Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the Adolescent Kit was first introduced in 2019 into UNICEF-supported child-friendly spaces, children’s clubs and adolescent clubs, especially those in regions affected by seasonal floods, to promote adolescents’ psychosocial wellbeing, advocacy for their rights, and volunteerism within their communities. With its government partners, UNICEF has since adapted the kit for use in the Sri Lankan context, and developed a training module to prepare children’s clubs to use the Kit effectively and safely during disasters to support their peers. The National Department of Probation and Child Care Services supports the training of officials and adolescents in using the Adolescent Kit in disaster response, and has established a stand-by roster of officials ready to support children’s clubs in use of the kit in the event of disasters.

“It was very interactive and motivated us to share our own feelings and problems,” says 13-year-old Nishi, who used the Kit while participating in a children’s club during the inception phase of its introduction in Sri Lanka. “I really enjoyed these activities, and it was very useful to ensure meaningful participation of children like me.” With the Kit, she says, “I strongly feel we can improve our life skills, resilience and preparedness during flooding.”

Learn more about UNICEF’s work in Sri Lanka. This link takes you to an external site.