Sri Lanka’s “Rebuilding” and “Healing” Initiatives Praised at Global Caregiver Forum 2026
Sri Lanka’s post-disaster recovery initiatives, “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” and “Healing Sri Lanka,” were commended by state leaders at the Global Caregiver Forum 2026 held in Madrid, Spain.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, addressing the forum, stated that Sri Lanka is responding to one of the most significant natural disasters in its recent history through a comprehensive approach that focuses not only on physical reconstruction but also on psychosocial recovery. She explained that while “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” aims to restore normalcy for affected families, the parallel “Healing Sri Lanka” initiative focuses on strengthening the psychosocial well-being of families, parents, and caregivers to ensure the protection and nurturing of children.
The two-day forum, which began on January 15 under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Letizia of Spain, was organized in collaboration with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the LEGO Foundation. Minister Paulraj participated as a panelist in the closing plenary session, where she also outlined key national programmes supporting early childhood development, including preschool curriculum reforms, teacher training, and multi-sectoral action plans.
The Government of Sri Lanka’s integrated post-disaster response initiatives were highlighted during the forum and received international recognition for their people-centered approach.
