Action by Churches Together (ACT) Appeal Sri Lanka - Assistance to Displaced: ASSL-01 Appeal Target: US$ 47,395 Geneva, 5 January 2000
Fresh outbreak of fighting has resulted in renewed terror, death and destruction for people in the north of Sri Lanka. Several thousands have been displaced in the districts of Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu, and are in dire need of basic food rations, clothing and shelter. Following the latest round of violence since September 99, ACT member, Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI) has been rendering assistance to the most needy out of their own reserves. On 29 November 1999, US$ 4,170 was transferred from the ACT Rapid Response Fund to JDCSI to help them with their work. The present situation in the country demands continued assistance and JDCSI proposes the following project to assist 3,500 of the most vulnerable, displaced families, victims of the latest upsurge of fighting in the Vavuniya, and Mannar districts during the last few weeks. Please kindly send your contributions to the ACT bank account. For further information, please contact: ACT Co-ordinator, Miriam Lutz (phone 41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone ++ 41 79 203 6055) or ACT Appeals Officer, Neville Pradhan (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone ++41 79 285 2916) Ms. Genevieve Jacques Miriam Lutz Rev. Rudolf Hinz Director ACT Coordinator Director WCC/Cluster on Relations LWF/World Service REQUESTING ACT MEMBER Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI) IMPLEMENTING AGENCY The Diocese of Jaffna is one of the 21 Dioceses of the Church of South India (CSI) and is the only diocese located outside India. The diocese was formerly known as the American Ceylon Mission (ACM), as it was founded by the American Congregational Missionaries in 1816. The Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI) is involved in Social Development Programmes, Child Care Programmes, Community Development Programmes and Farm Development Programmes for the last two decades. The medical and educational services commenced as early as 1818 by the American Missionaries and even today a Missionary of the United Church Board for World Ministries (UCBWM) is serving in the Diocese. Due to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, people are being continually displaced and are forced to live as refugees in the North and Eastern provinces. The Diocese started a special ministry to care for the displaced and homeless, called Development Ministry, which is active in Kilinochchi, Mankulam, Cheddikulam, Vavuniya and Wanni. Some of these areas are under Government control while some are under rebel control. The Social Action Development Board of the JDCSI monitors the development programmes of the Diocese. These programmes work towards the upliftment of all citizens of Sri Lanka regardless of caste, creed or nationality. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMERGENCY SITUATION Background The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka has killed 60,000 and displaced 100,000 people, caused destruction of buildings and property, rendered many homeless and left many as destitutes, widows and orphans. The conflict is between the Sri Lankan government and militants from the Tamil Community who are fighting for the rights and privileges of the Tamils for the last two decades Current situation The situation is particularly critical in the north and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and the current problem is in the Vavuniya and Mannar Districts which are in the north of Sri Lanka. The current crisis peaked around mid November 1999 when people in the Vavuniya & neighbouring areas were asked to vacate their homes and leave for the safer regions of Rajendrakulam, Cheddikulam and Pavasankulam. At the same time in the Mannar District there was a fresh outbreak of violence, which resulted in several deaths. Impact on human lives During the current crisis, the attack on the Catholic church in Madhu, resulted in the deaths of 42 civilians (including several children) while 61 others were wounded. Sadly, the victims had taken refuge in the church compound. The total number of families displaced from the Vavuniya and Mannar Districts is about 12,000. There is scarcity of basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. The hygienic conditions are also poor because of the mass exodus into small areas and the hospitals are inadequate to accommodate the large numbers of those wounded. Some of the displaced persons are staying in schools and churches. Due to the conflict there is no electricity in Madhu and in the Tamil rebel controlled areas. The monsoons are further compounding the problems of the IDPs living in small makeshift huts. A large number of families are also displaced from Vavuniya Town, as the Tamil rebels asked them to leave on 15 November. Location of proposed Response The location of the proposed project is in the North of Sri Lanka, the main areas being Vavuniya, Cheddikulam, Mannar and Wanni. The Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India has it's own church workers in the above mentioned places to implement the programme. Current Security Situation Currently fighting is going on in the areas of Vavuniya and Mannar and the present security situation in Vavuniya is quite uncertain as Vavuniya Town may come under rebel attack at any time. After the outbreak of war at Vavuniya and Mannar, the main roads (Kandy * Jaffna road A9 and Vavuniya * Mannar Road) are blocked and both sides are trying to negotiate for a route to be opened. GOAL & OBJECTIVES The aim is to provide life preserving assistance to 3500 families from among the most vulnerable victims of the fresh upsurge of fighting in the Vavuniya and Mannar Districts. JDCSI plans to provide basic dry rations, clothing, mats, hurricane lamps and medicines to the families of those injured in Madhu Church incident and those displaced from the Vavuniya, Madhu, Mannar & Vanni areas. BENEFICIARY INFORMATION AND TARGETED AREAS The total number of beneficiaries targetted by the project is 3,500 families, most of whom are daily wage earners and have no way to sustain themselves. The entire group of beneficiaries selected for this project is based on vulnerability and needs of the victims. Number of Targeted Beneficiaries According To Proposed Assistance Dry Ration, mats and hurricane lamps - 2,700 families for those displaced Relief parcels for injured people - 250 families Financial Assistance 1 There was a need for immediate financial assistance to the displaced families as they had left their homes without warning, banks were not functioning and so they did not have liquid cash to purchase their basic necessities. 1 - 550 families TOTAL - 3500 families Statistical reports of displaced persons will also be obtained and the churches in the war torn areas will serve as instruments at the grass root level in identifying the families in need of relief. The relief to those wounded will mainly be through hospital visits & statistics obtained from the hospital records. DESCRIPTION OF TARGETED ASSISTANCE Description of Assistance The assistance will be need based identifying the most vulnerable victims of disaster. The assistance will be mainly to provide the basic necessities of food, clothing, financial help and also improving the basic health and hygiene needs. Implementation Description Per Activity The Project will be implemented in 3 Stages. STAGE 1: The Coordinating agency, the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India will work through its churches in the North of Sri Lanka in identifying the most vulnerable victims of disaster. It will help them sustain life and reduce suffering by providing the basic necessities of food and clothing. The targeted relief will be attained based on the statistical report of displaced/internal refugees in the Northern conflict and the needs of people caught in areas of conflict. The statistical data will be obtained by church volunteers. STAGE 2: Purchasing the necessary items locally at reasonable costs and ensuring the quality standards of the product enumerated below. The purchasing will be done with the approval of the Project Co-ordinator and it will be supervised by the Programme Secretary. Basic food items: milk powder, sugar, tea leaves, rice, pulses, flour, tin fish and green gram. Basic Clothing: bed sheet, towel, sarong, saree Basic toiletry & accessories: washing /bath soap, mug, cup, spoon, tea strainer & flask Medical aid: Vitamin & Iron tablets The purchasing, sorting & packing of the above items will be done by a team of workers, based on the need and number of beneficiaries as per list identified in Stage 1. STAGE 3: Distribution of the relief packets to the most vulnerable victims of this disaster, based on the list identified in stage 1. The distribution will be carried out by a team of church workers and volunteers of the JDCSI headed by the General Secretary. ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING Administration Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India has appointed a Committee which is headed by the Bishop to coordinate this particular project. The Bishop will be assisted by the Co-ordinator who is also based in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The rest of the Committee consists of priests and church volunteers who are administering this programme. Specific responsibilities are as follows: Bishop & Project Coordinator - for coordinating, reporting & accounting Data Collection - Area Priests and Church Volunteers Organising - Committee Members Financial Management - Treasurer, JDCSI & Project Coordinator Office Administration - Programme Secretary & Programme Clerk/Typist Financial Management Control Funds received from ACT will be deposited to the JDCSI Bank Account and the money will be sanctioned by the Standing Committee of this programme. The disbursement and utilization of funds will be carried out by the Treasurer and Project coordinator based on the needs. Books of accounts will be written by a qualified Accountant, bills and other documents will be filed and maintained and statements will be extracted on completion of project. All the books of accounts, supporting vouchers, documents and statements will be submitted to the Auditor for final preparation of accounts. The audited statement from the qualified Chartered Accountant will be sent to the ACT Co-ordinating Office on completion of project. Monitoring The relief programme is monitored by the Committee headed by the Bishop of the Diocese or in his absence the Project Coordinator. All the visits to the location and distribution of materials and funds will be monitored and supervised either by Bishop and/or Project Coordinator or by the Treasurer. Reporting The progress of the relief work will be reported to the ACT Co ordinating Office after every visit by the Project Co-ordinator or the Programme Secretary. The report will also include the statistical data of the number of families covered under each relief visit and a brief description of the situation faced by the people in that area. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE This being an emergency relief project covering the areas of disaster due to war, the estimated project timeline will be not more than three months. The project assessment and start up will have to work hand in hand and implementation may have to be done simultaneously in various areas of disaster. Based on initial assessments, JDCSI has, from its own resources, already provided assistance to some of those most in need. Further and continuing assessments will be carried out based on the problems faced by the newly targeted areas of conflict in the war and the need of the hour. COORDINATION The JDCSI will work with the local churches in the affected areas with regard to data collection and selection of the most vulnerable victims of disaster. The Governments help will also be secured in accessing the uncleared areas of the war zone. There will be an over all coverage of the areas in the North, covering Vavuniya, Cheddikulam, Mannar, Madhu and Wanni. The JDCSI has also informed the NCCSL of its programme in the affected areas. BUDGET ACT-JDCSI ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE Description Type of Number Cost/Unit Budget Budget Unit of Units SLR SLR US$ DIRECT ASSISTANCE Food & Non Food Relief for 2,700 families Rice ( 2kg per family) kg 5,400 30 162,000 2,250 Flour ( 2kg per family) kg 5,400 20 108,000 1,500 Dhal ( kg family) kg 2,700 80 216,000 3,000 Sugar ( kg per family) kg 2,700 25 67,500 938 Tea ( 500gms per family) 500gms 2,700 75 202,500 2,812 Milk powder ( packet per family) pkts 2,700 85 229,500 3,188 Tin fish ( 2 per family) tins 5,400 55 297,000 4,125 Green gram ( kg per family) kg 2,700 50 135,000 1,875 Bath/Washing soap ( 2 per family) pcs 5,400 13 67,500 938 Mats pcs 2,700 150 405,000 5,625 Hurricane lamps pcs 2,700 200 540,000 7,500 Sub total 2,430,000 33,750 Relief parcels for 250 injured Milk Powder pkts 250 85 21,250 295 Sugar kg 250 25 6,250 87 Tea (500gm per person) 500gms 250 75 18,750 260 Bath/Washing soap pcs 500 13 6,250 87 Bed Sheets pcs 250 150 37,500 521 Towels pcs 250 75 18,750 260 Sarong pcs 250 200 50,000 695 Saree pcs 250 400 100,000 1,389 Mugs pcs 250 75 18,750 260 Cups pcs 250 50 12,500 174 Spoons pcs 250 25 6,250 87 Tea strainers pcs 250 40 10,000 139 Flasks pcs 250 250 62,500 868 Vitamin Tablets bottles 250 100 25,000 347 Iron Tablets bottles 250 100 25,000 347 Sub total 418,750 5,816 Financial Assistance for 550 families 288,000 4,000 Description Type of Number Cost/Unit Budget Budget Unit of Units SLR SLR US$ MATERIAL TRANSPORT, STORAGE, WAREHOUSING, HANDLING Material Transport - Truck rental lump sum 86,400 1,200 - Internal transport lump sum 28,800 400 Sub total 115,200 1,600 PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS & SUPPORT Staff Salaries & Support - Project Staff benefits 25,200 350 - Volunteer stipends 14,400 200 Staff Travel - Local & Regional travel 10,800 150 - Per diems ( food/lodging) 5,040 70 Office Operations - Office Utilities 3,600 50 - Office Stationery & Supplies 6,480 90 Communications - Telephone & Fax 5,040 70 - Electronic mail 5,040 70 Vehicle Operations - Fuel (Diesel, Gasoline) 14,400 200 - Maintenance (parts/labour) 20,160 280 - Vehicle rental 14,400 200 Audit Evaluation - Audit of ACT Funds 36,000 500 Sub total 160,560 2,230 TOTAL EXPENDITURE & APPEAL TARGET 3,412,510 47,395 SLR US$ Appeal Target 3,412,510 47,395 Less: Contribution Recd. from Christian Conference of Asia 360,000 5,000 Balance Requested from ACT 3,052,510 42,395 150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel: 41 22 791 6033 Fax: 41 22 791 6506 Coordinating Office Appeal Number: ASSL-01 Appeal Name: Sri Lanka Assistance to Displaced Date Issued: 5 January 2000 Project Completion Date: 31 March 2000 Project Description: The Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India proposes to assist the most vulnerable victims of the present conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil rebels with relief parcels and basic food and non-food items along with medical aid consisting of vitamin and iron tablets. Implementing Activity Appeal Target Partner Description (USD) JDCSI Basic food and non-food items & medicine 47,395 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide network of churches and their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ecumenical Centre Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33 150, route de Ferney Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06 1211 Geneva 2 Telex: 415 730 OIK CH Switzerland http://www.act-intl.org distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -