Sri Lanka lost over 30,000 people in the tsunami that struck 26 December 2004. Caritas responded to this unparalleled disaster by providing temporary shelter, food, medicine, counselling, and later new homes, livelihoods and fresh opportunities for the survivors.

We were looking to save lives, but in the end we improved lives by building back better. As Caritas Sri Lanka marks its 40th anniversary in December, we celebrate the humanity and commitment of its staff in spearheading the global Caritas response to the tsunami in the country.

But the people of Sri Lanka faced a second disaster. A peace between government and rebels broke down following the tsunami, and many of the triumphs over tragedy have been put at risk. Today 160,000 civilians in Sri Lanka have been forced from their homes, the fighting rages, and many have lost their lives.

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These are the stories of a few who bear witness to the ongoing heartbreak.
 
 
 
 

In 2008, Caritas commissioned photojournalist David Snyder to travel to Sri Lanka to meet the people who’d survived the tsunami only to find themselves caught in the conflict.

This is an audio and visual diary of his trip, the people he met, and their stories of hope as they sought to overcome one crisis after another.