LEADS

• Safeguarding Children
• Empowering Communities
• Responding to Emergencies
• Special Initiatives

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. Many attribute the crisis to the government’s ban on artificial fertilizer last year, a short-sighted tax policy, and wasteful public spending.

Government mismanagement of the economy has been compounded by COVID-19 shutdowns and the war in Ukraine’s disruption of the global supply chain. The value of the Sri Lankan rupee plummeted as well – in February 2022, 200 rupees could be exchanged for US $1. By the end of May 2022, it would take 360 rupees to do the same. The country’s foreign reserves have dwindled, making the purchase of food and fuel imports increasingly difficult and expensive.

Rising fuel prices have triggered inflation elsewhere, especially of food. In July 2022, year-over-year food inflation reached a staggering 90%. Because of the rising food prices, many families have had to reduce food consumption, even by skipping meals. The government has cut subsidies for school meals, putting extra pressure on low-income families to provide for their children. Without meals incentivizing attendance, many children avoid coming to school altogether. Those who come often struggle in their studies due to the lack of food.

• Dry ration vouchers are a simple yet very effective method of providing families with access to food.
• School meals not only protect children from starvation but also incentivize school attendance and in turn better prepare those students for the future.
• Community kitchens feed nearby Sri Lankans so that fuel for long-distance delivery is not needed.
• Community gardens not only provide food for local families but also create economic opportunities in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

LEADS is also aware of the economic crisis’ devastating impact on children. The organisation distributes flyers educating communities on child protection as well as incorporates child protection training into food security and livelihood initiatives.

In emergency situations such as floods or other natural disasters, LEADS continues to distribute relief packs consisting of both food and non-food items. They also remain committed to providing psychosocial support and post-disaster recovery assistance to survivors of disasters.

LEADS remains dedicated to its support of survivors of child abuse through its residential and non-residential therapeutic centres in the Northern, Western and Uva Provinces. Support includes counselling and therapy, long-term family strengthening, legal aid, reintegration assistance and follow-up until the child reaches a state of normalcy.