Identification of economic vulnerability of tsunami affected fishing community in Sri Lanka for rehabilitation and reconstruction A Case study of tsunami affected fishing community in Kalutara district

Abstract

The Indian Ocean Tsunami that hit the country on 26 December 2004 has had severe impact onFisheries Industry. It affected the Fisheries infrastructures and community in 12 out of 14 coastaldistricts. This study examined the impacts on the vulnerability of fishing community of Kalutaradistrict and the impact of the tsunami reliefand rehabilitation activities on the level of vulnerability ofthis community.

A Survey was conducted at Three Fisheries Inspector (FI) Divisions in Kalutara District and compositevulnerability indices were computed by using Normalization method. The variables of income permonth, expenditure per month, number of dependents, number offishing days per month, Land size,value of productive assets, savings per month, loans taken and age of household head were taken intoaccount for the computation of Composite Vulnerability Index. Results showed that compositevulnerability index is 0.41 and fishing community ofKalutara District is in average level of vulnerability

The short-term rehabilitation and reconstruction strategies and programmes implemented to assisttsunami affected community to rebuilt their livelihood assets, re-establish their fishing activities andstart fish marketing, processing and distribution showed some success in Kalutara District. However,institutional support facilities and services are not fully completed. To smooth implementation, effectivecoordination will be required for channell ing of official and private funds and improved co-ordinationand communication among the various agencies be critical for rehabilitate and reconstruct on fishingcomrn un ity.

This composite vulnerability computation, which can be applied to evaluate effectiveness and successof strategies and programmes, implemented at different time and locations.