Joint Humanitarian and Early Recovery Update April 2011 – Report # 31

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW & HIGHLIGHTS

• Between 1 April and 13 May 2011, 1,139 persons (366 families) departed the Menik Farm and Kodikamam Ramavil camps for their areas of origin in Mullaitivu (Maritimepattu and Odusuddan) and Kilinochchi (Pachchilaipallai and Karachchi) Districts, increasing the total population returned to the Northern Province to 373,593 persons (114,561 families). The resettlement of Menik Farm IDPs of Kilinochchi origin is complete, and the vast majority of the remaining 16,401 persons (4,981 families) hail from Mullaitivu District. Apart from areas with ongoing mine clearance operations in this district, there are several Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) still to be released for mine action interventions to pave the way for IDP returns. Close to 4,700 Menik Farm residents originate from the Ananthapuram, Malligaithivu, Manthuvil, Sivanagar, as well as Puthukudiyiruppu East and West GNDs in Pachchilaipallai Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD). Another 1,700 persons were displaced from their homes in the Ampelavanpokkanai, Keppapulavu (Keppapilavu), Mullivaikal East, West and Centre GNDs of Maritimepattu DSD. Local authorities are reported to have visited Menik Farm to brief IDPs about demining progress to ensure safe, sustainable resettlement.

• Additionally, by 13 May 2011, a total of 1,758 persons (467 families) are stranded in transit locations in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya Districts.

• By 13 May 2011, there was an approximate total of 117,888 IDPs, including from the protracted caseload, living with host families in Vavuniya (18,589 persons), Mannar (4,928 persons) and Jaffna (94,371 persons) Districts.

• In Jaffna District, the government released several GNDs from the Thellipalai High Security Zone, including Kollankaladdy, Naguleswaram, Thellipalai, Thanthaiselvapuram, Maviddapuram and Maviddapuram South, Palai Veemankamam North/South and Varuthalaivilan, on 9 May 2011. According to the Government Agent (GA) office, around 12,200 IDPs (3,500 families) living in welfare centres or with host families wish to return to their homes and lands in these areas. The Ministry of Resettlement plans to distribute tin sheets to them, while the Pradeshiya Sabha will clean and chlorinate common wells and toilet facilities for immediate use, as well as supply drinking water, with agency support. Also, discussions are underway to repair internal roads, bulldoze bunds, renovate key schools and Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society outlets through the Emergency Northern Recovery Project (ENReP).

• Media reports quoting the Commissioner-General for Rehabilitation (CGR) said that the government released around 206 alleged former LTTE combatants on 1 April and an additional 480 cadre on 23 April to relatives, following rehabilitation. Moreover authorities have announced plans to release a further group of alleged LTTE fighters to mark the major Vesak Poya Day falling next week. The CGR states that so far approximately 6,500 former LTTE cadre have been released, with 4,380 remaining in ‘protective custody and rehabilitation centres’, where they receive vocational training and education to support their reintegration into the social mainstream.

• In Kilinochchi District, the Inter-Agency coordination mechanism was revived with the first meeting, since the war concluded, taking place on 28 April 2011. The forum will serve humanitarian actors operational in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts as a forum for information sharing.

FUNDING

• By 14 May 2011, approximately US$19 million (43%) has been mobilized against the revised Flash Appeal requirement of US$46 million to address the underfunded needs of approximately 1.2 million people affected by the January-February floods in primarily the Eastern, Northern and North-Central Provinces.

• By 14 May 2011, nearly US$47 million (16.4%) has been received against the total requirement of US$289 million in the Joint Plan of Assistance for the Northern Province in 2011.