OCHA Situation Report
Sri Lanka
3 - 7 June 2005


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Situation

On 3 June, a group of 98 humanitarian organizations working in Sri Lanka 
issued a joint statement calling for the end of violence in the country. 
They said that the Ceasefire Agreement of 2002 brought about a spirit of 
optimism and normalcy and that the tragedy of the tsunami, while 
bringing sorrow and devastation, provided a fresh opportunity to restore 
a life of dignity for all reconciliation. But, they, said, it is with 
deep regret that we "have noted instead the steady escalation of 
violence in the East. Of grave concern to us is that the current 
insecurity, particularly the killings and disruption in the Trincomalee 
and Batticoloa areas, could result in further destabilisation of an 
already volatile region." They went on to say, "Not only has this 
instability and lawlessness adversely affected community life, but it is 
detrimental to the speed and effectiveness of the relief operation, 
hinders access to affected communities and hampers reconstruction 
efforts. In addition, lasting peace is a prerequisite for human and 
economic development." In conclusion, they called "upon all concerned 
parties to immediately bring an end to the spiralling violence. We 
strongly urge those responsible to remember that every citizen has the 
fundamental right to life, liberty and security of person.  The 
humanitarian community is committed to ensuring a life of dignity for 
all.  The escalation of violence severely undermines these efforts. We, 
therefore, call upon all parties to seek non-violent options to resolve 
this crisis and promote peace and security in the area."

The Australian government will almost double its financial contribution 
to Sri Lanka's tsunami reconstruction efforts, according to Foreign 
Minister Alexander Downer. The government's donation will increase from 
US$6 million, announced days after the Dec 26 earthquake and resulting 
tsunami, to US$ 13.6 million, Downer said in a statement. "New pledges 
by Australia and other donor nations to support rehabilitation and 
reconstruction activities follow an acknowledgment at a recent Sri Lanka 
Development Forum that the country has performed as well as could be 
expected in response to the tsunami," Downer said. "The government of 
Sri Lanka has given assurances that the assistance will not be taxed and 
the disbursement of funds will be expedited."

Overview of activities

A Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) delegation recently 
presented to government officials and aid agencies active in the 
livelihood sector in Batticaloa a TAFREN/ILO pilot project for the Rapid 
Income Recovery Programme Framework. This framework is designed to 
better coordinate livelihood and income recovery support by developing 
active partnerships between relevant government and non-government 
agencies in the planning and delivery of livelihood programmes and 
activities. It will establish a set of integrated interventions that are 
conflict sensitive, transparent, equitable across regions, inclusive and 
provide equal access to women, men, and members of vulnerable groups - 
including those both directly and indirectly impacted. It will also 
facilitate the development of a village, division, district, and 
national planning system that identify gaps, needs and beneficiaries for 
livelihoods.

As part of its programme for education, Save the Children in Sri Lanka 
(SCiSL) has signed agreements to soon begin repairing or building 40 
pre-schools in Ampara district with partners in the area. In the coming 
weeks, SCiSL Matara will complete the distribution of 5,000 pre-school 
kits for children and 110 kits for teachers. The recipients of SCiSL 
sewing machines in Matara have sewn 511 school uniforms for children in 
five schools and another 1774 uniforms, half the total for girls and 
half for boys have been produced in Galle. SCiSL has also provided 
tsunami-affected families 600 resettlement kits, which include kitchen 
and basic household utensils. Two hundred have been distributed to 
families in Matara districts, and another 200 have been handed over to 
OXFAM for distribution. The remaining 200 will be distributed in 
Hambantota district after an assessment is made to determine those most 
needy. Another 774 resettlement kits have been sent to Ampara district 
with 625 already handed over to partner agencies for distribution.

By 1 June 2005, a total of 5,774 out of a required 10,889 (53 per cent) 
semi-permanent shelters were completed in Batticaloa district. Some 800 
of these are not occupied yet. One thousand five hundred and six 
families remain in tents and 932 in public buildings. In the district, 
over 2,000 beneficiaries - out of a total of 7,000 eligible so far - 
have now received the first installment of their compensation money for 
partially or fully damaged houses. Full compensation amounts to 250,000 
rupees.

Challenges and Responses

Two weeks ago, health actors for the first time reported an outbreak of 
Hepatitis A cases in the camps in Kathiraveli, Vaharai. The number of 
people affected by this outbreak has risen to over 20.  While the Public 
Health Inspectors (PHIs) are ensuring chlorination of water in the 
camps, Oxfam GB is testing water quality. Following a workshop for 
public health inspectors working in the IDP camps earlier this month, 
UNICEF, ACF, Merlin, Oxfam, ACTED and the Italian Red Cross continue 
their efforts in hygiene promotion.

During the 1 June Batticaloa Shelter Task Force meeting -- which 
includes government representatives and those from UN agencies and NGOs, 
shelter organizations agreed that the successful implementation of their 
shelter programmes was not dependent on the completion of the structures 
alone, but was also determined by the engagement of beneficiaries and 
the sense of ownership, which they should develop during the design and 
implementation phase. All agreed that stronger focus needed to be 
directed towards collaboration with beneficiaries. In support of this 
and to improve information sharing with beneficiaries, IOM agreed to 
take over the task of adapting and translating an information bulletin 
that had been circulated in Matara. In addition, Help, a German NGO, 
suggested setting up an information help desk in the camps as a 
practical and simple solution to address the information gap.

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