Sri Lankan experiences of post-tsunami small business survival and recovery

Abstract

This paper describes an short investigation of the impact of the tsunami in December 2004 on small family firms producing coir fibre in South East Sri Lanka, and their recovery one year after that catastrophic event. The initial research objective was to focus on the year-long recovery of these small firms, but after fieldwork undertaken over Xmas 2005 uncovered far greater destruction to coir-making facilities, such that personal survival, as much as any business recovery, still pre-occupied these firms' owners and their families, the study was broadened to include the management and distribution of aid to these small firms. Broad conclusions were threefold – firstly, such communities have strong local networks and high levels of social capital which come to the fore in times of crisis; secondly, that business recovery is dependent on infrastructural re-establishment; and thirdly, that the priorities and types of aid vary over time.