Growing back better: Rehabilitation of tsunami affected cinnamon industry in Southern Sri Lanka

This case study looks at the Spanish Red Cross’ intervention in post-tsunami Sri Lanka which aimed at supporting smallholder cinnamon growers, whose fields had been destroyed by the tsunami, to recover and improve their cinnamon production as a way to restore their means of living. Cash grants were provided to cover the labour expenses towards rehabilitation and/or replanting costs, throughout the three years needed until the first crop. The cash grants were complemented with in-kind distribution of fertilisers, seedlings and tools. The paper goes through the context, impact of the Tsunami, the project implementation details (including assessments and targeting, mobilisation, cash delivery mechanism, marketing, etc) and achievements and impact of the project. Finally, it provides some key learning points for future programming.