For approximately 200,000 Sri Lankans made refugees in their own country by the island's ongoing armed conflict, Agility has reached out a helping hand.

As part of its commitment to helping residents of the countries where it does business, Agility launched an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) assistance project in Sri Lanka in April 2009. A team from the Colombo office assessed the situation and found an urgent need for drinking water, food, and sanitation items, especially at the Menik Farm Camp in Settikulam, Vavuniya.

Agility employees worked closely with Hayleys PLC, the leading multinational conglomerate in Sri Lanka, to collect donated toiletries, food, clothing and medical supplies for the 5,000 people living at Menik Farm Camp. The donated items filled three 40-foot containers, which the Agility team delivered and distributed.

Following up on the success of that one-time initiative, Agility Sri Lanka employees then developed a second project with more long-term goals: a home farming project designed to help the residents of the camp become more self-reliant. Agility purchased all the agricultural equipment needed for the project and transported it to the camp, where the IDPs are learning to use it to increase their farming skills so that they can grow their own food and sell the surplus. The goal of the project is to provide 100 families with both nourishment and a sustainable source of income.

Participating in this assistance project is an honor, said Dilani Peiris, Business Development Executive, Agility Sri Lanka: "At a time when our fellow countrymen were in need of the basic necessities, it was with great privilege that we were able to assist them in sustaining their wellbeing and livelihood.”