This project will provide emergency aid packages to support rural households in Sri Lanka devastated by a months-long economic crisis. As a result of COVID as well as poor economic and agricultural policies, Sri Lanka's currency has all but collapsed, leading to runaway inflation. Trunks & Leaves is a not a humanitarian aid organization, but our staff and partners on the ground can provide each household with a month's supply of basic food, sanitation and dry rations across the country.
Sri Lanka was mainly reliant on agriculture for domestic consumption and foreign exchange, also earned through tourism. The COVID-induced collapse of tourism, coupled with disastrous agricultural policies depleted both food production and foreign exchange, causing massive inflation and fuel shortages. Country-wide power cuts now range from 3-16 hours. Farmers cannot grow crops nor transport their harvest. Lack of power has also resulted in water scarcity. People cannot afford basic goods.
Together with partners on the ground, we will distribute boxes of dry rations to struggling families. Each box will contain rice, canned food, pulses such as lentils and chickpeas, spices, soap, and other essentials sufficient for a household of 4-8 people. A $30 pack of supplies will allow a household to subsist for at least one month, until Sri Lanka is able to secure international economic aid. The more funds we can raise, the more households we can reach and help.
Trunks & Leaves is a wildlife conservation organization. We work directly with the heavily impacted agricultural communities. This project is an emergency initiative in recognition of the relative lack of visibility for the crisis in Sri Lanka. It is intended to be a temporary measure until the government is able to put into place longer-term economic reforms together with international assistance. We recognize that conservation goes hand-in-hand with meeting the needs of vulnerable people.
