Arundhavamalar’s Journey from Displacement to Hope

For decades, Arundhavamalar’s life was defined by displacement. Born in 1980 in a small village in Palaly, she grew up in a close-knit community of around 30 families. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother a homemaker. Life was simple but full of joy, surrounded by her eight siblings and friends from school. 

However, the civil war disrupted that peaceful life, forcing her family to leave everything behind. On August 13, 1990, as violence escalated, her family—like so many others—was forced to flee their home, seeking refuge at the Palavy welfare center in Point Pedro. This was only the beginning of years of uncertainty and hardship. 

“We tried to return home after the 2004 tsunami, hoping to rebuild,” she recalls. “But the conflict resumed, and we were displaced again in 2005.” 

From there, she and her family moved from one temporary refuge to another—Vanni, Valajarmadam, Mathalan—before finally reaching Jaffna in 2009 by boat. There, they lived in the Allarai Internally Displaced Persons site in Chavachcheri. Eventually, their journey took them back to Polikandy, where they struggled to rebuild a life from scratch. 

A New Beginning 

Throughout these years of displacement, Arundhavamalar’s survival depended on the kindness of relatives and the few opportunities available. Her elder brother’s business provided some stability, but Arundhavamalar’s biggest concern remained her children’s education and well-being. 

Through the Expanded Support for Durable Resettlement and Reintegration (EDRR) project, she received assistance in rebuilding her life. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, the initiative helps resettled communities build sustainable livelihoods and reintegrate into society.

Funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund—with contributions from Australia, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Joint SDG Fund and the UN Peacebuilding Fund—the project builds on the personal investments of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees to support their resettlement. 

“Having a house of my own brings immense happiness,” Arundhavamalar says. “While we were displaced, if the owner of a house we were staying in asked us to leave, we had no choice but to move. Today, no one can ask us to leave. My family and I feel content and safe now.” 

Rebuilding Livelihoods, Restoring Dignity 

Beyond providing shelter, the UN-supported project also aids in restoring livelihoods. Through a civil society organization supported by the UN, Arundhavamalar received fishing nets, enabling her to start a dried fish business. The income she earns helps her care for her mother and support her son. She has also shared some of the fishing nets with her younger brother, ensuring that he too can earn a living. 

“Today, I can support my children and take care of my mother in peace in our own home,” she says with pride. “This is something I never imagined during the years we spent moving from place to place.” 

Hope for the Future 

Arundhavamalar’s story is one of resilience, strength, and the power of community support. While she has found stability, she knows that many others like her are still struggling to return home and rebuild their lives. 

“I sincerely hope that other people like me, who were displaced and affected by the war, will also be able to receive land and support to rebuild their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives.” 

Her journey, from displacement to homecoming, is a testament to the impact of collective efforts to support durable resettlement and reintegration, and to build a future where no one is left behind.