The International Organization for Migration (IOM) works to encourage social and economic development through migration, and remains committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.

IOM in Sri Lanka works in close partnership with national and local government institutions, non-governmental agencies, grass-roots, community organizations and the donor community, to assist national entities to address pressing and complex challenges in migration management, to respond to the needs created by humanitarian emergencies in the country and to ensure improved living conditions for vulnerable communities.

“Our focus is on vulnerable families, such as female-headed households, the elderly and the disabled. By improving access to shelter, and providing clean water and health care, USAID is providing some of the critical services these people need to begin to rebuild their lives,” said US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis.

“Thousands of displaced families are returning to their home districts with very little by way of shelter, water, sanitation and basic health services. IOM will tailor this assistance to plug the gaps and meet the most immediate needs in these areas,” said IOM Sri Lanka Chief of Mission Mohammed Abdi Ker.

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Permanent Housing for More Sri Lankan Tsunami Survivors Five Years On

Permanent Housing for More Sri Lankan Tsunami Survivors Five Years On

Colombo - As the fifth anniversary of the Asian tsunami approaches, a group of 25 tsunami-affected families from a small community north of the Sri Lanka capital, Colombo, will be moving into permanent new homes built through a government-IOM initiative.

More than 35,000 people in Sri Lanka alone were killed and more than half a million displaced when an earthquake off the Indonesian coast on 26 December 2004 triggered a series of devastating tsunami along coastlines in the Indian Ocean.

The homes, built with funding from the Dutch government, are part of a larger IOM tsunami recovery programme that has built about 8,570 emergency and transitional shelters and 570 permanent homes for tsunami-affected communities along the southern and eastern coast of the island nation. About 43,000 people have benefitted.

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A Triumph over Disaster and a Beacon of Hope for the Next Generation

Students attend the inauguration of their newly reconstructed school building at Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam in eastern Sri Lanka. The reconstruction was carried out by IOM and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, as part of a much wider EU tsunami recovery aid programme. © IOM 2009 (Photo: Stacey Winston)

Vakarai - On a bright Tuesday morning in late September, Vakarai – a sleepy fishing village located about 300 kilometres east of the capital Colombo on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka – bustled with activity.

Its villagers, who recovered from the destruction of the 2004 tsunami and the devastation of the armed conflict earlier this year, savour the peace and tranquility that now surround their village. But on that particular day the villagers, especially the children, had more reason to be happy. They were preparing for the presidential opening of their newly reconstructed school, Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam.

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IOM, Sri Lanka Police Department Create Human Trafficking Database

IOM and the Sri Lanka Police Department have created a UK-funded database to combat human trafficking.

The database, hosted at the Police Criminal Records Division, will house relevant statistical data on trafficking and will be used to update information on trafficking cases progressively, helping to track them and identify trends and individuals concerned.

“There is a considerable gap in data between identified and prosecuted cases of human trafficking. The aim of the database is to bridge that gap,” says Anuradhi Navaratnam, who manages IOM Sri Lanka’s Counter Trafficking Unit.

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IOM and Institute of Policy Studies Launch “International Migration Outlook - Sri Lanka 2008″

International Migration Outlook – Sri Lanka 2008

IOM and the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) have launched the first edition of: “International Migration Outlook - Sri Lanka 2008.”

The report, which is based on a study conducted by IPS and commissioned by IOM, outlines a comprehensive analysis of the trends, patterns and changes in migration from Sri Lanka in recent years. The report also addresses a long-standing need to streamline Sri Lanka’s international migration data for better planning and decision-making in migration management activities in the country.

During the past decade, the numbers of migrants from Sri Lanka - be it for economic, educational, social or political reasons - have increased. So has the importance of challenges brought about by international migration including social change, cultural adaptation, threats to national security and identity and resource allocation.

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Ampara’s dairy farmers receive assistance from EU

The European Commission (EC), through its implementing partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provides a milk chilling centre for the dairy farmers of Bandaradoowa Village, Uhana, in Ampara, eastern Sri Lanka.

This project, actioned by the EC and implemented through IOM, has included the construction of a new building - consisting of six rooms and toilet facilities - a boundary wall and gate, landscaping, drainage, electricity and water connection, and perhaps most importantly, the supply and installation of a milk cooler which can hold 500 litres of milk, and keep it cool, at any one time.

Average household income in Bandaradoowa is currently around LKR 3,180 per month, and of the 309 households, 43 are female headed and two thirds are registered Samurdhi recipients.

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Ampara’s dairy farmers receive assistance from EU