Helping the Community Build Homes in the Conflict-Area of Batticoloa

After the tsunami hit East Asia in December, 2004, there was little evidence that thriving communities existed in Batticoloa, the North East region of Sri Lanka. Walking along the coast a skeleton of a home could occasionally be seen; sometimes a dislodged well or a stripped boat washed up on shore. When CRWRC began to work alongside communities, families had been living in makeshift huts scattered throughout the landscape.

In 2005, CRWRC Director of Disaster Relief Jacob Kramer and International Relief Manager (IRM) Jack Schenk arrived in the region soon after the tsunami. They discovered that though the region had been devastated by the tsunami, the Tamil people who lived there were not receiving assistance. Other relief organizations had hesitated to work in Batticoloa, believing the conflict area to be too unstable. Batticoloan communities were not seen as a priority by the government either, since they lived so close to the conflict area. Kramer and Schenk decided to work towards establishing a project there in spite of the many potential challenges.

In the first year after the tsunami, CRWRC’s relief efforts were led by IRMs Marvin and Loraine Vander Valk and focused in the South West. In order to mount a response in the North East, an office was established in Batticoloa and new IRMs George and Toni Fernhout were appointed by CRWRC. In late 2005 work began to provide permanent shelter for a number of communities in the Batticoloa region. Along the North Eastern coast of Sri Lanka a total of 707 homes were built with the help of CRWRC. Homes were built in the villages of Mankadu, Kurrulmadam, Mannar, Kaluthavalilai, Cheddiplayam, and Arayanpathy. Projects began in December 2006 and finished in April 2008.

While identifying beneficiaries CRWRC was careful to give funding to families that needed it the most. Community groups were formed in each village to help CRWRC identify the poorest families. Later these groups helped communicate the intent behind the selection process to ineligible applicants who were angry that they had not received funding.

Just as the communities were involved in the early stages of the planning process, they continued to participate once construction began. The owner-driven approach resulted in families negotiating materials and labour at more reasonable costs than an international agency could arrange. By encouraging the community to take responsibility for the construction of their own homes, CRWRC helped empower families to address the challenges of their situation without relying too heavily on an international agency.

CRWRC worked alongside home owners to help them stay as close to the 500 square feet plan as was practical. They also provided funds: for every $6,000 (U.S.) house, CRWRC contributed $3,500, with the Sri Lankan government making up the difference. CRWRC developed a strong relationship with both government officials and communities in Batticoloa. While the communities’ capacity was built through the teams’ technical support, advice, and encouragement, CRWRC learned more about how to make the owner-driven approach a success. Community members were further empowered through livelihood activities; many now have the same type of jobs they had prior to the tsunami. Around half the population earns their living fishing or farming. The rest work as labourers, government employees, or small business owners.

After construction was completed a satisfaction survey was conducted. Home owners who were interviewed indicated that they are happy with their houses. They are grateful to CRWRC for helping them build homes that would have taken years to afford on their own.

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