Sri Lanka

© DLVT/Handicap International

In Sri Lanka, Handicap International runs projects to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, people injured in the conflict, and their families.

We support the active participation and social inclusion of disabled people by working with partners to implement services within the framework of the country's 2003 National Policy on Disability.

In 1992 Handicap International started a project to support the training of rehabilitation professionals in Colombo and Jaffna. Following years of armed conflict a project was established in the north and east of the country to support local mine clearance efforts. A year later, a Physical Rehabilitation Centre was set up for mine victims in the eastern city of Batticaloa.

Key facts

People with disabilities were amongst the vulnerable groups most affected by three decades of armed conflict in The Philippines. Amputees, people with spinal cord injuries and complex fractures struggle to access physical rehabilitation services.

Disabled people are particularly vulnerable when natural disasters strike. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26th December 2004 killed 35,000 people and left 250,000 people homeless. In 2010 another 300,000 people were forced to leave their homes after torrential flooding.

• Human Development Index: 97th out of 187
• Life expectancy: 75 years
• Population: 21.5 million
_{^{Source: UNDP HDR 2011}}

Our projects

	Improving access to quality physical rehabilitation services for people with physical disabilities and injuries in conflict-affected Sri Lanka Goal: To enable the effective inclusion and meaningful participation of disabled people in society. We are supporting local rehabilitation services including the provision of prosthetics & orthotics for people that have lived through years of war. In 2008 Prosthetic & Orthotic workshop was established at the National Children's Hospital in Colombo and we also offer technical support to two major hospitals in the north of Sri Lanka providing physical rehabilitation services, mobility aids, and prosthetic and orthotic devices. Beneficiaries: People with disabilities and staff at health centres, district hospitals, disabled people's organisations and local and national NGOs.
	Disability inclusive development: Capacity-building for the rehabilitation sector(South Asia) Regional project run in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India and Sri Lanka Goal: To increase the participation of disabled people in civil society and in efforts to strengthen and rebuild their country. The projects aims to ensure that those living in geographically-isolated areas on the very margins of society can access physical rehabilitation services. Beneficiaries: People with disabilities and community-based rehabilitation staff.
	Sports for All in northern Sri Lanka Goal: To improve the quality of life of children and young people with disabilities through social integration and personal development. In Vavuniya we are working with sports clubs, schools and local authorities to develop inclusive sport activities that promote disabled children and young people playing together with their non disabled peers. Beneficiaries: Disabled and non-disabled children and young people.
	Socio-economic empowerment of conflict-affected communities (North and East Sri Lanka) Goal: To support communities affected by conflict and subsequent displacement to access sustainable livelihood activities and reduce any community tensions. People with disabilities are proactively included in the planning and implementation of project activities, which include improving access to legal and psychosocial support services and training for staff to ensure opportunities for income generation are open to everyone. Beneficiaries: People with disabilities and communities affected by conflict and subsequent displacement, local authorities and community based organisations.
	Including the most vulnerable populations in natural disaster risk reduction and preparedness activities (South Asia) Regional project run in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Goal: To increase awareness so that local communities in eastern Sri Lanka have the capacity to make sure all members of the community are included in planning for natural disasters. We work with communities to recognise and understand how all people can be included in disaster risk management. Examples of good inclusive practice are shared in order to improve local, district and national plans. Beneficiaries: People with disabilities, community volunteers, Disaster and Shelter Management Committees, Community Disaster Response teams and disabled people's organisations.