At a time when Sri Lanka was reeling under the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sevalanka Foundation, in collaboration with The Nippon Foundation, launched a timely humanitarian initiative to support the most vulnerable communities across the island.
The project, which spanned from August 2021 to May 2023, was carried out in 10 districts, providing essential food relief and livelihood support to thousands of families left most affected by the pandemic and its economic aftermath.
The project, which spanned from August 2021 to May 2023, was carried out in 10 districts, providing essential food relief and livelihood support to thousands of families left most affected by the pandemic and its economic aftermath.
Phase 1: Urgent Relief for Families in Need
During the height of the pandemic’s 4th wave, thousands of families were facing food shortages and income loss due to extended lockdowns and business closures. In response, Sevalanka Foundation distributed:
- 1,000 dry ration packs containing staples such as rice, flour, sugar, dhal, tea, sprats, chickpeas, soya meat, soap, and facemasks.
- 800 children’s nutrition packs for infants and children under five, including baby milk powder, cereal, biscuits, and hygiene items like hand sanitizers.
Distributions were carried out in Hambantota, Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Jaffna, reaching over 1,800 vulnerable families across multiple Divisional Secretariats and GN divisions.
Families in quarantine were also reached with doorstep deliveries—ensuring no one was left behind.
Phase 2: Empowering Families Through Livelihood Recovery
Once basic food needs were met, the focus shifted to long-term recovery. The second phase supported 402 individuals with in-kind assistance to revive or establish small-scale, home-based livelihoods.
Support was customized based on the needs and skills of each beneficiary and included:
This process included:
The initiative helped breadwinners who had lost their jobs or sources of income due to the pandemic re-establish economic activities—offering not just goods, but hope for a sustainable future.
Support was customized based on the needs and skills of each beneficiary and included:
This process included:
- Orientation programmes for field staff to align on implementation procedures.
- Needs assessments and business plan development based on individual skills and local economic conditions.
- Tailored in-kind livelihood support distributed between January 2022 and May 2023 across nine districts.
The initiative helped breadwinners who had lost their jobs or sources of income due to the pandemic re-establish economic activities—offering not just goods, but hope for a sustainable future.
A Grateful Acknowledgement
This impactful project was made possible through the generous partnership with The Nippon Foundation. Their unwavering support and commitment to Sri Lanka’s vulnerable communities played a vital role in ensuring hope, sustenance, and recovery reached every corner of the country.
At Sevalanka Foundation, we remain committed to supporting those in need—not just in times of crisis, but every step of the way toward a better tomorrow.
As a social enterprise, we continue to catalyze inclusive and sustainable development by empowering entrepreneurial people across Sri Lanka.
At Sevalanka Foundation, we remain committed to supporting those in need—not just in times of crisis, but every step of the way toward a better tomorrow.
As a social enterprise, we continue to catalyze inclusive and sustainable development by empowering entrepreneurial people across Sri Lanka.