OCHA Situation Report
Sri Lanka
22 - 28 April 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Overall situation

The Transitional Accommodation Project (TAP) in Galle district reports 
as of 25 April that 2,665 shelters have been completed with 1,892 in 
progress (a total of 4,557) and a further 1,168 committed. The required 
need in total is 5,403. These figures include the provision for affected 
population with damaged homes within 100m and beyond 100m.

Challenge and response

In Galle district mapping of specific activities by UN agencies and NGOs 
by sector is being undertaken by a staff member of UNICEF outsourced for 
this assignment. This exercise is in addition and complements the 
matrices and pro formas distributed previously to identify the 
activities of such entities. The mapping process will concentrate 
particularly on water and sanitation activities, water supply, and 
education. The task is being conducted in close liaison with NGOs such 
as Malteser Germany and SED-Caritas Galle, as well as the OCHA field 
office in Galle district and the Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC).

Out of concern regarding the process of boat distribution in Batticaloa, 
the Livelihood Task

Force there, which consists of government representatives and UN and NGO 
staff, has decided that in order to better control the distribution of 
boats and avoid future environmental damage - the Department of 
Fisheries and organizations involved will discuss with fishermen the 
environmental impact of the proliferation of unregistered boats. In this 
regard, the group also reiterated the need to better inform fishermen 
about the process of distribution as well as the timelines within which 
beneficiary selection and eventually distribution would take place.

On the issue of sea nets, Oxfam Great Britain (GB) and the Hong Kong Red 
Cross say that current government regulation of only distributing to 
individuals had prevented them so far from giving out sea nets. Due to 
the high cost of such nets and the tradition of such fishing being 
conducted in groups, they were not prepared to hand sea nets out to 
individuals. The Livelihood Task Force decided to make a joint appeal to 
the Department of Fisheries to review their policy. Oxfam GB is prepared 
to donate 30 sea nets, while Hong Kong Red Cross would like to hand out 
20 sea nets.

On Sunday 17 April, reports of a group of displaced persons in tents had 
spontaneously occupied private land in Fedroo Estate, Amarasiri 
Kurulagai, Aluthwala (in the borderline area between the divisions of 
Ambalangoda and Baddegama, Galle district). The group has concerned the 
local government and NGOs. The reported number of displaced persons 
varied from 40 families to 1,500 persons, and it is unclear whether they 
are tsunami affected people.

The IDPs are reportedly originating from Hikkaduwa Division. OCHA's 
Galle Field Office conducted assessments twice already to the location 
jointly with other NGOs, and has found that the IDPs are those who were 
previously in tents on the coastal belt but are now too afraid to live 
by the coast, and have moved inland. There are approximately 800 
families living in 300 tents. OCHA along with Project Galle 2005 (PG05) 
is engaging in further discussions with the local government to find a 
solution that provides them better living conditions. Many are still 
receiving assistance from their previous tent arrangements, and are 
registered with their respective divisions for the dry ration 
distributions.

The Batticaloa Infrastructure and Development Task Force has compiled a 
priority list of infrastructure projects for the rehabilitation of 
communities in the district and in preparation for relocation sites. 
While a few donors have come forward to fund some of these projects, 
needs remain great. A major project, for which support is still sought, 
is the clearing of the Batticaloa coastline so that fishermen can resume 
sea fishing unhindered and without safety concerns.

In Batticaloa district the issue of non-compliance with fixed labour 
rates has resurfaced in various taskforce meetings recently. While 
information on fixed labour rates has been circulated repeatedly, 
non-compliance with the guidelines are starting to negatively impact on 
the local economy. The Livelihood Task Force has agreed to follow up on 
enforcement mechanisms in cooperation with the Kachcheri's (Divisional 
Secretariat) Price Fixing Committee and has appealed to all 
organizations to adhere to the guidelines. Skyrocketing rent and service 
prices, as new organizations arrive and offer substantially higher 
rates, is becoming a major complaint among locals and established 
internationals.

Health

World Vision has commissioned an expert to investigate options for 
temporary disposal of gulley bowser-collected waste disposal. 
Assessments have been made in the Hikkaduwa Division , and the Deputy 
Provincial Director of Health Services (DPDHS) suggested other locations 
such as Karapitiya and the Koggala Free Trade Zone as study options.

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF is conducting on 30 
April a one-day Vitamin A Mega-dose supplementation programme for all 
children aged six-months to fiveyears who live in tsunami-affected 
districts.

Counseling for traumatized people in Galle district is not permitted 
unless otherwise officially approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH). 
MoH is planning to train 1,000 community workers as professional 
counselors.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Alcohol and Drugs Information Centre 
(ADIC) in Galle district are working together to identify the problem of 
increased alcohol and drug abuse in camps by using organizational 
volunteers, and consulting with youth and women's groups.

Their findings are expected to lead to an integrated psycho-social 
programme.

Non-food items and shelter

IOM reports that its shelter programme has to date directly assisted 
2,939 families or approximately 13,000 people. It has provided 2,312 
tents or constructed emergency shelters and 627 transitional 
accommodations. IOM has also pledged to construct transitional 
accommodation for an additional 3,979 families. Many privately-owned 
plots of land and common land have now been assigned. Many sites have 
been cleared / leveled in preparation for construction to commence. 
Materials are under procurement.

This week, the first of 81 families have returned to Navalady, the 
hard-hit, narrow stretch of sand between the ocean and the Batticaloa 
Lagoon in Batticaloa district. This return process has been driven by 
the IDPs themselves. They will initially stay in two transit centers 
while they are working with agencies on the reconstruction of their 
homes. Critical road repairs and electricity works are yet to commence. 
In the meantime, the reconstruction of permanent houses of those who 
have returned to their homes, has started in various parts of the 
district.

In Galle district accurate data and figures is still lacking, according 
to the taskforces of government representatives, UN agencies and NGOs, 
making it hard to get a clear picture, particularly as to where IDPs are 
residing. IDP tents along the coastal belt are still mostly empty, 
without occupants in daytime or at night, but tents are still standing 
and erected with few belongings left in the tents. Efforts are being 
made by some organizations, with approval from the local government, to 
pull down the tents where they are obviously not being used.

According to figures from the District Secretariat in Galle District 
dated 11 April 2005, the total number of displaced persons in Galle 
District is 121,934 with the total affected persons being 135,955 
including those indirectly affected because of loss of livelihoods. 
Verification of these numbers still needs to be done as many of the IDPs 
are residing in both new camps inland as well as having received 
transitional shelters in the coastal belt (but opting not to live 
there).

With debris clearing still an on-going concern in Galle district, UNDP 
will provide grant money for cleaning up debris as well as the necessary 
machinery to any interested parties and requested Planning Department to 
work in conjunction with the Municipal Council and Environment 
Department to identify required areas for clearing.

Livelihoods

IOM says its surveys have identified approximately 3,700 individuals who 
have been found eligible for livelihood assistance in IOM supported IDP 
camps. To date, 429 persons have benefited directly from IOM livelihood 
assistance. They have received replacement toolkits, sewing machines, 
sewing training, etc.

IOM Colombo is in the process of procuring replacement tools and 
equipments such as carpentry and masonry kits, bicycles, sewing 
machines, string hopper making equipment, etc. for 3,045 beneficiaries 
who have been identified . More tools and equipment are being procured 
locally with distribution occurring as soon as the items are available.

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