Working with families to ensure they're resilient in the face of big challenges
IN HIS OWN WORDS • TISSA WIJETUNGA, HOPE PARTNER IN SRI LANKA
Tissa Wijetunga, Executive Director of HOPE partner, the Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation (SLCDF) shares the vision and plan for how people in Sri Lanka will become resilient in the face of changes to the country’s climate.
The Challenge
Lower crop yields, increased periods of drought and the ever-decreasing availability of fresh water challenges families to adjust their lives to mitigate the changes to local climate and water scarcity. Families need to become even more resilient, and quickly.
The Vision
SLCDF intends to help families and communities significantly increase their household resilience to food and livelihood threats so they are not vulnerable and at risk of losing the gains they've made.
The Big Picture
SLCDF’s three-year plan starts this year. Each action families will take are community-driven. In total, more than 2,750 people will benefit through this long-term plan.
The Plan for Resiliency
Keep water in the ground so it's there when needed...
Improve soil above water tables by planting trees and ground cover to protect catchment, irrigation and domestic supply reservoirs
Use less water with improved farming methods and reduce water loss by repairing irrigation water canals
Repair village water storage tanks to capture water during the rainy season for use in the dry season
Put more nutrients into the soil than are taken out...
Regenerate soil nutrients and enhance biodiversity through organic methods of small-scale farming
Use drought-resistant seeds
Protect the fertility of the soil and human health by using organic fertilizers that replenish the soil
Help forests do their job: protect people and the environment...
Plant trees and foliage in water catchment areas and on farm lands to restore the ability of the ground to store water long-term
Protect the surrounding areas of the repaired village water storage tanks by planting trees to create a forest canopy