raised for Restore Hope appeal. Give Today
close
COVID-19 infections are decreasing in Sri Lanka. The average daily number of new cases was 184 for the week prior to 6th April. The country had administered enough doses to fully vaccinate about 2.1% of its 22.0 million people by 6th April. Families in poverty throughout South Asia, including Sri Lanka, will continue to suffer drastic losses in health, nutrition and social well-being due to disruptions in services caused by the pandemic, according to a report released by the United Nations in March. That report predicted an increase in child and maternal deaths, malnutrition, child stunting, and adolescent deaths from non-COVID preventable diseases.
READ MOREkeyboard_arrow_down READ LESSkeyboard_arrow_up
Thank you for praying for children and families in Sri Lanka who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
For families living day-to-day in Sri Lanka, the pandemic and quarantine measures that followed drove them into further hardship. Day labourers like seven-year-old Pravin’s father, struggled to support the needs of their families and were worried they’d have no food to eat. Read more open_in_new
The situation
Heavy rains, strong winds and flooding have occurred throughout Sri Lanka since mid-May, particularly in the Western and North-Western provinces. Many homes were flooded and household items damaged as a result. Local staff have been assessing the impact to families in their communities and seeking to provide appropriate support based upon need.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 2 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 457
New information
Torrential rain and wind continued throughout May. Relief efforts have been made more difficult by COVID-19 restrictions and curfews. Local partners have worked hard to distribute food, water and other basic items to affected families wherever possible.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the protection and provision of affected children, families and local partners.
The situation
Heavy rains, strong winds and flooding have occurred throughout Sri Lanka since mid-May, particularly in the Western and North-Western provinces. Many homes were flooded and household items damaged as a result.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: not yet confirmed. Number of Compassion assisted children affected: not yet confirmed.
New information
Local staff are assessing the impact of the flooding to children and families. Our local partners are navigating COVID-19 curfews and restrictions as they seek to provide support to those affected. Staff are encouraging families to relocate temporarily to safer areas where possible, so they can prepare meals, have a dry place to sleep and safe shelter.
Prayer
Please pray for the protection and provision of affected children, families and local partners.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, many child development centres in Sri Lanka are temporarily closed. Our local partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Sri Lanka typically attend program activities at the local child development centre on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Sri Lanka.
8:00am – A time for songs, games and introductions.
10:30am – Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
11:00am – Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm – Lunch and social time. Children enjoy a meal of rice, meat or fish, vegetables and fruit.
1:00pm – Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene lessons.
2:00pm – Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
Children can also attend camps, sporting events, field trips and talent shows. Parents of Compassion assisted children meet once a month to learn about a variety of topics.
mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births
children under the age of five die per 1000 births
of children are underweight
Sri Lanka is slowly emerging from a brutal decades-long civil war that resulted in mass displacement and tens of thousands of deaths. But this beautiful, scenic nation carries the scars of the conflict—and poverty continues to hold many children back.
In 2009, the Sinhalese-majority government army forced a complete defeat for the Tamil Tigers (known as the LTTE), ending a long and bitter conflict. Civilians were caught in the crossfire throughout the 26-year long war, and between 80,000 and 100,000 people were killed.
While the fighting has stopped, the legacy of the conflict lingers. By the end of 2012, the majority of those who fled during the civil war had returned to Sri Lanka, but thousands have been unable to return to their communities and remain internally displaced.
Poverty still affects millions of Sri Lankans, mostly in the northern and eastern regions. It is greatest among rural and remote communities and it affects minority groups disproportionately. Those living as labourers on tea estates face the greatest disadvantages in gaining access to education, healthcare, better quality food and housing.
Child labour and forced labour trap many families in generational poverty; but recent efforts to improve access to education have helped many more children (particularly girls) to enter the classroom. The quality of education needs to improve, as schools and teachers often don’t have the resources they need to get the best results for children, but enrolment rates are strong—which is a source of hope for the next generation of Sri Lankan children.
Many daily wage earners have lost work and their families face increased hunger and hardship in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local partners and staff continue to reach out to offer encouragement and support; they are delivering food packs and medical support to meet immediate, urgent needs.
READ MOREkeyboard_arrow_down READ LESSkeyboard_arrow_up
The COVID-19 pandemic will have a major impact on those living in poverty, likely for years to come. Learn how... Read more
As the rainy season sweeps in, Iresha lies with her back to the wall, taking comfort in its strength, its stability. One year ago, a gale ripped the roof from her family’s house and they scrambled for shelter just minutes before a tree came crashing down. But now, as she nears sleep, she knows that her new home will see them through the coming storm... Read more
Every continent has its own customs and quirks, including baby names! Check out the most popular ones for children in child development centres across 25 countries—there’s a lot that can be revealed with just a name... Read more