Livelihood vulnerability of drought-affected agro-migrants in dry zone of Sri Lanka

Climate change-driven disasters escalate vulnerabilities of rural livelihoods especially who are depending on nature. Climate induced migration is a coping strategy, seeking alternative or secondary livelihood opportunities. Despite national and international institutions having introduced alternative and secondary livelihoods for climate victims, the limitations and challenges of these programmes have not been assessed. The paper aims to address this lacuna and the importance of supportive services to strengthen secondary and/or alternative livelihoods in drought affected regions. Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts were chosen where the drought has become the threatening climatic factor. A mixed-method approach was adopted employing a questionnaire survey with 60 paddy farmers and 15 key informant interviews including leaders in the farmer organizations (n=10) and government officers (n=5). Simple random sampling technique was adopted to draw the survey sample. Alternative livelihood vulnerability index (ALVI) was calculated over availability, accessibility, and degree of satisfaction with the supportive services. Secondary livelihoods- trading, inland fishing, daily wage labor, and self-employment are commonly adopted than a complete transformation. These options are not sustainable due to negative sentiments, resistance to change, limited support from external entities (0.3–0.5 ALVI), poor access to capacity building (0.2–0.4 ALVI), and less satisfaction with available supportive facilities (0.37 ALVI). Capacity building, skill development, and motivational sessions over alternative/secondary livelihoods are recommended with adequate supportive services for a smooth transition.