Refugee Returnees Monitoring 2022 Sri Lanka, 2021 - 2022

Since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka in May 2009, increasing numbers of Sri Lankans have voluntarily repatriated. Responsive to this demand, UNHCR Sri Lanka in cooperation with UNHCR offices in countries of asylum, in particular in Tamil Nadu, India, continues to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees. Protection monitoring data of these returnees was collected to allow UNHCR to intervene as appropriate - and improve the protection environment. This data also assist UNHCR staff in countries of asylum to provide better counsel on the challenges and potential risks linked to voluntary repatriation. The survey covers refugee returnees who returned in 2019 and 2020, and was collected by protection and field teams in Jaffna and Colombo. Fieldwork was undertaken in 2021 and 2022, after the easing of the covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.

The survey was conducted with one focal point from each household and covers:

1. Demographic information and registration (government and civil)
2. Access to reintegration programmes
3. Shelter, housing and land
4. WASH
5. Education
6. Livelihoods and employment
7. Physical Security
8. Community relations and reintegration results
9. Impact of COVID-19