A major post-conflict home reconstruction and repair project in Sri Lanka marked its first anniversary this month with the announcement that to date 3,000 internally displaced families have so far been assisted.
This major milestone in the Support to conflict-affected people through housing project was due largely thanks to the support of the European Union in partnership with the Australian Government, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC).
With UN-Habitat, the project started in January 2011 is supporting the reconstruction and repair of over 4,600 conflict damaged houses in more than 60 villages in Sri Lanka's Northern Province of two-and-a-half years.
By the first anniversary, the project had assisted over 3,000 families rebuild and repair homes in the districts of Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Killinochchi and Mannar. It is estimated that more than 16,000 people will benefit directly by living in these homes. The programme is currently providing intensive construction skills training for 100 youths in the project areas, with plans to increase to 300, thereby enhancing livelihood opportunities and supporting the re-establishment of the local economy.
