As a result of the protracted conflict in Sri Lanka, much of the infrastructure in the North and East was either badly damaged or completely destroyed. Upon their eventual return, internally displaced people possessed little financial and other resources and as a consequence, were incapable of rebuilding the damaged facilities.

Implemented by UN-Habitat and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, with funding from the Government of Japan, European Union, Government of Australia, Government of Switzerland and the Coca-Cola Foundation, the post conflict reconstruction programme contributed significantly towards the development of conflict affected villages.

This book is a pictorial testimony of community recovery, highlighting the resilience and spirit of the people in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

In May 2009, three decades of conflict came to end in Sri Lanka. While the entire country had suffered as a result, districts in the North and East were devastated. Families were displaced on multiple occasions, compelled to leave their homes for many years. When people eventually returned to their villages, most of their houses had been either badly damaged or completely destroyed. As the majority of people affected were relatively poor with marginal incomes and little or no savings, they were unable to sustain major financial shocks, especially the loss of livelihoods and housing.

Through a series of photographs taken by UN-Habitat and SDC staff members during the implementation of the project, this publication documents the stories of courage, resilience and recovery of a cross section of the homeowners who have successfully reconstructed their homes.

The Programme in Sri Lanka is based on a rich portfolio of recent and ongoing projects in the human settlements sector. Through interaction with Sri Lanka’s development partners and increasingly also humanitatian agencies, the HCPD has been prepared, including the human settlements agenda as incorporated in the UNDAF.

While for some of the proposed activities funds have been identified, there are activities in the pipeline, which still require funding.