Main challenges and response
In Trincomalee discussions on how organizations can assist continuous displacement (owing to the conflict situation) is underway.

The GA Ampara stated that he is expecting a severe drought in Ampara in the following three months and that there is already a shortage of water in some areas. The GA has requested for 50 more black tanks to be placed in schools, temples and public places and is expecting floods after the drought. UNICEF is willing to give 29 black tanks to the government and has asked other organizations to assist.

Many of the schools which were used as emergency welfare centres in Ampara during the emergency phase of the tsunami still have outstanding bills (Electricity and Water). The government has failed to pay the bills to date while most of these schools need to be repainted.

Food security

In Trincomalee WFP food distribution is underway in Eachchilampattai where 10,842 individuals benefit. The distributed commodities such as wheat flour, dhal, sugar, oil and canned fish is sufficient for a period of two weeks.

In Killinochchi WFP provided dry rations to IDPs for one month while UNICEF, Save the Children, World Vision and ZOA have assisted over 2,500 families with NFRIs (non food relief items) and shelter.

Health

In Trincomalee UNICEF is expanding its nutrition assessment survey on children under the age of five to the Muttur Government controlled area as well. The survey has been completed in Eachchilampattai, Muttur LTTE controlled area and has covered the displaced population of Vaharai DS division in Batticalloa district.

An ADB funded Kilinochchi district hospital costing over 280 million rupees was opened recently.

Non-food items and shelter

Recently, at a coordination meeting in Batticaloa district, some beneficiaries of Navalady complained that the Eastern Human and Economic Development (EHED) requested an advance of 240,000 rupees to construct the foundation of a house, which the beneficiaries cannot afford, as a result of which construction is delayed. OCHA Batticaloa intervened and discussed the matter with the EHED, which is planning to build 84 owner driven houses in Navalady, each costing 1,250,000 rupees. These houses are specially designed tsunami proof houses with two levels. As it is an owner driven housing program, the EHED's donors are not ready to advance funds prior to construction of the foundation. However, all 84 families have received the 1st instalment of 50,000 rupees from the government. Meanwhile at a second meeting OCHA arranged with the GA, AGA, DS, Navalady GS, and representatives of the community, EHED agreed to release the money in instalments instead of advancing a bulk sum of money according to construction progress.

In Mullaitivu district, 366 out of 4046 tsunami houses are complete while construction is yet to commence on 1,867 houses and donors are needed for 1,411 houses.

Education

Ralkuli school (North West Muttur, LTTE controlled area) in Trincomalee is not operational as the teacher appointed does not attend due to the present security situation. The NGO People in Need (PIN) has arranged non-formal education for the displaced children.

In Killinochchi UNICEF has distributed stationary items and school in a box kits to 200 students at literacy classes and five schools in Mullaitivu district recently.

Kinniya Vision, with support from ILO organised an art workshop and art competition for students of five tsunami-affected schools in Kinniya Division, Trincomalee as part of an awareness raising campaign on Child Labour issues.

Livelihoods

The Livelihoods sector in Ampara needs rejuvenation as there is little activity happening in this area. UNDP, the former lead agency handed over this sector to the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA). OCHA suggested that UNDP liaise with RADA for sometime till RADA is familiar with livelihoods in Ampara. Practical Action the focal point for divisional plans in the district has handed over five of the divisional plans and are waiting for comments from the actors.

Community planning meetings on the identification of new enterprise ideas with 25 communities have been successfully completed by the five ILO partner agencies while 75 completed New Enterprise Project Idea (NEPI) forms from family groups have been submitted to ILO CBTREE Project Office. Presently the Project Office is scrutinizing them together with Technical Working Groups (TWGs) of each DS Divisions in order to decide on their viability and prioritize two of them from each community for training and setting up enterprises. The partner agencies are now collecting information on the tools, equipment, raw materials and trainers for the identified new enterprises.

Under the setting up of a pilot co-fund in Pandiruppu, Kalmunai, the Community Based Organisation (CBO) of the area has obtained their registration through DS Office with the support of the ILO Project Office. ILO will sign a formal service contract with them for the release of the first installment of the co-fund. This money will be managed by the CBO according to the guidance given by the ILO Project Office and loans will be issued to their members for the livelihood activities identified by them.