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SDC’s Home Owner Driven House Reconstruction Programme in northern Sri Lanka (Cash for Housing)
This site keeps you updated about the cash for housing, infrastructure and lifelihood activities of the Swiss Development Cooperation in the north of Sri Lanka and was last updated 5th January 2012
The Swiss Development Cooperation SDC established its presence in Jaffna in 2003. Activities are mainly focusing on construction and reconstruction of schools and livelihood support.
Download Program Description / Download Brochure (tam/sing/engl)
In 2010, an integrated housing program was implemented in the Division of Maravanpulo/Jaffna. The Maravanpulo Division was part of a high security zone and reopened end of 2009 for resettlement. 300 permanent houses with latrines and individual wells were built in an owner driven approach ("cash for housing"). A new constructed school for 300 students, a community building and additional infrastructure (common wells, culverts, fresh water pond rehabilitation) support the community to find back to normalcy. In addition, a livelihood component for 254 families generates additional income possibilities.
SDC expanded the integrated reconstruction program in 2011 to the northern part of Killinochi District and is now active in 14 GN-Divisions in Jaffna and Killinochchi.
Integrated Village Approach
Key Elements of a holistic village approach in reconstruction and resettlement are:
- Construction of permanent houses in an owner driven approach
- Construction of latrines and wells (sanitary units)
- Construction of schools and pre-schools
- Construction of community infrastructure
- Support in livelihood and income generating activities
To trigger further development, SDC is working close together with the administration, the bodies of the Pradeysha Shabas and is empowering community based organizations.
Permanent Housing
The house construction is strictly owner driven. Beneficiaries are selected according to vulnerable criteria. The selected households receive 5 installments to build their house and a latrine according government and SDC quality standards. They are supported by SDC’s technical staff with technical advice and support (material quality control and purchase). This approach is very well known in Sri Lanka and well appreciated.
Infrastructure
An important element in the resettlement process are fully operational schools. As an important part of SDC’s village approach is therefore the reconstruction of school facilities according the government standards.
Three schools have been handed over to the education department between 2009 and 2011 (Chava Hindu, Thurkapuram, Maravanpulo, Mugavil). The schools of Uduthuray and Thadunvankoddy are under construction and supposed to be finished in 2012.
On community level, a main focus lies on the construction of pre-schools and community buildings.
Common wells are fully rehabilitated in close collaboration with community based organizations (Development Societies, Farmers Organization) to ease access to fresh water
SDC is supporting as well the de-slugging and the new lining of freshwater ponds.
Lifelihood
Cash for work programs are usually implemented just in the beginning of the resettlement process. Main components are clearing of access roads, wells, culverts and trenches. Cash for work programs are carried out by SDC’s partner organization SAH (Swiss Labour Assistance).
Further, the families benefit from cash grants to re-establish livelihood that see a fast economic return (paddy cultivation, chicken and goat rearing, small business development (sewing/tailoring, home gardening, dry fish production etc)
Mason Training
Skilled labour are necessary to reconstruct whole villages. In collaboration with National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), SDC carries out mason trainings for young people willing to learn a profession. After the theoretical training, the students build a pre-school in the area. The trainees receive a highly regarded national certificate which opens further job opportunities.
Alternative Construction Material
SDC is introducing the construction of door and window frames made of concrete. Main reason is to avoid further deforestation in the north. House owners save up to 60% if concrete frames are used for construction. In addition, masons create additional income sources. Concrete frames are quite popular in the south of Sri Lanka, but hardly used in the north.
Deforestation
House construction needs a lot of resources, especially. wood. During the conflict, a lot of trees have been destroyed. In addition, for the construction of a roof of a standard house, four palmira trees are necessary. Beneficiaries are handed over two seedlings of their choice to stop deforestation and promote home gardening.
