25 July 2008

The British Red Cross has just completed a livelihoods recovery programme in Ampara, Sri Lanka, helping 6,000 households across 19 villages set up small businesses.

Working with the Sri Lanka Red Cross, the British Red Cross livelihoods programme was initiated in response to the tsunami. But in Ampara there were many people whose livelihoods had been destroyed as a result of the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government.

The two-year programme in Ampara provided direct cash grants to individual households and community enterprises for people affected by the conflict.

Ethnic tensions

In setting up the programme the Red Cross worked equally with the three main ethnic groups – Muslim, Sinhalese and Tamil – to avoid aggravating tensions between communities.

Zehra Rizvi, livelihoods delegate, said: "Ampara district is a predominantly Muslim area but there were also a number of vulnerable Sinhalese and Tamil populations affected by the conflict. In the beginning it was particularly important to work with all the groups.

"Once we'd established the programme and developed a level of trust, it was possible to be more focused on the most vulnerable, irrespective of ethnicity. We were also able to reach those in previously inaccessible areas."

Diversifying livelihoods

The Red Cross programme both strengthened existing livelihoods and diversified jobs within households to ensure resilience against loss of the primary income. This was particularly important for households that rely on seasonal activities such as farming, which can't be done in the rainy season.

The grants were used to buy animals (cows, goats, chickens) and create income-generating schemes such as making brooms out of coconut skins. Vocational training was also provided for many young people, including IT training and driving – gaining a license is a huge expense but opens up massive job opportunities.

Community grants were used to set up natural resource management projects and build community centres. The Red Cross also helped establish village development committees and training was provided in report writing and book keeping.

Group grants

The livelihoods programme engaged with a number of vulnerable people including widows, orphans, disabled, elderly and the socially excluded. This was done through group grants, encouraging people to work together and generate small businesses.

One group of widows set up a business to make Bombay mix. Others invested in a machine and labels for a spice-making business.

Zehra said: "It has been wonderful to see such a change in the participation of women within the community, both in terms of bringing new income to their homes and in making decisions in community bodies."

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