25 July 2008The 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 tensionsIn 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 livelihoodsThe 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 grantsThe 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."
Special Task Force soldiers search passengers at a checkpoint in Colombo July 22, 2008. Sri Lanka's government on Tuesday dismissed a declaration by Tamil Tiger rebels of a brief unilateral ceasefire ...
