Generalized model for implementation of cash for work program during post-war recovery based on the experience gained from emergency northern recovery project

Abstract

Livelihoods of the resettled IDPs were critically poor, immediately after the resettlement process of post war recovery in Sri Lanka. Cash for work (CFW) was implemented by emergency Northern recovery project to facilitate them with mental and financial stability. It facilitates the community for their short term employment; in the mean time it creates a community ownership in the village, by renovating the community assets with the participation of community itself. This facilitated the community strengthening with livelihood development. This was identified as an ideal method for emergency situations such as, post confect, post war, and post disaster. This study area confines in Northern Province. Continuous review was carried out since the begging of the CFW programme up to the final stage of CFW programme. Focus group discussion (FGD) was carried out to find out the strength and weakness of implementation of CFW programme and recommendation for improvements. Impact assessment survey was done to visualize the livelihood development of CFW beneficiaries during and after the CFW programme. Modification in implementation of CFW programme was undertaken throughout regular monitoring and evaluation process. Finally, generalized model for implementation of CFW programme for post emergency situation in Sri Lanka was developed. The common recommendation for CFW were: carrying out baseline data collection, developing overall objective, setting target for CFW programme, determining the wage rate for CFW programme, recruitment and motivation of staff, decide whether to collaborate with local NGOs, select community based existing committee or new CFW committee, strengthening the community groups, baseline profile of beneficiaries, selection of subproject, design and implementation of the selected project, choosing a reliable method for payment, set up monitoring and evaluation system and develop a phasing out strategy to meet the sustainability of the CFW programme. By implementing the proposed structure in the CFW programme will help to uplift the community’s socio economic status with sustainable manner in the future CFW programme.