Transition Initiatives Home » About Transition Initiatives » Country Programs » Summary of Program Activities » Lessons Learned » Publications » Staff » Employment » Links » Frequently Asked Questions » Site Map »
	OTI / Sri Lanka Home USAID in Sri Lanka USAID Asia and the Near East Regional Bureau Country Reports Select a report... Jan-Mar 2007 Oct-Dec 2006 July-Sept 2006 Apr-June 2006 Jan-March 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003   Fact Sheets March 2007 Success Stories Select a story... January 2007 December 2006 December 2006 June 2006 June 2006 June 2006 June 2006 June 2006 March 2006 March 2006 March 2006 March 2006 March 2006 November 2005 November 2005 November 2005 June 2005 June 2005 June 2005 July 2004 June 2004 April 2004
	Advanced search... Search USAID Personnel... Search USAID Documents...

USAID/OTI Sri Lanka Success Story

January 2007

Improving infrastructure and restoring livelihoods:
A collaborative, problem-solving approach

USAID/OTI's Sri Lanka program aims to generate greater support for a negotiated peace settlement. To accomplish this, USAID/OTI supports local groups to implement small-grant activities that: promote inclusive, collaborative identification and implementation of community improvement projects; increase understanding of key transition issues; and mitigate conflict or generate greater momentum for peace. Since January 2005, OTI has applied its conflict-sensitive approach to support post-tsunami infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihoods restoration and information dissemination activities in coastal areas.

A fishing boat enters tsunami-affected Kirinda Harbor, which re-opened in December 2006 after a USAID/OTI small-grant activity supported the repair of dredging equipment and excavation of more than 150,000 cubic meters of sand.

Kirinda Harbor was an economic focal point in the South prior to the tsunami, supporting livelihoods of more than 6,000 people. The tsunami not only dumped an estimated 100,000 cubic meters of sand into the harbor closing the entrance, but it also badly damaged or completely destroyed the equipment used to keep the inlet open to daily boat traffic.

Working with the Ceylon Fisheries Harbor Corporation (CFHC), USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) brought together all local stakeholders to dredge and reactivate the harbor, kick- starting the primary engine of the local economy. During this process, the Kirinda Harbor Management Committee, higher management of the CFHC, harbor staff, local leaders and area fishermen -- both Sinhala and Muslim -- showed exceptional commitment by working together to restore the harbor to full operation.

This successful collaborative effort resulted in more than 150,000 cubic meters of sand being dredged to re-open the harbor. This undertaking restored the harbor's function as a shared economic resource within this diverse community. Both Muslim and Sinhalese fisherfolk were empowered to work together to solve common problems to the benefit of all. Additionally, it strengthened their ties and promoted accountability by the government agency responsible for addressing their needs.

"Before the tsunami, Muslims and Sinhalese in Kirinda pretty much minded their own business," said a Muslim religious leader at the inauguration of the newly dredged harbor in December 2006. "Now we are working together on common problems. Why do we need to have a disaster for that?"

For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C.: Christie Sunwoo, Program Manager, 202-712-1924, csunwoo@usaid.gov