Sri Lanka | Key Insights on the impact of natural hazards on livelihoods and displacement in Karachchi, Kilinochchi

Karachchi in Kilinochchi District faces severe challenges as natural hazards, including floods and human-elephant conflict, increasingly affect agriculture and fishing livelihoods. With a high dependency on these sectors, the region is struggling under the weight of mounting disruptions. 

The March 2024 Livelihood Resilience Assessment, conducted by IMPACT Initiatives via its initiative AGORA, provides deep insights into how these hazards are reshaping local communities. 

Key findings include: 

• Human-elephant conflict is resulting in significant loss of agricultural land. One farming group reported losing up to 10-15 acres in a single night due to elephant activity, a recurring issue that severely disrupts agricultural production. 

• Flooding has led to up to 900 families being displaced annually, forcing many into temporary shelters and severely disrupting community life and economic activities. 

• Social tensions are rising as a result of economic hardships. An increase in illegal activities, such as the production of alcohol, has been noted, exacerbating family conflicts and increasing community-wide stress. 

• The damage to crops and fishing equipment is causing a sharp drop in income. Reports indicate that some communities are unable to recover from these repeated losses, driving them further into poverty cycles and debt traps. 

These findings offer detailed insight into how natural hazards affect local livelihoods and point to areas where risk reduction and resilience-building efforts can be prioritized. 

For the full report, click here.