Joint Humanitarian and Early Recovery Update November–December 2011 - Report #38

This report indicates the UN and NGO partner response to continuing humanitarian needs and early recovery concerns, in support to the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to rebuild the former conflict-affected regions. Activities show progress towards the sectoral priorities and goals described in the 2011 Joint Plan for Assistance

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW & HIGHLIGHTS

By the end of December 2011, 421,056 people (126,524 families) had returned to the Northern Province. This figure includes 223,745 people (70,625 families) displaced after April 2008 and 197,311 persons (55,899 families) displaced before April 2008.

At the end of November 6,732 IDPs (2,044 families), displaced after April 2008, remained in camps awaiting return to their areas of origin. An additional 7,518 IDPs (2,040 families) from the protracted or long-term caseload, displaced prior to April 2008, remained in camps in Jaffna and Vavuniya districts. During November, 229 IDPs (72 families) living in Menik Farm relocated to a Government-prepared site outside the Kombavil Village in Mullaitivu district, while humanitarian demining activities were going on in the ‘Grey Zone’ areas.

The Government and the UN are engaged in a joint validation exercise to determine the number of people displaced before 2008, who may still need durable solutions. Initiated in August 2011, the survey will determine the current locations, status and intentions of a representative sample of these persons countrywide. The assessments and mapping on the status and extent of humanitarian needs among these displaced communities will support long-term solutions for their issues.

Moreover, the Government and the UN are committed to finding solutions for displaced people, who sought shelter with friends and relatives, left camps and are still living with friends and relatives, or are stranded in transit sites. Again, determining the number of people falling under this category and whether they continue to live with hostss by choice or for lack of a solutions will be critical to support future strategies of assistance.