The German Embassy in Colombo and the Voluntary Organization for Vulnerable Community Development (VOVCOD) are providing poverty-stricken families in Vavuniya District with water sources, the Embassy said.

The German Embassy, under its Micro Project Scheme, has provided a grant of € 9,600 (approx. Rs. 1.9 million) in collaboration with implementing partner VOVCOD to ensure access to clean and safe water for drinking and other facilities in remote areas of Vavuniya District.

This initiative is aimed at improving living conditions of the recently resettled residents of Eeswaripuram village with the construction of 10 water wells which will benefit over 160 poverty-stricken families not only with access to clean drinking water but also with sustainable management of their agricultural production, which has become the main livelihood of many of the IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) residing in this area, thus improving their challenging economic situation.

This is the third project the Embassy has implemented in collaboration with VOVCOD thereby continuing the long standing relations with the organization.

While development of water and sanitation systems in rural communities in Sri Lanka has always been a key focus in many micro projects supported by the German Embassy, it now holds increased value and significance as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic where sanitation and hygiene are of critical importance. Underprivileged communities are therefore subjected to immense jeopardy with no adequate access to safe water and hygiene facilities especially during such difficult times which add on to the looming threat of many other water-borne diseases.

The agreement of this project was signed on the 3rd of June 2020 between Ambassador Jörn Rohde and Program Director of VOVCOD Mr. Tharmalingam Ganesh.

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