The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed an agreement on June 19 with the National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs Ministry to implement the project, ‘Resilience Building Against Recurrent Natural Shocks Through Climate Adaptation and Diversification of Livelihoods for Vulnerable Communities in Sri Lanka’.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry in duplicate by Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy and Sri Lanka Office Country Director KOICA, Kang Youn Hwa.
The project will begin this year and complete in 2022. The Sri Lankan government will be given a grant worth US$ six million for the project.
The event was graced by the presence of World Food Programme Country Director Brenda Barton who is seeking to cooperate with the KOICA in the implementation of the project. The project will enable 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 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 more 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 them. The project also will contribute to establish a functioning information management system for water management and early warning at the local level and will provide training to the government staff.
(Daily News)