Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, HI supports communities facing climate change by promoting resilient farming practices and helping vulnerable communities to diversify their livelihoods.
Arumugam Pakkiyam lives in Redbanapuram, a small village in the east of Sri Lanka that is frequently affected by flooding. | © HI
Our actions
In Sri Lanka, HI works to strengthen the resilience of the most impacted communities in the face of the challenges posed by climate change, whilst adopting an inclusive approach. The first project aims to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters by promoting resilient agricultural practices, such as adopting appropriate farming methods, crop and livelihood diversification, and irrigation techniques that respect water management principles. It places particular emphasis on the groups in need, notably women, young people, and people with disabilities.
HI also works with low-income fishing communities in the northern and eastern provinces. The organization seeks to improve their ability to adapt to climate change through marine ecosystem restoration, livelihood diversification, and inclusive governance. Particular attention is paid to women's economic empowerment, with training in financial literacy and income-generating activities such as sea cucumber and oyster farming.
- Number of HI staff: 5
- People directly supported by HI in 2025: 554
- People indirectly supported by HI in 2025: 1,651
- Program launch date: 1992
Areas of intervention
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Improving the livelihoods of the most vulnerable people
HI promotes the inclusive employment of the most vulnerable individuals in Sri Lanka.
a life
Background
Sri Lanka faces a particularly fragile socio-economic situation, a direct consequence of the severe economic crisis of 2022. The effects of this crisis, characterized by persistent inflation, significant food insecurity, and a widespread deterioration in living conditions, continue to weigh heavily on the most affected populations. Access to essential services, notably health, education, water, and energy, remains very limited, particularly in rural areas and deprived urban neighborhoods.
In 2025, 6 to 7 million people experienced moderate to severe food insecurity. The continuing rise in the cost of staple foods, combined with insufficient incomes, is forcing many households to reduce both the quality and quantity of their diet. Malnutrition particularly affects children, with worrying rates of stunting and wasting, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women. Socially, poverty has risen sharply, from less than 15 percent before 2022 to over 25 percent in 2025.
Certain regions are particularly exposed, notably the northern and eastern districts, which have been historically marginalized following several decades of conflict, as well as rural areas. Fishing and farming communities, which are heavily dependent on imported fuel and agricultural inputs, have seen their livelihoods severely compromised. This situation is worsened by frequent climate-related disasters, such as floods and droughts, which increase food insecurity and damage infrastructure. Health and social protection systems, already under strain, are struggling to meet rapidly increasing needs.
Furthermore, in late 2025, Cyclone Ditwah took a heavy toll on the country. Accompanied by torrential rain, it caused widespread flooding and landslides across all 25 districts. More than 1.6 million people were affected, and nearly 833,000 were displaced, whilst thousands of homes and essential infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. The mountainous areas in the center of the country were particularly hard hit, with deadly landslides.
Despite the efforts of the government and humanitarian organizations, the population's needs remain considerable. Without a significant increase in international support, millions will continue to face precarious living conditions and limited access to essential services.
- Population: 22.3 million
- HDI: 0.776 (2023)
- GDP: 99 billion USD (2024)
- GDP per capita: 4,516 USD (2024)
