Japan, ADB help for IDP welfare
Manila, Philippines - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the
Japanese Government are providing financial assistance to help Sri Lanka
restore infrastructure and provide livelihood training for thousands of
internally displaced people who are returning to their homes following
the end of terrorism.
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, administered by ADB, is
extending a US $2.5 million grant for a project that will provide
cash-for-work and skills training for at least 2,500 families in five
conflicted-affected districts in the North of the country.
It will assist in the rebuilding of about 100 kilometres of rural
access roads and 200 kilometres of field irrigation canals, and will
complement the separate ADB-assisted, Conflict Affected Region Emergency
(CARE) Project, which is also helping to rehabilitate damaged and
neglected infrastructure.
With the end of the conflict in May 2009, those displaced have
started returning to their original areas of residence. However, the
damage to rural infrastructure, including irrigation systems, has
deprived them of the means of earning a living.
“The project provides opportunities for vulnerable groups in
resettled areas to get immediate income from the repair of damaged
infrastructure, as well as skills training for future livelihood
activities,” ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission Senior Project
Implementation Officer, K. M. Tilakaratne said. The cash-for-work
program will provide jobs for about at least 2,500 resettled people to
restore and maintain irrigation systems and access roads in the
districts of Jaffna, Killinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya.
A further 2,000 of these people will get training in modern
sustainable agricultural production practices, the marketing of farm
goods, food processing and other self-employment skills.
Selection for the two activities will be limited to one eligible
male, or female member of each resettled family.
The project has a number of innovative features, with those in the
cash-for-work program required to open savings accounts and deposit 25
percent of their incomes for use in future livelihood creation
activities. Community-based organizations will be set up at the
resettlement villages to oversee the project, and since most villagers
have no experience with banks, they will hold savings passbooks over the
course of the program to ensure participants comply with the deposit
requirement. At least 50 percent or more of those selected for the work
program and skills development training will be women.
Along with the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction Grant, the Sri Lankan
Government will provide assistance of US $150,000, with communities
making an in-kind contribution of US $137,500 for a total project cost
of US $2.78 million. The Economic Development Ministry is the executing
agency for the project which will be implemented over 30 months with an
expected completion date of December 2012. |