The Gojo Foundation (Representative Trustee: Taejun Shin) implemented an emergency humanitarian aid project in Sri Lanka. With the support of many people, we were able to receive donations totaling up to 15 million Japanese yen and provide 7,500 pregnant women with vouchers redeemable for food worth 5,000 Sri Lankan rupees (approximately 1,800 Japanese yen) per person. Please access the full report and webinar recording for more details.

Why did we start this project?

Sri Lanka is facing the biggest crisis since its foundation, being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, and global inflation. In response to the slow progress made by the government and international NGOs, in June 2022, the Gojo Foundation decided to launch an emergency humanitarian aid project to deliver food to pregnant women in the country, who are especially at risk of malnutrition. For more information, please click here.

Project overview and results

Donations were collected by the Gojo Foundation and field support was provided through Sejaya Micro Credit Ltd. (“Sejaya”), a local group company of Gojo & Company, Inc. In collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health, Sejaya provided pregnant women with vouchers that could be exchanged for food at Cargills, a major local supermarket. By September 2022, we had raised approximately 15 million Japanese yen and provided vouchers to 7,500 pregnant women in October and November.

Impact on beneficiaries

Surveys were conducted with 105 of the women who received vouchers. Although we did not set an income limit for this assistance, we found that many of the beneficiaries were in the low-income bracket, with an average monthly household income of 20,000 to 30,000 rupees (approximately 7,500 to 11,000 US dollars). A few women (12%) reported having health concerns, while 86% reported having inadequate food supply, indicating that many have difficulties in procuring food.

In most cases, vouchers were used to purchase essentials such as rice, dhal (beans), cereal, and sugar, as well as nutritious meat, fish, and fruit on the same day or the day after they were distributed. 95% of the respondents indicated that the impact of the vouchers on their household budgets was significant. Because the employees of the local subsidiary are well-versed in the local situation, they were able to deliver effective assistance quickly.

Voices of beneficiaries

Lasanthika Lakmali, a beneficiary of the project, commented, “I am grateful that the Gojo Foundation was able to deliver assistance in such a difficult situation.

Request for continued donations

Although this project was able to deliver rapid and impactful assistance to many people, Sri Lanka continues to be in a serious situation. The speed of inflation has slowed, but the rate remains high at about three times the normal rate. The people of Sri Lanka are still living in uncertainty and hardship. We ask that you consider making a donation to help us continue to provide support.

Donations can be made here.