In Sri Lanka and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crises – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and be protected from harm. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard.
With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organization – transforming lives and the future we share.
Save the Children has been working in Sri Lanka since 1974, and will mark 50 years in 2024, contributing to both humanitarian and development needs across the country, in the thematic areas of education, child protection, health and nutrition, vocational skills development, and child rights governance.
In the last two years, Sri Lanka faced its worst economic and political crisis since its independence, and the impacts of the crisis affected an estimated 5.7 million people, including 2.5 million children. The multi-dimensional crisis in Sri Lanka has had a wide range of impacts on children and families. The crisis triggered a loss of livelihoods, increased levels of poverty, food insecurity and has had a negative impact on the mental and physical health, nutrition, education, and protection of children.
Children and youth especially have been significantly affected and the country’s food security situation remains dire and has impacted the health, nutrition of children. Loss in livelihoods and shrinking wallets has impacted households unable to afford transport and related expenses for school going children – with unaccounted children out of school reversing years of progress made on childrens education. Inflation and the loss of livelihoods have forced households to resort to negative coping mechanisms, many of which lead to child protection risks.
18, Sinsapa Road,
Colombo 6,
Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 (0)112 555336
