinate with schools in Jaffna to identify students most in need of support and to assess which schools require washroom facility upgrades, such as sanitary disposal bins and incinerators, to create safer and more hygienic environments for menstrual health management.

This is ongoing, quiet work that does not always generate dramatic headlines, but it makes a real, measurable difference in school attendance and confidence for the girls we support. We are committed to sustaining and growing this support as resources allow.

We are grateful to GlobalGiving and our donors for standing behind this cause. Your support directly funds sanitary products, facility upgrades, and dignity for students who would otherwise face real barriers to their education.

1. Introduction

During the reporting period, Save a Life continued its humanitarian efforts to support communities affected by climate-related disasters, particularly floods. The organization focused on delivering essential non-food relief items, promoting health awareness, and supporting recovery initiatives in vulnerable communities. These interventions aimed to address immediate needs while strengthening community resilience and well-being.

2. Key Activities

• Non-Food Items Distribution

During April, non-food items were distributed to flood-affected families to support their immediate needs. These items included essential household materials required for daily living. The distribution was carried out in coordination with local stakeholders to ensure that assistance reached the most vulnerable households in a timely and organized manner.

• Social Media Campaign

A social media campaign was conducted to raise awareness about disaster preparedness and public health concerns. The campaign helped disseminate important information to a wider audience, encouraging communities to adopt preventive measures and stay informed during emergency situations.

• Printing of Awareness Leaflets on Leptospirosis

As part of health awareness initiatives, leaflets on leptospirosis prevention were printed and distributed among at-risk communities. These materials provided essential information on symptoms, preventive measures, and early treatment, helping to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks, especially in flood-affected areas.

• Construction Material Purchasing

Construction-related materials were purchased to support minor rehabilitation and recovery activities in affected communities. These materials contributed to repairing damaged structures and improving living conditions for vulnerable households.

• Distribution of Used Clothes for Flood Relief

Used clothing collected through donations was distributed to families impacted by floods. This initiative helped meet basic clothing needs, particularly for displaced individuals, and provided immediate relief and comfort during a difficult period.

3. Challenges Faced

• Logistical Constraints

Access to certain flood-affected areas remained difficult due to damaged roads and transportation limitations. This delayed distribution activities and required additional coordination and resources.

• Resource Limitations

The demand for assistance exceeded available resources, making it necessary to prioritize the most vulnerable beneficiaries.

• Awareness Gaps

Despite awareness efforts, some community members had limited knowledge about leptospirosis prevention, highlighting the need for continuous education initiatives.

4. Impact on the Community

• Improved Living Conditions

The distribution of non-food items and clothing significantly improved the living conditions of affected families by addressing their immediate needs.

• Increased Health Awareness

The leptospirosis awareness campaign enhanced community knowledge on disease prevention, reducing potential health risks in flood-prone areas.

• Support for Recovery

Provision of construction materials supported early recovery efforts, enabling families to begin rebuilding their homes and lives.

5. Plans for the Next Quarter

• Continue distribution of relief items to affected communities
• Expand awareness campaigns on health and disaster preparedness
• Strengthen community-based recovery and resilience programs
• Increase outreach through digital and field-level engagement

6. Thank You

We sincerely thank our donors and partners for their continued support. Your contributions have enabled us to respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable communities. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in rebuilding lives and strengthening resilience against future disasters.

• climate_disaster_report_april.docx (DOCX)