March 2008 - March 2009

Funded by CIDA and IDRF

The Kalmunai Tsunami Recovery Project helped rebuild the lives of hundreds of people in three communities – Kalmunia, Sainthamaruthu and Kalmunai Kudy – in the northern Ampara District of Sri Lanka. Although several years had passed since the tsunami, the people here had struggled to restore their lives. Families remained displaced and without homes. Many found it difficult to earn an income, unable buy the equipment and raw materials necessary to restart their businesses.

The project provided families with 40 families with new houses and 25 families with renovated houses. It also provided 30 families with toilets and connected 100 families to the water supply. But the most important element was helping people to rebuild their livelihoods. We organised 1,275 people into formal groups and provided credit and training. We also provided 145 youth with vocational training, including beauty culture, tailoring and outboard motor mechanics.

Read how the project improved the lives of Pathuma and Zahira.

View photos from the Kalmunai project.