ChildFund is a leading international non-government organisation (INGO) mandated to help deprived, excluded and vulnerable children. Due to the increasing number of natural and man-made hazards and vulnerability levels in Sri Lanka, ChildFund Sri Lanka initiated the project “Ecosystem-based, Youth-led Disaster Risk Reduction” to introduce and implement Eco-DRR approaches at village level and to improve youth capacities and leadership towards Eco-DRR efforts. Considering IUCN’s technical expertise related to nature conservation approaches and tools, ChildFund partnered with IUCN in July 2018 to implement the project in four selected districts  in Sri Lanka: Batticaloa, Nuwaraeliya, Mullaitivu and Puttalam.

The scope assigned to IUCN was to build the capacities of different stakeholder groups including civil society organisations (CSOs), youth, children and communities on Eco-DRR approaches and to support the group to develop their village level plans using various techniques. Some of the techniques introduced include mapping exercises using advanced user-friendly systems, vulnerability assessments, identification of ecosystems, and monitoring and evaluation tools.

Dr Ananda Mallawatantri, Country Representative, IUCN SRI Lanka, made the introductory presentation on the Ecological approach for Disaster-Risk Reduction: Eco-DRR at the workshop. The informative presentation covered topics such as different types of ecosystems, climate change influence in Sri Lanka, ecosystem approaches in DRR including climate adaptation, key entry points to incorporate Eco-DRR at local levels, information management and other support services. Selected projects implemented by IUCN Sri Lanka were highlighted to explain the topics covered and Dr Mallawatantri concluded his presentation with a list of key areas for youth engagement. 

Further training will be organised at Divisional Secretariat level and village level to improve knowledge and build capacity on Eco-DRR.