USAID has distributed over 2 million kilograms of unmilled rice and some 73,800 kilograms of other food crop seeds to some 12,000 recently resettled conflict-affected families.
Some 21,000 people benefit from USAID-supported livelihood restoration projects, and another 28,000 from market restoration and infrastructure rehabilitation projects.
Since 2009, USAID's Connecting Regional Economies project has linked some 11,000 microenterprises with value chains.
CONTACTS Mission Director James Bednar USAID/Colombo Department of State Washington, DC 20521-6100 Tel: 94-11-249-8000
Acting Desk Officer Caitlin Hall Tel: (202) 712-1159 E-mail: cahall@usaid.gov
Workers unload food and non-food aid from a chartered flight. The relief items were flown in with USAID support in response to the emergency situation created by devastating floods in early 2011. (Photo: USAID)
Overview
After more than two decades of conflict, Sri Lanka is in a period of post-war transition and readjustment. With the conclusion of the 26-year conflict between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009, USAID plays a lead role in providing assistance to the more than 300,000 displaced people returning to their communities. USAID supports the Government of Sri Lanka to assist returnees as they rebuild their lives and regions.
The end of the conflict presents great opportunities to promote sustainable peace in the country. To ensure that foreign assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations, the geographic scope of USAID programs has shifted beyond the Eastern Province to include the post-war Northern Province. The foreign assistance imperative is to accelerate the reconciliation and integration of the former LTTE-controlled areas with the whole of Sri Lanka, enabling all Sri Lankans to rebuild their local communities as well as benefit from and participate in the country's economic growth and development equitably and sustainably.
Programs
Economic Growth
The private sector remains the engine for economic growth in Sri Lanka. USAID is building on a successful record of working with the private sector to create public-private alliances that foster stability, create sustainable jobs, and boost much-needed economic growth in conflict-affected areas.
USAID is helping mobilize $65 million of private sector investments through alliances with Sri Lankan companies. For example, USAID successfully partnered with the largest apparel manufacturer in Sri Lanka to establish a factory in an area formerly under LTTE control. Additional alliances have been created with indigenous companies in dairy, horticulture, construction, aquaculture, logistics, and garment manufacturing. The alliances will create jobs in conflict-affected eastern and northern Sri Lanka for more than 20,000 workers, and will encourage other businesses to expand to these regions.
Through other initiatives, USAID is strengthening market linkages between producers in northern and eastern Sri Lanka, national markets in Colombo, and international export markets.
Democracy and Governance
USAID initiatives help protect the rights of all citizens, increase civic participation in governance, and improve capacity of local governments to deliver services to the people. USAID supports the Government of Sri Lanka's efforts to secure land and property rights for conflict-affected populations. In eastern Sri Lanka, USAID is bringing together community leaders to develop creative solutions that reduce ethnic tensions and foster intercommunity reconciliation. In the northern and eastern regions, USAID is supporting programs to strengthen the rule of law by sensitizing judges and supporting civil society to promote legal awareness.
Acknowledging the importance of gender equity in Sri Lanka's post-conflict environment, USAID supports women's rural development societies in the North and East to raise public awareness of gender equality issues, and promotes an environment where women can fully exercise their rights. In the South, USAID supports the regional Chamber of Commerce in its promotion of women entrepreneurs.
Peace and Security: Transition Initiatives
USAID's transition initiative programs support community-focused reintegration as part of a strategy to stabilize, transform, and develop conflict-affected communities by addressing core conflict issues. Programs focus on developing skills and employment opportunities for at-risk youth, including former combatants; enhancing productivity and marketing options for farmers, dairy herders, and fishing cooperatives in previously isolated conflict zones; rehabilitating infrastructure; and responding to urgent education needs of school-aged returnees. A job fair in the war-torn North drew more than 15,000 youth, and over 3,000 received job offers.
Humanitarian Assistance
USAID has provided immediate humanitarian assistance, including food and non-food relief items, to populations affected by floods and to families returning home after being displaced by the conflict. Through livelihood and capacity development activities, USAID contributes to rebuilding efforts and provides reintegration services to vulnerable groups, including former combatants. In conflict-affected regions, USAID is providing early recovery and stability support through the rehabilitation of infrastructure, provision of agricultural inputs and cash-for-work activities.
