Participatory improvement of water supply, sanitation and hygiene in resettlement areas (PIWASHRA), Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka faced a long civil war between the Tamil separatist movement and the Sri Lankan army ending in 2009. Thereafter, arche noVa implemented its project focusing on the rehabilitation of war-damaged infrastructure, especially the reconstruction of suitable adapted water supply systems in cooperation with the resettled communities in Eastern Sri Lanka. Through the direct involvement of the users in project planning and implementation (Cash for work) and the establishment of water committees, we ensured the participation of the target group and thereby initiated ownership and strengthening of their self-reliance. The inclusion of income-generating activities improved the operation and maintenance of water supply and contributed to the sustainability of the project.