A real-life story shared by a lady who was pregnant at the time of the Kegalle landslide reported by IPPF Global Sprint. “I saw people running around helplessly and it suddenly hit me that I am 4-months pregnant and I just broke down” Jeevani Kumari, who is 25 years old and expecting her second child gave us a glimpse of her life in the temperory shelter set up for the affected communities in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka. Remembering the dreadful night of the landslide she says, “I was cooking for my family and suddenly lots of mud and dirty water came inside. Everything happened in a fraction of a second and I immediately picked up my little daughter and ran.

I didn’t even get time to think about the safety of my husband. I saw people running around helplessly. Suddenly, I became conscious about the baby inside me, wondering whether it is safe or not. Fortunately, I am getting all my medical checks ups in the mobile clinics and the nearby hospital thanks to the FPA Sri Lanka team. The doctors in the camp have even helped me in preparing a birth plan.” Jeevani is one of many women in the camps where IPPF-SPRINT is conducting medical checkups and awareness sessions on Family planning and Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the Kegalle district of Sri Lanka”.

As a mother, I understand that my daughters are all the more vulnerable, especially as here in the shelter, we are staying with many other people including young men.”

Suvarna Padmakumari, has been staying in a temporary shelter for 3 months along with her three daughters, (15, 9 and 3 years old) in the Podape Division of Sri Lanka. Her house was completely damaged during the recent landslide in Berevila Colony and her husband, who was a farmer, lost his day job and has shifted to Colombo to search for better prospects. She is most worried for her daughters, “My daughters are now growing up, and I am extremely worried about their safety especially after I heard about an unfortunate event that happened with a girl in a near by area who is close to my daughter’s age.”

IPPF South Asia Region -SPRINT conducted awareness sessions on sexual and gender based violence for the affected community residing in these temporary shelters in coordination with FPA Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Red Cross and the district secretariat. Explaining the importance of such sessions, Suvarna stressed that the need for explaining issues related to sexual abuse and protection should not only be restricted to women and adolescent girls, but men and boys should also take equal responsibility of understanding these issues. Adding further Suvarna says, “At least now I am aware of the preventive measures and issues related to sexual and gender based violence, I think I can protect my daughters and others like them very well. Now I know, in case such incidents occur, where and whom should I should call and take them to.