Germany gives Rs. 645,000 to improve living conditions of IDP returnee families in Batticaloa District

Enlarge image The German Embassy recently provided Rs. 645,000 to improve living conditions of IDP returnee families1) through the repair and replacement of solar street lamps in Iralaikkulam, Batticaloa District. In 2009, the UNHCR had installed 229 solar street lights in rural return areas of the Batticaloa District, including 38 in the area of Iralaikkulam of which 15 now require repair and four need to be replaced.

For this project, the German government’s micro-project funding scheme is working with the Sewalanka Foundation, a non-profit development organization that enhances the capacity of disadvantaged rural communities to identify and address their own development needs. The cheque was handed over on 28 November 2011 to Lakshi Abeyasekera, the Director for Special Projects and Vice Chairperson of the Sewalanka Foundation, by Mrs. Marja Sirkka Einig, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany at Colombo.

As a result of the scaling up of the conflict by the Government of Sri Lanka against the LTTE in the Eastern Province some 300,000 persons were displaced in the Batticaloa District early 2007. The vast majority of those displaced were able to return to their homes in the subsequent years. Lady from Iralaikkulam in front of a broken light that in the past deterred elephants from entering her home garden Enlarge image Lady from Iralaikkulam in front of a broken light that in the past deterred elephants from entering her home garden (© German Embassy Colombo) The Embassy decided to fund this project as it seems particularly eligible. It follows a rather holistic approach, attempting to impact the villagers’ livelihoods in various ways. Firstly, the maintenance of the existing solar lighting aims at enhancing the feeling of security particularly for women and children in Iralaikkulam. Another integral element is the strengthening of community structures through the management and maintenance of the solar lights by the community. The villagers will collectively own the street lights and bear responsibility for their repairs. Additionally, a mobile charging unit will be installed on two of the streetlights. This way villagers will be enabled to charge up their mobile phones, thereby contributing to communications within the village. The mobile charging unit will allow them to collect a nominal fee for its use which can then be set aside for any future maintenance and repair costs. The Sewalanka Foundation will provide the training necessary for the villagers to gain capacity in maintaining the light system and thereby empower them to be responsible for the future functionality of the lights. Both the self-financing and responsibility effect will contribute to the independence of the people living in Iralaikkulam.

“The aspect of community participation is particularly valuable,” Lakshi Abeyasekera of the Sewalanka Foundation said. The community-based organisations in and around Iralaikkulam, the Rural Development Societies and the Women’s Rural Development Societies, need considerable inputs and support in the initial stages as they have not been functioning for several years. They are currently either in the process of being set up or will be set up upon return of the communities to their villages of origin. This project will provide an important input through community participation.

Sewalanka will work closely with ZOA Refugee Care, an NGO which already works in the area of implementation and has established good contacts with the local communities and authorities.

   

1) As a result of the scaling up of the conflict by the Government of Sri Lanka against the LTTE in the Eastern Province some 300,000 persons were displaced in the Batticaloa District early 2007. The vast majority of those displaced were able to return to their homes in the subsequent years.