Joint Humanitarian and Early Recovery Update June 2011 - Report #33

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW & HIGHLIGHTS

• June saw an acceleration of returns to Mullaitivu areas. Between 1 June and 30 June 2011, around 4,800 people (1,400 families) returned to their areas of origin in the Maritimepattu and Puthukkudiyiruppu Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) from Menik Farm camp in Vavuniya District. By end June, the total population returned to the Northern Province stood at 377,497 people (112,288 families) – this figure includes 202,801 people (63,778 families) displaced after April 2008 and 174,696 persons (49,134 families) displaced before April 20081.

• At the end of June, 12,689 IDPs (3,830 families) displaced after April 2008 remained in camps awaiting return to their areas of origin. An additional 8,521 IDPs (2,360 families) from the protracted or long‐term caseload (displaced prior to April 2008) remained in welfare centres. Long‐lasting solutions are also sought by a total 151,663 IDPs living with host families: 66,663 persons (23,281 families) displaced after April 2008, in addition to 85,000 long‐term IDPs (16,945 families).

• A total 5,612 IDPs (1,715 families) remained stranded in transit situations in the five northern districts: 1,732 recent IDPs (479 families) and 3,880 long‐term displaced persons (1,236 families).

• The humanitarian community continues to support the government in its commitment to seek durable resettlement solutions for the remaining displaced people. Agencies are providing returnees with basic services and livelihood assistance to help them rebuild normal lives.

• The Secretary, Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province (PTF) and the UN Resident Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) scheduled a meeting for 15 July to review the progress of the Joint Plan of Assistance for the Northern Province in 2011 (JPA) at the mid‐year milestone. The Government Agents (GA) will discuss achievements and outstanding humanitarian needs and gaps in each of their districts at the meeting bringing together government authorities, UN agencies, and NGO as well as donor representatives.