Photo Credit: Refugees International/Eugene Carlson
01/09/2005

Many displaced persons in southern Sri Lanka sought temporary shelter in Buddhist temples. At Maha Vihara temple, two staff members of Sewa Lanka, a community-based development organization, ask the head monk about the numbers of displaced persons living in his temple and what he needs to assist them. The wisdom of relying on local structures, such as the temples and schools, and organizations like Sewa Lanka, is clear. They can make quick and accurate assessments of need, they have excellent community contacts and they have the trust of the people. They’re also committed to retaining a local presence long after many international relief agencies depart.