As part of ongoing humanitarian assistance to communities affected by Cyclone Dethwa, the Agam Humanitarian Resource Centre (AHRC), in collaboration with UNOPS and the Vriddhi Network, continued its emergency relief response in the Trincomalee District by providing essential hygiene items to disaster-affected families in the Kuchchaveli and Verugal Divisional Secretariat areas.

The humanitarian intervention was made possible with the financial support of UK Aid and Australian Aid, and was implemented in coordination with the respective Divisional Secretariats. The assistance focused on meeting the immediate hygiene and sanitation needs of families whose lives and livelihoods were affected by the cyclone and related disasters.

Hygiene Assistance in Kuchchaveli – 18 March 2026

On 18 March 2026, AHRC distributed hygiene assistance to 150 families affected by Cyclone Dethwa in the Kuchchaveli area. Each beneficiary family received a package containing 16 different types of hygiene items, intended to support essential household hygiene and sanitation needs following the disaster.

The distribution was carried out with the approval, guidance and coordination of the Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat. The programme was conducted under the leadership of the Assistant Divisional Secretary and Deputy Planning Directors, ensuring coordination with the relevant government authorities and facilitating the effective delivery of assistance to affected families.

The event was attended by representatives of AHRC, including Director Mr. K. Lavakusarasa, Deputy Director Mr. A. Mathan, Accountant Ms. K. Sanchalitha and other staff members. A representative from UNOPS, Ms. Niroshima, also participated in the event.

The assistance provided an important form of immediate humanitarian support to families recovering from the impacts of Cyclone Dethwa. By focusing specifically on hygiene needs, the intervention sought to help affected households maintain basic sanitary conditions during the recovery period.

Hygiene Assistance in Verugal – 21 March 2026

Following the Kuchchaveli distribution, the humanitarian response continued in the Verugal Divisional Secretariat area. On 20 March 2026, as reported in the AHRC post dated 21 March 2026, hygiene items were distributed to a further 150 families affected by Cyclone Dethwa.

Similar to the Kuchchaveli intervention, each family received 16 types of hygiene items. The distribution was implemented by AHRC with the collaboration of UNOPS and the Vriddhi Network, with financial support from UK Aid and Australian Aid.

The programme was carried out under the approval and guidance of the Verugal Divisional Secretariat. The effective coordination of the relief distribution was supported by the Verugal Divisional Secretary and the Secretariat officials, who assisted with the necessary arrangements to ensure that the humanitarian items were distributed appropriately among affected families.

AHRC expressed its appreciation to the Verugal Divisional Secretary and all officials who contributed to the organisation and facilitation of the programme.

Continued Humanitarian Response

The two interventions demonstrate AHRC's continued commitment to supporting communities affected by natural disasters and strengthening humanitarian assistance at the local level. Through collaboration with government authorities, UNOPS, the Vriddhi Network and international development partners, the organisation has been able to provide targeted assistance to families facing immediate challenges following Cyclone Dethwa.

The two distributions in Kuchchaveli and Verugal reached a combined total of 300 affected families, providing each household with 16 types of essential hygiene items. These interventions were designed to address immediate household needs and support affected communities during the post-disaster recovery process.

The broader programme also envisaged extending similar hygiene assistance to affected families in Muttur, with the overall intervention planned to reach 400 families across three Divisional Secretariat areas—Kuchchaveli, Muttur and Verugal.

AHRC acknowledges the valuable financial support provided by UK Aid and Australian Aid, as well as the collaboration of UNOPS and the Vriddhi Network. The organisation also extends its sincere appreciation to the officials of the Kuchchaveli and Verugal Divisional Secretariats for their guidance, coordination and practical support in ensuring the successful implementation of the humanitarian assistance.

Through such coordinated efforts, AHRC continues to contribute to community-level disaster response and recovery, particularly by addressing the immediate needs of families affected by severe weather events and other disasters in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka.

#AHRC #UNOPS #UKAid #AustralianAid #HumanitarianResponse #HygieneSupport #DisasterRelief #CommunitySupport #Verugal #Kuchchaveli #Trincomalee #SriLanka

In response to the devastating impacts of Cyclone Ditwah and subsequent flooding, the Aham Humanitarian Resource Centre (AHRC) continued its humanitarian assistance programmes across the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, focusing particularly on conflict-affected and economically vulnerable communities.

As part of these ongoing relief efforts, dry ration and nutritional support were provided to affected families and vulnerable groups in Trincomalee, Ampara, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts. These interventions were designed to address the immediate food and nutritional needs of communities whose livelihoods and household resources had been severely affected by the disaster.

Dry Ration Assistance to 170 Families in the Eastern Province

On 13 February 2026, AHRC facilitated the distribution of essential dry ration items to 170 beneficiaries from conflict-affected communities in Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa districts. These communities had experienced significant livelihood losses as a result of Cyclone Ditwah and the subsequent floods.

The assistance was provided with the objective of helping affected families meet their immediate food and household needs during the recovery period. The distribution formed part of AHRC's broader humanitarian response to communities facing heightened vulnerability following the disaster.

AHRC expressed its appreciation to its partner organizations, including the Batticaloa District Aruvi Women’s Network (BDAWN) and the People’s Collective for Climate Justice (PCCJ), whose support contributed to the implementation of the humanitarian response. Appreciation was also extended to the government officials who assisted in facilitating the distribution and ensuring that assistance reached affected communities.

Nutritional Support for 90 Pregnant Women in Batticaloa

On 19 February 2026, AHRC, together with the Batticaloa District Aruvi Women’s Network (BDAWN), implemented a targeted nutritional assistance programme for pregnant women from families affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Batticaloa District.

Under this programme, 90 pregnant women from Vakarai, Chenkalady and Vellavely areas received nutritional support packages. The intervention specifically focused on the nutritional needs of pregnant women living in families affected by the disaster, recognizing the importance of supporting vulnerable groups during periods of humanitarian crisis.

The programme aimed to contribute to addressing the health and nutritional needs of affected families while providing targeted assistance to pregnant women who faced additional vulnerabilities following the cyclone and flooding.

AHRC and BDAWN expressed their sincere appreciation to the Regional Medical Officers of Health and relevant health authorities who supported the implementation of this humanitarian initiative.

Humanitarian Assistance to 90 Vulnerable Families in the Northern Province

On 20 February 2026, AHRC extended its humanitarian response to the Northern Province, providing dry ration assistance to 90 low-income families from conflict-affected communities in Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts.

The beneficiaries were families living below the poverty line and experiencing heightened economic vulnerability following the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah and other disasters. The provision of essential food items was intended to help these households meet their immediate needs and reduce the additional burden created by the loss of livelihoods and household resources.

AHRC has continued providing dry ration and nutritional assistance to disaster-affected communities across the Northern and Eastern Provinces, reflecting its commitment to supporting communities that remain particularly vulnerable due to the combined effects of conflict, poverty, livelihood insecurity and natural disasters.

The Northern Province intervention was implemented with the cooperation of war-affected community-based organizations, civil society representatives, friends and community partners. AHRC expressed its appreciation to all those who contributed to facilitating the humanitarian assistance and reaching vulnerable families.

Strengthening Community-Based Humanitarian Response

These interventions demonstrate AHRC's continued commitment to providing community-focused humanitarian assistance during periods of disaster and crisis. Rather than limiting support to general relief distribution, the interventions also sought to respond to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, low-income families and conflict-affected communities.

Across the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the assistance reached communities facing multiple and overlapping vulnerabilities. The collaboration with local partner organizations, health authorities, government officials, civil society actors and community representatives also strengthened the ability to identify affected populations and deliver assistance according to their immediate needs.

Through these combined efforts, AHRC continued to stand alongside communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and flooding, supporting their immediate food and nutritional needs while contributing to their ongoing recovery and resilience.

#AHRC #HumanitarianAssistance #CycloneDitwah #FloodResponse #DryRations #NutritionSupport #Trincomalee #Ampara #Batticaloa #Vavuniya #Kilinochchi #Mannar #BDAWN #PCCJ #CommunityResilience #Solidarity

On 15 February 2026, the Aham Humanitarian Resource Centre (AHRC) organized an awareness and dialogue session in Trincomalee on the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), a new counter-terrorism legislation proposed by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The programme was organized to create greater awareness among civil society and other key stakeholders about the proposed legislation and to provide a space for participants to discuss its positive and negative aspects, particularly from a human rights and civic participation perspective.

The discussion brought together a diverse group of participants from Trincomalee District, including representatives of civil society organizations, human rights activists, families of the forcibly disappeared, and journalists. The participation of individuals from different sectors provided an opportunity to exchange views and experiences concerning the potential implications of the proposed legislation.

During the session, participants were provided with information about the proposed PSTA and engaged in discussion on concerns arising from the legislation. The dialogue provided an important platform for civil society representatives and other stakeholders to collectively examine the proposed legal framework and express their views.

Particular attention was given to the participants' concerns regarding the continued existence of counter-terrorism legislation and the potential implications of the proposed PSTA. The discussion also highlighted the importance of protecting fundamental rights and ensuring that legislation introduced to address security concerns does not adversely affect democratic participation, civic freedoms and human rights.

Collective Call for Withdrawal of the Proposed PSTA

Following the awareness session and dialogue, participants took a collective step to express their opposition to the proposed legislation. They signed a petition calling for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and demanding that the Government withdraw the proposed PSTA Bill.

The signed petition was subsequently prepared for submission to the Minister of Justice, conveying the concerns and demands raised by the participants during the dialogue.

The initiative demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where affected communities, civil society actors, human rights defenders and journalists can come together to discuss proposed legislation and collectively communicate their concerns to policymakers.

Through this programme, AHRC contributed to strengthening public awareness and civic engagement around an important legislative development. The participation of families of the forcibly disappeared, human rights activists, civil society representatives and journalists also emphasized the need for broad-based consultation when introducing legislation that may have significant implications for fundamental rights and freedoms.

The programme concluded with a shared call for the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the withdrawal of the proposed PSTA Bill, reflecting the concerns expressed collectively by the participating stakeholders.

#AHRC #PSTA #RepealPTA #HumanRights #CivilSociety #Trincomalee #HumanRightsDefenders #CivicSpace #Freedom #SriLanka

As part of the Solidarity for Land initiative, AHAM Humanitarian Resource Center (AHRC) and the People’s Collective for Climate Justice (PCCJ) continued their efforts to strengthen land governance, promote awareness of land rights, and improve public service delivery through capacity-building programmes for government officials in the Eastern Province.

Training for Government Officials in Trincomalee District – 10 January 2026

A training workshop on Land Rights Laws, Good Governance, and Public Service Delivery was successfully conducted in Trincomalee District on 10 January 2026, bringing together government officials responsible for land administration and public services.

The programme was attended by Land Division officers from the Divisional Secretariats and Local Authorities representing the Mutur, Verugal, and Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat divisions. The participation of officials directly involved in land-related administration provided an important opportunity to strengthen their understanding of land rights and improve the delivery of services to communities affected by land-related issues.

The training was jointly organized by AHRC and PCCJ, in collaboration with the Trincomalee Regional Office of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission. The programme focused on strengthening the capacity of government service providers to understand and apply land rights laws, promote good governance, and ensure more effective and responsive public service delivery.

The session was facilitated by Mr. Isadeen, Regional Coordinator of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, whose contribution helped provide participants with practical guidance and insights relevant to their responsibilities. The Divisional Secretary of Mutur also participated in the programme and shared valuable guidance and perspectives.

The active participation of government officials highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional understanding of land rights and ensuring that communities can access government services in a fair, transparent, and effective manner.

Training for Government Officials in Batticaloa District – 14 January 2026

Following the Trincomalee programme, a similar capacity-building workshop was conducted in Batticaloa District on 14 January 2026, further expanding the initiative's engagement with government officials working in areas affected by land disputes.

The training focused on Land Rights Laws, Good Governance, and Public Service Delivery, with participation from Land Division officers of Divisional Secretariats in several areas of Batticaloa District, including Koralai Pattu North (Vakarai), Eravur Pattu (Chenkalady), Koralai Pattu South, and Koralai Pattu (Valachchenai).

In addition to Land Division officers, Grama Niladharis serving in villages where land disputes exist also participated in the training. Their involvement was particularly significant, given their close engagement with communities and their role in providing essential government services at the local level.

The workshop was jointly organized by PCCJ and AHRC under the broader Solidarity for Land initiative. The programme provided an opportunity for government officials to strengthen their knowledge of land rights, good governance principles, and effective public service delivery, while also increasing awareness of the challenges faced by communities experiencing land-related disputes.

The participation of officials from several Divisional Secretariat areas demonstrated the importance of building a common understanding among public service providers across the district. Strengthening the capacity of officials at both divisional and community levels can contribute to more effective responses to land-related concerns and improved access to public services for affected communities.

AHRC and PCCJ expressed their sincere appreciation to all government officials who participated in the Batticaloa training and contributed to the programme.

Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Land Rights

The two training programmes conducted in Trincomalee and Batticaloa represent an important component of the Solidarity for Land initiative's broader efforts to promote land rights and strengthen community and institutional capacity in the Eastern Province.

By engaging directly with government officials responsible for land administration and community-level public services, the initiative seeks to encourage greater awareness of land rights, good governance, accountability, and people-centred service delivery. The participation of Land Division officers, Local Authority officials, and Grama Niladharis also creates opportunities to strengthen communication between government institutions and communities affected by land disputes.

These programmes recognize that addressing land-related challenges requires not only empowering affected communities with knowledge of their rights, but also strengthening the capacity of public institutions and officials responsible for administering land and delivering services.

Through continued collaboration among AHRC, PCCJ, the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, government institutions, and affected communities, such capacity-building initiatives can contribute to more transparent, responsive, and rights-based approaches to land governance in the Eastern Province.

#SolidarityForLand #AHRC #PCCJ #LandRights #GoodGovernance #PublicServiceDelivery #Trincomalee #Batticaloa #SriLanka