Korea provides US $ 6mn grant to help vulnerable communities
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will provide a US $ 6 million grant to assist the vulnerable communities in five districts in Sri Lanka.
The KOICA signed the agreement in this regard recently with the National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs Ministry.
Under the project ‘Resilience Building Against Recurrent Natural Shocks Through Climate Adaptation and Diversification of Livelihoods for Vulnerable Communities in Sri Lanka’, the Sri Lankan government will be given US $ 6 million, from 2019 to 2022.
The project will enable the vulnerable communities in the Batticaloa, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Matale and Monaragala Districts to benefit by means of better access to water in dry months, increased household incomes and strengthened community-based organisations. The project will also rehabilitate selected minor reservoirs and anicuts in the above-mentioned areas and will establish water harvesting facilities for households, such as agro wells and farm ponds.
It will further provide training to the more vulnerable households and will aid in conducting diversified income generation activities. In addition, the project will also provide technical training to farmers and help establish market access to the farmers. The project also will contribute to establish a functioning information management system for water management and early warning at local level and will provide training to the government staff.
National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy expressed his gratitude towards the KOICA for its continued cooperation towards Sri Lanka and he emphasised the importance of the project.
KOICA Sri Lanka Office Country Director Kang Youn Hwa remarked that the KOICA is highly enthusiastic about this collaboration between the ministry and KOICA for the project and noted that empowering the more vulnerable communities would help greatly towards the country’s economic growth.
World Food Programme Country Director Brenda Barton, who is seeking to cooperate with the KOICA during project implementation, also graced the event.