Sri Lanka

Mother and Child Health, Water, sanitation and hygiene, Psychosocial and protection

Active in Sri Lanka since 1978, in 2010 Terre des hommes (Tdh) supported more than 56,000 people to overcome difficulties linked to the aftermath of 25 years of war and the 2004 tsunami.

The context

In most parts of Sri Lanka, especially in remote areas where Tdh intervenes, the population still suffers from the consequences of a conflict that lasted for 25 years and which came to an end in May 2009. Security in the former conflict area remains tense, and movements of NGOs areas are restricted. In places affected by the 2004 tsunami, the situation is not yet back to normal, neither regarding access to services nor livelihood. Children are faced with health and nutrition issues, communities sharing a poor knowledge of best practices. Furthermore, the long history of violence and disasters has taken its toll on the communities and in particular on the children’s wellbeing.

Our intervention in the field

Mother and child health

In the North, Tdh works to improve the health status of pregnant and lactating mothers, women and their children under 5. To ensure sustainability, Tdh works through Community Health Volunteers who have been selected together with the Ministry of Health. They are trained to provide health promotion activities and referral where needed to government services, and they follow-up mothers and their children. In the East, Tdh works through a local partner who works with Mothers’ Support Groups, raises their awareness on health, and builds/renovates health facilities. Health facilities are supported and standards of care improved.

Child protection

In the East, Tdh continues its effort to support affected children and youth, with community driven activities. In the North, Tdh renovates early childhood centres and trains community teachers to ensure the quality of care in the centres. Tdh also works for the reinforcement of community protection mechanisms. In Menik Farm camps, Tdh set up some Child Friendly Centres where children can attend recreational and sport activities for their well-being. Through their partner “Sunera Foundation” Tdh supports differently abled children.

Water, sanitation and hygiene

All the projects implemented in Sri Lanka involve hygiene promotion and infrastructure work, such as latrines, wells or water supplies (rain water harvesting, wells).

• 81.699972 7.720569

  Batticaloa

• 81.647186 7.297905

  Ampara

• 80.490417 8.875845

  Vani District