A bilateral grant between Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and World Vision Canada; Rural Integrated Water and Sanitation, Hygiene (RIWASH) achieved much of its set targets for year 2008. Completed projects support the Sri Lanka Government’s policy on “Rural Water Supply and Sanitation”, which is aimed at improving the service delivery mechanism in the water and sanitation sectors.

This project benefited communities in Ampara and Batticoloa districts.

Beginning December 26, 2004 World Vision began a disaster response of unprecedented scale when the Tsunami struck the shores of Sri Lanka. After reaching out and setting up makeshift offices in each district, the emergency response soon led to the initiation of multi-year programmes in the areas of child protection, civil society, economic recovery, health and nutrition, shelter, infrastructure, and water and sanitation, covering the geographical areas of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Kalutara and Colombo. The overarching goal of the programme was not only to restore pre-tsunami conditions, but to provide an improved quality of life to all affected communities.

The Tsunami response programme was completed in September 2008.

The main objective of the project was to help small-scale dry zone farmers to establish sustainable integrated farming system on their homestead. This was allowed to them to earn a regular and reasonable income, couple with value addition to their products and collective marketing.

3,043 farmers were selected directly from 8 ADP s and around 5,000 farmers indirectly benefit from the project. The selected ADP area for this project was located in a rural area where more than 70% of the population dependent on agriculture as their own income source.