KOICA grant of USD 6 million for climate adaptation project to benefit vulnerable communities

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed an agreement  with the Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation to implement a project which would benefit vulnerable communities in Batticaloa, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Matale and Monaragale.

The vulnerable communities in the above districts will benefit by means of better access to water in dry months, increased household incomes, and strengthened Community Based Organisations. 

The project is being implemented under the theme " Resilience Building Against Recurrent Natural Shocks Through Climate Adaptation and Diversification of Livelihoods for Vulnerable Communities in Sri Lanka”.

Under the agreement, the government will be given a grant worth USD 6 million for the project from 2019 - 2022.

The agreement was signed at the Ministry in duplicate by the secretary V. Sivagnanasothy and the Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka Office, Kang Youn Hwa. 

Secretary, Mr. Sivagnanasothy, in his opening remarks, expressed his gratitude towards KOICA for their continued cooperation towards Sri Lanka and he emphasised the importance of the project.

Ms.Kang Youn Hwa, the Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka Office remarked that KOICA is highly enthusiastic about this collaboration between the Ministry and KOICA for the project and noted that empowering the more vulnerable communities will help greatly towards the country’s economic growth. 

The event was also graced by the presence of Ms. Brenda Barton, the Country Director World Food Programme, who is seeking to cooperate with KOICA during project implementation. 

The project will 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 also provide training to the most vulnerable households and will aid in conducting diversified income Generation activities. In addition to that, 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.