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ILO support for North

The International Labour Organisation has initiated a project in support of 3,725 women and men, in the Mannar, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, and Mullaitivu districts, to earn an income, as well as sustain their livelihood, through several short-term relief mechanisms.
According to a statement issued by the ILO Office, Colombo, these include temporary employment in infrastructure developments, related to improving irrigation for farming, clearing farm access paths, and renovating fisheries landing sites, alongside providing agriculture inputs ranging from subsidised seeds to equipment, financial assistance towards labour and land preparation, as well as strengthening market access, via the private sector.
As Sri Lanka experiences its worst economic crisis, close to 30% of its population are facing food insecurity, while the rising poverty rate continues to push more families below the poverty line. “People with existing vulnerabilities are among the most impacted in any crisis. The present situation has meant that vulnerable and marginalized groups, in the Northern Province; a region already burdened with higher than national average unemployment and poverty, are forced to grapple with further exacerbated challenges in carrying on their day-to-day lives. Especially for those engaged in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, their livelihoods have been severely disrupted from all fronts,” says Dr. Thomas Kring, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO Sri Lanka.