Human Resource and Environmental Protection Organisation (HREPO)

A Sri Lankan organisation with the aim of improving peace and security through environmental sustainability and the fostering of congenial inter-ethnic relationships.

Overview

HREPO aims for the promotion of social harmony and poverty alleviation, since they perceive poverty - which creates competition for resources and basic survival - as a major cause of conflict on a widespread level. Furthermore, they act for environmental protection and, in relation to this and poverty alleviation, conduct research on alternative power sources. Their hope is to find alternative resources and income generation sources. They provide active support and involvement in reducing physical and mental victimisation of people in the community, as well as counselling to the conflicting parties.

In the area of Tissamaharama, both Sinhala and Muslim communities live together, and even small conflicts in the community can be seen as racial discrimination, potentially setting off a chain of violence. HREPO has a widespread network in the community and this informs them of the initiation of such incidents. Consequently, they have been able to solve a number of community level conflicts through talking to both parties before the conflict escalates.

As an organisation, they have learnt that the root of conflict lies in human attitudes towards each other. A situation can escalate to a conflict depending on the perception of the concerned parties. Therefore awareness of human rights and minority rights are crucial in enabling people to form just and fair perceptions of each other. Forming multi-ethnic committees for the community work is important in making everyone feel included. This enables the needs of all ethnicities to be met through that committee and promotes a communal feeling, as opposed to separated groups of different ethnicities.

What Services Are Provided?

Training on conflict transformation and research on alternative energy sources.

Geographical Area of Operation

Tissamaharama Divisional Secretariat, Monaragala and Uva Provinces.

Funding Resources

UNDP, SLCDF, Oxfam, and CHA.

What Further Information Would You Like?

• New techniques of peace building and combining peace building with development;
• information on nature friendly alternative energy production at the community level.

What New Contacts Would You Like To Make?

• Practitioners of successful peace and development initiatives;
• people or organisations interested in testing new methods of conducting community based conflict transformation.

Associated Organisations

Community level organisations in the area, such as farmers' committees and women’s committees.