UN-Habitat Sri Lanka

Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities in and Districts. UN-Habitat Sri Lanka and KOICA Sri Lanka Office / 코이카 스리랑카 사무소 partnership.

KOICA hands over key water supply and sanitation facilities to the City of Nuwara Eliya

Concluding an impactful community resilience project in partnership with UN-Habitat and the Government of Sri Lanka, KOICA handed over three vital water and sanitation facilities to the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council and community members on 12 May 2026.

These facilities were established by UN-Habitat together with the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council as part of the project “Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka”.

Ms. Yunsoo Jeon, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka Office / 코이카 스리랑카 사무소, officially handed over the improved water purification facility in Haddon Hill, water recycling facility at Lake Gregory and the upgraded community sewerage system at the Srinagar settlement.

His Worship the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, Mr. Upali Wanigasekara, Senior Assistant Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Mr. K.P.K.N. Alagalla, Mr. Sunil Galagama, Government Agent, Badulla, Mr. Bandara, Commissioner, Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council and Ms. Harshini Halangode, Country Programme Manager of UN-Habitat Sri Lanka, senior officials from the Nuwara Eliya MC and KOICA Sri Lanka office were present at the events.

Implemented by UN-Habitat Sri Lanka from 2022-2026 in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts, the overall project benefitted 106,000 people through health, agriculture and water and sanitation interventions.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mryxrk28

🌍Climate adaptation starts with reliable water systems, especially in regions facing increasing climate stress.

UN-Habitat Sri Lanka

Strengthening water security and climate resilience in Mullaitivu by improving irrigation infrastructure – Adaptation Fund Farming communities in Mullaitivu District are facing increasing challenges to access water for their agricultural livelihoods due to erratic rainfall, flooding, prolonged dry spells, and saltwater intrusion. The rehabilitation of minor irrigation infrastructure has been identified as vi...

Promoting Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture in Mullaitivu District

With funding from the Adaptation Fund, UN-Habitat Sri Lanka is supporting 250 farming households in Mullaitivu District to better adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods.

A series of training programmes were conducted in April 2026 on climate resilient, sustainable agricultural methods and home gardening practices for farmers in the Welioya, Maritimepattu, and Puthukkudiyiruppu DS Divisions. These trainings were held in close partnership with the Ministry of Environment, District Secretariat, Mullaitivu, Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka and Farmer Organizations.

The trainings helped farmer groups to understand the impacts of climate change on agricultural production and learn simple adaptation measures such as better land use practices, water conservation techniques, and climate-smart farming methods.

Participants were also trained in nature-based soil management techniques such as composting, vermicomposting, and organic pest control.

This initiative, funded by the Build resilience to climate change and climate variability of vulnerable communities in Mullaitivu District of Sri Lanka Project, is expected to enhance household food security, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen long-term climate resilience in farming communities.





Read more: https://tinyurl.com/2dm7hf6e

Supporting families construct homes through the Indian Housing Project.

With support from the Government of India, UN-Habitat Sri Lanka supported the construction of 1,615 resilient homes in Sri Lanka's plantation areas in the Central and Uva provinces. These houses have withstood disasters, including Cyclone Ditwah - proof of India's leadership in resilience building and our shared vision for safer communities.
India in Sri Lanka (High Commission of India, Colombo)

-HABITAT

The 15-minute city is a transformative approach to how we live, work, and thrive in our communities. 🌳🚴🚌

The 15-minute city is a transformative approach to how we live, work, and thrive in our communities:

✅ Proximity-focused design: access to essentials within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or short public transport journey

✅ Equitable resource distribution: guaranteeing all residents have fair access to opportunities and services

✅ Sustainable urban regeneration: aligning with SDG 11 for sustainable cities and communities

✅ People-centered approach: prioritizing human needs over car-centric infrastructure

This concept enables more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban environments where communities can flourish while reducing our environmental footprint.

As urban professionals and city builders, how are you incorporating these principles into planning and development strategies?

--

Join us at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13)- where global leaders, urban planners, and communities converge to co-create inclusive, safe, and resilient cities for everyone.

To register, search "World Urban Forum" or visit www.wuf.unhabitat.org

As part of its mangrove restoration programme, UN-Habitat in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, District Secretariat, Mullaitivu and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) has commenced planting mangrove saplings in Nayaru lagoon in District to address coastal erosion, ecosystem degradation, and increasing climate-related vulnerabilities affecting the area. Over 15,000 mangrove saplings have already been planted through this imitative.

Active community participation, particularly women’s leadership, is a key feature of this programme. Members of the Nayaru Fishermen’s Society and various youth groups are engaged in nurturing seedlings in specialized mangrove nurseries, earning stipends for their work while building technical skills in ecosystem restoration and management. Once the seedlings reach optimal growth, the plants are transported to Nayaru lagoon and planted along the Nayaru–Pulliyamunai rural road by community members under the technical guidance by the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. The aim is to plant 50,000 saplings across the lagoon's vulnerable fringes, over the next 16 months.

By combining scientific restoration techniques with the traditional knowledge of the Mullaitivu community, the programme is on track to transform the Nayaru coastline into a thriving, self-sustaining "green shield" for future generations.

This initiative is part of the project “Build Resilience to Climate Change and Climate Variability of Vulnerable Communities in Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka” funded through a USD 2 million grant from the Adaptation Fund.

Cities thrive with green, inclusive public spaces. Here’s why investing in nature in cities is a game changer 🌿

"What a big, beautiful motorway in the middle of this city" (no one said - ever).

Nor has anyone ever visited a city to marvel at its overflowing cement structures.

Cities thrive with green, inclusive public spaces. Here’s why investing in nature in cities is a game changer 👇

💚 Health & well-being

Access to green spaces reduces stress, improves mental health, and encourages physical activity. Studies show that exposure to urban nature directly supports healthier lifestyles and overall well-being

🌡️ Cooling our cities

Trees, parks, and green corridors help lower urban temperatures - critical as heatwaves intensify. Nature-based solutions act as natural air conditioners in dense urban areas.

🌍 Climate resilience

Green spaces absorb rainwater, reduce flooding risks, and restore ecosystems - key for adapting to climate impacts. Cities worldwide are already scaling these solutions to build resilience

🤝 Stronger communities

Public spaces bring people together, fostering inclusion, social cohesion, and safer neighborhoods. They are essential for equitable urban development.

🚶Liveable, people-centred cities

Well-designed public spaces promote walkability, reduce pollution, and improve quality of life - making cities more attractive and sustainable.

Investing in nature is far from a luxury. We're much better off understanding it as a core urban infrastructure for healthier, more resilient, and more inclusive cities.

--

Join us at the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13)- where global leaders, urban planners, and communities converge to co-create inclusive, safe, and resilient cities for everyone.

To register, search "World Urban Forum" or head to wuf.unhabitat.org

UN-Habitat in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, District Secretariat, Mullaitivu, Department of Agrarian Development and Community-Based Organizations, is improving 16 minor irrigation infrastructure systems through the project “Build resilience to climate change and climate variability of vulnerable communities in Mullaitivu District of Sri Lanka”.

Funded by the Adaptation Fund, these interventions aim to strengthen water security and agricultural productivity of 1,490 farmers, including 224 female farmers.

To officially commence the interventions, work initiation meetings were conducted by UN-Habitat across District, earlier this month. Rehabilitation work was formally initiated, and community monitoring teams were formed for each irrigation system.

The planned work includes the rehabilitation of seven irrigation tanks, four anicuts, three irrigation channels, a downstream development and a saltwater protection bund, all designed to benefit the district’s farming communities.

Rehabilitation of minor irrigation infrastructure has been identified as vital to directly address both water insecurity as well as climate change risks in Mullaitivu district.

Read more about this initiative:
https://tinyurl.com/45xyzkuz