Project code: SRL/05/D01(D153), D02(D157), X01(D137), X03(D145), X04(D156), T02(D150) SRL/06/X01(D164), X02(D165), X03(D168), X04(D171), X05(D172 SRL/07/X01(D194), X02(D190) SRL/08/X05(D228), X06(D227)

Background and objectives
The tsunami that smashed into Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004 was the worst natural calamity in the history of the island. It ravaged the southern coast — the most densely populated and urbanized part of the country and its impact was even more severe in the conflict-scarred North East where people had already suffered displacement for over 20 years.

More than 70,000 houses were completely destroyed, and 30,000 damaged. Most of the community infrastructure was destroyed. UN-HABITAT’s role covers a wide range of activities from advocacy to policy advice, coordination and building partnerships, and the implementation of housing recovery and reconstruction projects.

All projects follow the same community-based approach to housing rehabilitation and reconstruction. They bring housing and settlement needs to the forefront, advocate community-driven reconstruction, demonstrate good practices, and support government institutions to mobilize resources by facilitating innovative partnerships. The advantage of engaging the affected people in the decision-making process and implementation of theprojects is that it helps them to overcome the traumas of the tsunami and restores their dignity and confidence.


Activities
The main activities include:

• 15 projects provided emergency support to the affected communities, assisting their immediate needs through a rapid plan of action based on self-reliance and communitybased reconstruction
• Provided long-term resettlement support to the affected communities; and assist communities and local governments to begin to function normally as quickly as possible.
• Introduced a people-centred approach to housing and community infrastructure reconstruction. Communities organised, community action planning workshops held to set priorities and prepare work plans
• People involved in the implementation of the recovery projects through community contracts.

Results
The results so far achieved have included:

• The most significant achievement of UN-HABITAT was the community development aspect of the People’s Process.
• Through the establishment of Community Development Councils and using Community Action Planning processes, UN-HABITAT proved within one year after the tsunami that the People’s Process to housing recovery and reconstruction was highly successful.
• This helped the agency in attracting donor funding for the implementation of a large number housing projects.
• These projects were not just providing houses, but an integrated approach in supporting communities to rebuild their lives and social capital.
• By June 2008, UN-HABITAT completed some 9,600 houses in sustainable communities, making UN-HABITAT the agency facilitating the rebuilding of the largest number of houses in post-tsunami Sri Lanka.