OCHA Situation Report
Sri Lanka
17 - 24 August 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Overall Situation

The Japanese Government on 23 August signed a grant contract to provide 
5.4 million rupees towards the "Project for Holistic Care of the 
Differently Abled in Conflict and Tsunami-Affected Areas". The project 
will be implemented by the NGO, Survivors Associated engaged in 
psycho-social development, disability rehabilitation, conflict 
resolution and empowering the differently abled in the North, East, 
South and Northwestern provinces.

Daily situation reports on ongoing activities in the north-east can be 
found at either of the links below.

http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka/catalogue/Catalogues.aspx?CatID=60

or

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc104?OpenForm&rc=3&cc=lka

Coordination and common services

On 20th August, a UN team undertook a field trip to further verify 
information on damages caused to households by a mini-cyclone that swept 
through two villages (Sri Valli Puram and Kanchiranchuda). Ninety nine 
(99) families have been affected. In kanchirankuda 35 houses and in Sri 
valli puram 32 houses were completely destroyed. A total of 21 houses in 
Kanchirankuda and ten houses in Sri valli puram were partially damaged. 
The housing sites were funded by Action Aid for conflict IDPs that have 
now settled in these two villages. Immediate needs were identified as 
shelter and food. IOM immediately provided tents and plastic sheets for 
the families to use and protect their household goods against rains. The 
affected are staying with friends/family within the village. 
Reconstruction of the damaged houses and further assistance to these 
locations are strained as access is restrained.

Main challenges and response

Agencies such as Oxfam, Solidar and CARE have temporarily stopped 
development activities in Vanni due to prevalent security condition. 
UNOPS has stopped their work in Mullaitivu, Pallai and Kallaru in 
Kilinochchi district.

UNOPS reported that a national staff member was shot dead this morning 
(24th August) in Thirukkovil in Ampara by unknown gunmen while on his 
way to work.

Food security

WFP Ampara discussed with GA the issue of immediate response to newly 
arriving IDPs.

Health

The new General hospital in Kilinochchi is not sufficiently equipped to 
cope with the current medical needs of its patients and is overwhelmed 
with injured people due to fighting. It is indicated that 200 beds and 
200 mattresses are needed immediately.

Water and sanitation

More than 7 X 1000 liter tanks, 6 X 200 liter tanks and 3 X 2000 liter 
tanks have been distributed to different IDP sites in Kilinochchi and 
Mullaitivu districts.

Non-food items and shelter

IOM has provided an updated list of vacant transitional shelters 
numbering 127 Kalmunai Muslim, Kalmunai Tamil, Akkaraipattu, 
Alayadivembu and Thirukovil in Ampara district that can be used by new 
IDPs in the district. OCHA is advocating with the government to utilize 
these shelters and not request for new shelters for the new IDP s

The Ampara GA has requested OCHA to advocate to donors through actors at 
Colombo level, to impress upon donors having over-pledged funds in the 
permanent housing donor driven scheme to re-divert excess funds to under 
pledged areas.

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