"Within the first five years following a war, the risk that the country will return to open conflict is significantly higher than usual. Reconstruction can only be sustainable if it prevents any new conflict emerging" (World Bank)

Since the end of the cold war, the focus of development cooperation has been turning increasingly to inner-state conflicts. Violent conflicts deprive people of the chance to earn a living, destroy the physical, political and economic infrastructure of a country and create or worsen social tensions within society.
To prevent violence flaring up again, rehabilitation and crisis prevention measures combine physical reconstruction with elements of violence- and conflict prevention. This approach which integrates various war-stricken groups tries to break the vicious circle of violence and counter-violence to help a society to live in peace once again.

GTZ has implemented this holistic strategy at the Integrated Food Security Programme Trincomalee (IFSP) in northeast Sri Lanka. The IESP demonstrates that development is possible under conflict conditions. The programme has not only contributed to a reduction of food insecurity but has also built up capacities for sustainable development.
All in all 60 percent of the district’s population have been directly supported through project  measures such as rehabilitation of small irrigation systems, reconstruction of the rural health system and resettlement of refugees.
After finalising the programme effectively, it will be continued through local staff as a teaching institution. This will contribute to further peacekeeping processes in northeast of Sri Lanka.