Humanitarian Situation Report - Sri Lanka: 18 - 24 February 2005

Overall situation
The Sri Lankan Department of Census and Statistics is still in the process of compiling a district-by-district census of tsunami affected people and structures. New data is not yet available. The last casualty figures were released by the now defunct Centre for National Operations (CNO) on 1 February. They showed 248,866 Sri Lankan families as having been affected by the tsunami; 553,287 displaced, with 411,302 of those staying with relatives and friends and 141,985 residing in welfare centres or camps (of which there are 315). 30,974 people were reported dead, 23,176 injured and 4,698 still missing.

Government police figures as of 21 February, record 10,152 persons buried at 91 mass grave sites. They include 7,663 unidentified persons. No systematic attempt to collate available photographic records and physical evidence has yet occurred to assist families in their search for missing.

Following his visit to tsunami stricken areas, former U.S. President Clinton has stated that he will recommend to Washington that American assistance to post-tsunami relief and rehabilitation efforts continue three-to-five years more.

The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Mahmoud Al Mahmoud, officially inaugurated on Sunday, 20 February, in Galle District, Seranthukade Division the Tsunami Medical Centre. The Centre is sponsored by a United Arab Emirates-based NGO, Human Appeal International, and managed by a Sri Lankan NGO, Human Care Foundation.

Main challenges and response

According to the Human Rights Commission and Womens NGOs, sexual and gender based violence, including domestic violence and child abuse, remains a concern in temporary camps. Police officials in Batticaloa who deal with the concerns of women and children report rising domestic violence, alcoholism and related violence in the camps. UNICEF also reports similar concerns from camps in Ampara.

UNICEF and its protection partners are monitoring cases of physical and sexual abuse against children in all districts. In Trincomalee, the development of public awareness raising materials on child abuse is ongoing. Boxes have been placed in camps where people can lodge complaints anonymously. In Kilinochchi, a meeting of the Prevention of Child Abuse Committee was held and UNICEF is follow up with posters on child abuse.

Coordination and common services

IOM is providing free transport assistance to UN agencies, NGOs, government agencies and donors. IOM has a fleet of 52 lorries, each with cargo capacity of 10 metric tons. Other custom lorries are available for container shipments, as well as passenger buses, trailers and vans.

Food security

WFP and the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (MRRR) its key implementing partner, have reached new agreement related to food aid purchases. The government has banned new rice importation due to an imminent domestic rice harvest. Because of this, WFP has agreed to make some rice purchases from the local market, thus providing economic support to local farmers. Also due to the government's rice import ban, some WFP shipments already scheduled for delivery will be diverted to other destinations. WFP has been concerned regarding an apparent excessive numbers of food coupons being distributed without clear criteria as to whether such recipients actually need food assistance. In light of this, the MRRR is now closely monitoring such distribution to ensure coupons go only to those in need.

Health

Some 250 Sri Lankan Red Cross volunteers in Batticaloa district are being trained in health education by the ICRC for deployment in welfare centres and transit camps. In Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu, over 50 Red Cross community health workers, paid by the ICRC, are providing first aid and health-education services for displaced families.

UNFPA is donating 20,000 hygiene packs for women and girls which are being distributed by the Family Bureau of the Ministry of Health and the NGO Sarvoday. The packs contain toiletries, sanitary napkins and information material related to female health issues. Some 25,000 such packs had been distributed earlier.

UNICEF has drafted a strategic framework for psycho-social activities in Sri Lanka in the post-tsunami context. Activities cover four main areas: community support services; specialized services for vulnerable groups; direct support for mental health services; and district and national coordination for psycho-social services.

Water and sanitation

In Jaffna, ACF (Action Contre La Faim), the Danish Red Cross, WHO and UNICEF are working together on a coordinated and participatory hygiene promotion strategy in IDP camps in advance of the distribution of hygiene kits. The health promotion campaign is being carried out by health volunteers in the camps. UNICEF is working with a group of NGOs (Merlin, Oxfam, Terre des Hommes, Oxfam UK, ACD and Solidarite) in Ampara district to coordinate hygiene promotion. 400 volunteers are available from the district health authorities to assist with hygiene promotion in the schools and community. In addition, a joint UNICEF/ACF training session on chlorination procedures is being held for 32 government and military personnel and NGO staff.

In Jaffna, the Relief and Response Coordination Committee has designated four transit centres in which UNICEF is now establishing water and sanitation services. A total of 32 toilets and nine wells are being constructed by UNICEF in these transit sites. In most districts, water and sanitation activities are hampered by uncertain relocation plans. The spontaneous resettlement of families on private lands has made it difficult to plan water and sanitation facilities.

The Swedish Red Cross is carrying out a programme to clean and repair water wells in Pottuvil, in the southern part of Ampara District. Four ICRC teams are also cleaning wells in the Batticaloa area. The ICRC is also cleaning and chlorinating wells and installing water tanks at several welfare centres and building latrines and upgrading existing sanitation facilities in cooperation with local authorities in Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

The German Red Cross is operating a water treatment system in Komari distributing up to 120,000 litres of clean water per day to communities and displaced people in the area. The Italian Red Cross has installed a water purification plant with a capacity of 3,400 litres for camps in the Batticaloa area.

Non-food items and shelter

IOM recently distributed 361 additional family tents to IDPs in Ampara district raising their total tents distribution in the district to 681. IOM is also in the process of assembling 25 large communal tents in Trincomalee district for use as temporary living quarters for IDPs from Soodaikudah DS division.

The ICRC has agreed to supply 5,000 tents to displaced families to enable them to move from the emergency welfare centres to transit camps in the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. Over 3000 tents have been set up so far.

In addition, the ICRC has distributed over 6,700 tarpaulins.

The ICRC, with the assistance of volunteers from the Sri Lanka Red Cross, delivered over 12,250 family parcels containing essential household items to displaced people. Of these, 2,000 family parcels went to welfare centres in Sainthamaruthu, 886 to Periya Neelavanai, 1765 to Karaithivu, 1748 to Pottuvil, 1195 to Ninthavur, 1417 to Kalmunaikudy, 345 to Kalmunai, 310 to Maruthumunai, 1060 to Komari, 760 to Akkaraipattu, 497 to Ampara town, 288 to Lahagula-Panama, and 28 to Ulla Arugambay. Also, the ICRC distributed 1271 sarees and sarongs. and kitchen sets to over 1,600 displaced families in the area.

Also with the help of volunteers from the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, the ICRC delivered almost 6000 family parcels containing essential household items. Of these1550 family parcels went to welfare centres located in Vakarai, 1536 to Vallechennai, 1423 to Batticaloa town, 660 to Kote Kallar, 343 to Kattankudy, 170 to Karuvankerny, 135 to Vinaygapuram, 67 to Santhivelly, 30 in Kaluda and 10 in Wembo.

The American Red Cross has assisted some 6,400 displaced families in an area between Pottuvil and Komari. Apart from providing essential household items, it also distributed hygiene kits, tents and tarpaulins.

The Swiss Red Cross has provided an additional 300 family parcels containing essential household items to the Ampara Branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society for distribution to displaced families.

IOM is assisting the Government Agent (GA) Office in Matara district in generating a shelter program database. Approximately 20,000 families have been recorded with a few more thousands still to be entered. Using the GA's Database, IOM generated a report to identify transitional shelter beneficiaries in the district. A total of 6,543 families were identified as needing transitional shelters in the district.

In a temporary shelter camp in Muthur, Trincomalee district, that houses 180 families -- a total of 720 people -- IOM is constructing a communal recreational area, playground, health clinic and a water drainage system. In various DS divisions of Apara district, IOM is constructing temporary shelters for 212 families and 13 temporary buildings to be used for classrooms.

Working with local authorities, the Sri Lankan Red Cross and the ICRC delivered more than 27,000 family kits to welfare centres and transit camps in the north and east of the country. In addition, over 50 welfare centres in the same regions were provided with cooking pots and utensils for communal cooking. The ICRC has agreed to provide 30,000 displaced families monthly with hygiene kits for the next six months.

Education

Accurate figures are not yet available on overall school attendance in tsunami stricken areas. Nevertheless, estimates provided by UNICEF suggest that school attendance is improving although in some districts, such as Galle and Trincomalee, attendance is reportedly low. In Batticaloa District estimated school attendance in Paddiruppu is 70 per cent; in Batticaloa, 60 per cent and in Kalkudah, 80 per cent. School attendance in Hambantota is reported to be 80 per cent and all schools have now resumed classes. In Matara, school attendance is also reported to be about 80 per cent. In Jaffna, attendance in non-affected schools is 90 per cent while attendance in areas where people are temporarily residing is around 55 per cent. UNICEF has been providing basic school supplies in most affected districts.

Plans for temporary and semi-permanent school reconstruction are underway in most districts. In Batticaloa district, construction of temporary school buildings in Paddiruppu is ongoing and should be completed early next week. Construction of temporary school shelters is ongoing in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. UNICEF has also provided 145 tarpaulins and jungle poles for eight schools - consisting of 40 temporary classrooms - where displaced families continue to occupy school buildings. In Trincomalee, UNICEF has provided 14 temporary shelters for seven schools.

Livelihoods

Stitching and distribution of school uniforms is ongoing in all districts and is providing some short-term employment. UNICEF is now considering providing a second set of uniforms for children in the tsunami affected areas. UNICEF reports that 2,250 students from 14 schools have received school uniforms in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu with the stitching and distribution still continuing.

Protection

The latest statistics on unaccompanied and separated children show a total of 45 unaccompanied children, 1,074 separated children and 3,721 children who have lost one parent. Identification of unaccompanied and separated children in the community is ongoing, however due to the fluid situation with temporary camps and relocation sites the data is not yet fully complete.

UNICEF is also tracking follow-up assessments for unaccompanied and separated children. A total of 43 unaccompanied children have benefited from follow-up assessments by Save the Children and Christian Children's Fund. 579 separated children have received follow-up assessments, 36 have benefited from Fit Persons court orders and a further 48 cases are pending; and 686 children who have lost one parent have received family kits.

In Jaffna, Save the Children in Sri Lanka is organizing a training for probation officers, child rights promotion officers, and UN agency and NGO staff on social work related to unaccompanied minors.