Sarvodaya Development Finance (SDF) Covid recovery drive

The Corona Virus has been the cause of unprecedented social and economic disruption in the 21st century. In fact, the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic is predicted to lead to a global recession comparable only to the Great Depression and the World Wars of the 20th century.

In Sri Lanka, small and micro businesses were the most vulnerable to the sudden total loss of markets, and revenues for prolonged periods of time due to Covid containment measures by Sri Lankan Government and Governments of export markets. From rural to urban parts of the country, thousands of small businesses lost their revenues overnight and were left with a frighteningly uncertain future. Meanwhile, the global range of the Corona Virus meant employment losses for thousands of Sri Lankan migrant workers, who were forced to return home. They too, have little or no positive outlook for the future as a second wave of the virus has made a quick return to foreign employment, a tenuous prospect. Dreams of a better life have been shattered and thousands of families have been left destitute and disoriented. The psychological impact of this sudden loss of financial security is as devastating as the virus itself.