2,455 families to benefit from the house building component of a Euro 14 million grant.
His Excellency Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, being welcomed by the homeowners at the project site in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka.
Left to Right: Dr. Dinesh Kanagaratnam – National Director, HFHSL, Asst. director of planning – Karachchi DS, Mr. Jude Perera – World Vision Lanka, Mr. Arumainayagam – Government Agent , Kilinochchi, H.E. Tung Lai Margue, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Mr. Ernesto Castro-Gracia – Director, Regional Programs, Habitat for Humanity International Asia Pacific Office
Date: 16th February 2017
Location: Maruthanagar GN, Karachchi DS, Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka
Photo credits: Christian Sujith
COLOMBO, 18 February 2017 – More than 215, 000 people will benefit from a Euro 14 million multi-faceted housing project, financed by the European Union (EU), and implemented by Habitat for Humanity and World Vision Lanka.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives for the Delegation of the European Union (EU), HE Tung-Laï Margue said, “I am hopeful that this project will assist in providing returnee families with not just homes and livelihood alternatives but also the necessary support to rebuild a life and a future for themselves. The goal has always been to turn the cycle of impoverishment and reliance to that of self-sufficiency, and I am encouraged to see that we are moving in the right direction through this initiative”.
His Excellency Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, laying the foundation stones for houses to be constructed under the EU funded project “Homes not houses: Building sustainable future” in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka
Left to Right: Mrs. Ledsumanan Thanaledsumy (beneficiary), H.E. Tung-Lai Margue Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and Dr. Dinesh Kanagaratnam, National Director HFHSL.
Date : 16th February 2017
Location : Maruthanagar GN, Karachchi DS, Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka
Photo credits : Christian Sujith
The project, which bridges the gap between relief, rehabilitation and development, aims to build 2,315 houses and repair 140 homes in 31 divisions across Batticaloa, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu by early 2020. It utilises alternative materials and techniques to reduce constructions costs, while ensuring decent housing, and to encourage the use and production of locally manufactured earth blocks and construction materials.
“The project is aptly entitled ‘Homes not Houses’. Indeed we wish to see thriving communities that are self-sufficient, stable and strong, once our building work is done and we are long gone. Thanks to the focus of this funding from the European Union the project aims to boost the local economy by investing in earth-based technologies which are cost-effective and sustainable,” said Torre Nelson, Area Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Habitat for Humanity.
Beneficiaries of the EU funded project “Homes not houses: Building sustainable future”, handing over the foundation stone of their future home to His Excellency Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka
Date : 17th February 2017
Location : Suthanthirapuran GN, Puthukudiyuruppu DS, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka
Photo credits : Christian Sujith
The project activities include:
- Access to permanent housing including houses built with innovative materials (compressed stabilized earth blocks and earth concrete blocks).
- Appropriate incremental building through microcredit to expand a home or create a place of business.
- “Flanking measures” relating to general livelihood support for families and communities such as vocational training in construction, training in appropriate building materials and methods, and forming and strengthening small and medium enterprises.
- Training families in financial literacy including savings plans, microfinance and basics of business. Improved access to appropriate microfinance and management of debt.
A more holistic approach of strengthening community-based organizations, supporting disaster risk reduction, peace building and gender equity.
His Excellency Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives meeting a beneficiary family of the EU funded project “Homes not houses: Building sustainable future”, in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka
Date : 17th February 2017
Location : Suthanthirapuran GN, Puthukudiyuruppu DS, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka
Photo credits : Christian Sujith
Commenting, on this endeavor, National Director of World Vision Lanka, Dhanan Senathirajah, said “We are proud to be associated with this project. One of the main strengths of World Vision Lanka is its community engagement and livelihood development expertise. I believe our interventions in this sphere will be key to transform houses into happy and stable homes.”