USAID and Sarvodaya, the leading NGO in Sri Lanka, intends to implement a project comprising 1) Income Support (Cash-for-Work) 2) Restoration of Drinking water and 3) Improved Sanitation (including solid waste disposal). This project will be carried out in 3 of the 14 districts affected by the Tsunami, specifically Ampara, Galle, and Hambantota.
The objectives of this project are:
# To provide some income support in the form of Cash-for-Work to affected families whose means of livelihood have been destroyed. This will take place over a limited period of 4 months during which steps will be taken – in coordination with governmental and non-governmental agencies, to engage them in some form of income generating activity.
# To prevent the outbreak of disease in the affected areas by cleaning up the sources of drinking water, and constructing toilets in villages and camps
# To educate the targeted families in personal hygiene, preservation of the environment and the proper disposal of solid waste by conducting training programmes, construction of pits, barrels, etc. for converting waste into compost.
# To embed a new value system in the community through a mindset change ensuring national integration, peace, empowerment and self-help. This process is expected to support the restoration of normalcy of the entire community in both social and economic aspects.
The project will be implemented in the districts of Ampara, Galle and Hambantota. 44 Grama Niladari Divisions in comprising approximately 100 families each will be targeted. The Project is expected to address the specific needs of about 4,400 families in the villages and 1,612 residents in the camps.
The Income Support Program will take the form of Cash-for-Work. It is intended that the skilled and unskilled labor required for the rehabilitation work in the area, such as the construction of houses, roads, cleaning of wells, construction of toilets, etc. will pe provided from amongst the victims of the disaster. The cleaning of wells and construction of toilets will require labor, some of which may be drawn from the affected individuals themselves.
The Project will also impart skills wherever necessary or possible so that at least some of the beneficiaries will become self-employed at the Project’s conclusion.
Sarvodaya has already commenced the cleaning of wells in some of the affected areas, using water pumps donated by local corporations and volunteer labor. This activity will be undertaken in a planned and organized manner throughout the project areas. Similarily, toilets in adequate number will be constructed in villages and camps. Since the camps are located in public schools, temples, and places of worship, the toilets and water tanks constructed can also be used by students and worshippers when the camps are closed.
The total project is expected to cost $1.75 million USD over a period of 4 months. A significant portion of the cost of the Income Support Project will be financed via payments received for the labour component included in the Drinking Water and Sanitation Project.
A special team at the Sarvodaya Head Office will oversee project implementation. Competent staff will be engaged to fill the key operational line positions. A Project Manager, a Technical Adviser, and a Project Accountant will be recruited on a contract basis to specifically support the implementation of the project. In addition, 3 District Technical Officers will support implementation at the district level.