As Sri Lanka goes through a multi-dimensional crisis, our Network Coordinator, Rhiza Nery, visited the country to work with CBi Member Network in the country, the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management. Here’s her story.
“That was a very different Sri Lanka at that time...”, remarked our panel moderator when I told her that I first traveled to Sri Lanka in 2017. The economic outlook was positive, driven by a dynamic tourism sector and investments in education, health and digital technologies, and The Lions (Sri Lanka’s national men’s cricket team) played their first day-night Test in Dubai.
In August, I went back to Colombo to support our Member Network, the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka (A-PAD SL), for their annual international symposium and meetings. I knew that this trip would be different—Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic crisis since independence. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 5.7 million people urgently need humanitarian assistance. With skyrocketing inflation and supply chain bottlenecks, millions of people are struggling to purchase everyday goods. Health and education services have been seriously disrupted, too. Surveys show that 70% of households had to reduce food consumption, due to the rising cost of food.
"A multi-dimensional crisis” is the term used by humanitarian agencies to describe the situation in Sri Lanka. When we talk about humanitarian crises, we sometimes think that a singular event—whether coming from a natural hazard (such as a tropical cyclone or earthquake) or from violence or conflict—is what triggers the emergency, when in fact it is the entire context in which these events occur that defines a crisis. Unfortunately, this is what we saw unfold in Sri Lanka—with the compounding effects of the economic stress, the impact of COVID-19 on critical industries such as the tourism sector, and the shortage of critical supplies such as fuel, fertilizer, food and medicine which has sadly affected the most vulnerable and at-risk communities.
A multi-dimensional crisis is one that highlights the multi-faceted inequalities and vulnerabilities of a country and its people. That is why a multi-sectoral approach is needed to address the impacts of such a crisis, because no one actor can do this alone. This is always our battle cry at the Connecting Business initiative (CBi), a programme by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): that local business networks such as A-PAD SL have a critical role to play when it comes to disaster resilience. A-PAD Sri Lanka is one of the 14 CBi Member Networks around the world and a founding member of CBi. Since our launch in 2016, these private sector networks have responded to more than 100 disasters ranging from cyclones, major earthquakes, violence and armed conflict, and have helped more than 18 million people in need.
Fostering partnerships to help respond to crises
One of the aspects of the ongoing crisis is the severe disruption of the school system across the country: with fuel and electricity shortages, children can no longer travel to school, while others can’t afford a school lunch anymore and stay at home. Most schools have been closed for months, yet education is a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s economy. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report , Sri Lanka ranks 73 out of 191 countries in terms of human development, thanks in part to the quality of its education and health systems. The literacy rate in the country is at 92%, well above the regional average of 74% (World Bank Data).
When the crisis hit the country, A-PAD SL mobilized local businesses, in particular their partner HSBC bank, to support school children and their communities. By providing food and school supplies, the project help limit school dropouts.
My trip also coincided with the network’s 7th International Symposium, gathering key partners from the business community, Government, academia and civil society to share best practices and experiences under the theme “Crisis in crises: Unlocking the power of alliance towards innovative recovery”. Firzan Hashim or Hush who is the country director of A-PAD Sri Lanka, made it clear from his opening remarks that the event was an opportunity for all partners to look forward and upward, focusing on aspirations and concrete next steps towards recovery. This is what I witnessed; a gathering of different partners agreeing to work together and focus on concrete solutions by leveraging their expertise and good practices dealing with the impact of the multi-dimensional crisis.
Building disaster resilience in Sri Lanka and beyond
As CBi’s Network Coordinator, I support private sector networks such A-PAD SL in engaging in disaster preparedness, response and recovery initiatives. I’ve known A-PAD SL since 2016, and I’ve seen how the network, under the leadership of Hush and with the support of his amazing team, has worked over the years on different disaster risk reduction and management programmes for the most vulnerable communities.
A-PAD SL has been recognized by different global partners for leading search and rescue training in swift waters and rope training for hundreds of volunteers across the country. This year and in partnership with UNDP Sri Lanka, A-PAD SL launched the “Building Disaster Resilience of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Tourism Sector of the Southern Province in Sri Lanka” project. It facilitated engagement with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Ruhunu Tourism Bureau, Galle, Matara and Hambantota District Chambers, and the National Craft Council of the Southern Provincial office. The project aimed to distribute equipment and tools to support local businesses (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, or MSMEs), improve and optimize the tourism value chain by diversifying business models and enhancing production. At the end of the project, A-PAD SL handed over equipment targeting 126 participants representing 100 MSMEs of which 50% of beneficiaries are women.
A-PAD SL also continues to promote regional cooperation by brokering inter-network linkages before, during and after emergencies. Early this year, A-PAD SL and Japan provided support to Tonga after the volcanic eruption. A-PAD SL and Japan collaborated with CBi Member Networks from Fiji and Vanuatu to transport masks, hand sanitizers, water filters and tablets to affected communities, arranging contact-less delivery of relief aid. And amid the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, A-PAD Bangladesh sent medical supplies to A-PAD SL.
Partnering with the private sector works
What moved me this time in Sri Lanka is the extent of private sector engagement and mobilization to help communities affected by the current crisis. Apart from A-PAD SL efforts, the United Nations and humanitarian partners have strongly supported business efforts. OCHA issued a business brief to guide private sector efforts to complement humanitarian response. Just recently, the UNDP office in Sri Lanka initiated a Private Sector Giving Facility, and just launched “Rebuild Sri Lanka”, a crowdfunding platform to gather much needed funds for recovery activities.
These initiatives are inspiring. We always say that CBi’s reason for being is to support local private sector networks such as A-PAD Sri Lanka. I cannot emphasize enough the power of amplifying the voice of the Sri Lanka business community and its partners when it comes to finding local solutions to the multi-dimensional crises that are ahead of us. Raising awareness on the situation and how it has impacted communities and livelihoods, providing platforms for the voices of the most affected to be heard at the national and global levels, and advocating for collective action are the lessons I take with me.