Attachments
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Note: The last fact sheet was dated April 10, 2009.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- As of April 22, an estimated 81,000 to 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) had crossed from the contested zone in northern Mullaitivu District into Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL)-controlled territory due to recent GOSL military incursions, according to international media reports and the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- On April 20, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) officials rejected a GOSL call for the LTTE to surrender within 24 hours, according to international media reports.
- The GOSL instituted a 48-hour humanitarian pause on April 12 to allow U.N. and other international humanitarian agencies to deliver relief assistance to IDPs trapped in the contested zone. However, shelling resumed on April 14 and the GOSL has rejected calls for further humanitarian pauses, according to international media reports.
- A USAID/OFDA regional advisor is currently in Vavuniya District, Northern Sri Lanka, with the USAID/Sri Lanka mission director to further assess needs for the influx of new IDPs.
HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED FOR THE COMPLEX EMERGENCY IN FY 2008 AND FY 2009
| NUMBERS AT A GLANCE(1) | SOURCE | |
| IDPs who escaped the contested zone from April 20 to 22 | 81, 000
100,000 | Media- April 22, 2009
UNHCR- April 22, 2009 |
| IDPs in camps in Vavuniya, Mannar, and Jaffna districts | 81,075 | UNHCR- April 22, 2009 |
| IDPs in camps before April 20 | 61,000 | OCHA(2)- April 8, 2009 |
| IDPs currently traped in contested zone | 50,000
100,000 | Various- April 22, 2009 |
| Civilian deaths since January 2009 | 4,500 | Media- April 22, 2009 |
(1) Note: The situation remains fluid and the numbers represent estimates
HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED FOR THE
COMPLEX EMERGENCY IN FY 2008 AND FY 2009
USAID/OFDA Assistance to Sri Lanka
$6,428,842
USAID/FFP(3) Assistance to Sri Lanka $43,600,000
State/PRM(4) Assistance to Sri Lanka $1,990,000
State/PMWRA(5) Assistance to Sri Lanka $2,079,322
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Sri Lanka $54,098,164
CURRENT SITUATION
- Following a visit to Cheddikulum Hospital in Vavuniya District, a USAID/OFDA regional advisor noted concerns regarding of health services for wounded IDPs due to the lack of staff and available hospital beds.
- As of April 22, UNHCR had reported that over 81,000 IDPs remained in camps in Jaffna, Mannar, and Vavuniya districts, including more than 12,000 newly arrived IDPs between April 18 and 21.
- Estimates of IDPs currently trapped in the contested zone range from 50,000 to 100,000, according to U.N. and media reports. A significant number of IDPs remain in transit between the contested zone and screening areas or camp sites.
- The number of civilians crossing out of the contested zone is likely to increase as GOSL forces breach the remaining LTTE stronghold in northern Mullaitivu District, according to OCHA.
Humanitarian Access and Protection
- Despite the two-day humanitarian pause from April 13 to 15, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes stressed the need for improved access to permit emergency relief agencies to deliver critical assistance to IDPs.
- On April 20, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern regarding the significant number of civilians remaining in the contested zone, as well as the use of force against civilians by both the LTTE and the GOSL.
- In recent days, UNHCR has noted communication improvements in IDP camps. On April 17, UNHCR reported that GOSL authorities are now allowing family members and friends to visit IDPs for short periods.
Shelter
- On April 21, OCHA noted that U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are working with the GOSL to prepare additional sites to accommodate the influx of IDPs arriving primarily from the contested zone.
- U.N. agencies and NGOs plan to start providing tents to new IDPs in Manik Farm camp site, Vavuniya District, in the coming days, according to OCHA.
- As of April 22, UNHCR had provided 24,100 plastic tarpaulins to displaced civilians since November 2008.
Emergency Relief Commodities
- On April 20, a USAID/OFDA regional advisor noted the availability of food and relief commodities in Vavuniya District for the influx of new arrivals.
- Noting the likely depletion of current emergency relief supplies due to the growing IDP population, OCHA recommended that relief agencies begin restocking warehouses.
- As of April 22, UNHCR and partners had distributed more than 41,300 plastic mats, approximately 28,100 bed sheets, 33,600 mosquito nets, more than 10,400 kitchen sets, hygiene kits, and clothes to IDPs.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
- The provision of safe drinking water remains a concern in IDP camps as a result of the increased IDP population, according to an April 21 OCHA report.
- In response, the U.N. WASH cluster identified temporary measures to augment the availability of potable water, including water transportation by truck.
- In preparation for the arrival of new IDPs, U.N. agencies and NGOs have also started constructing additional hygiene facilities.
Food Assistance
- As of April 20, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) had prepositioned food stocks in Jaffna, Mannar, Trincomalee, and Vavuniya districts to address the needs of incoming IDPs.
- The GOSL stated on April 20 that 1,500 metric tons (MT) of rice, lentils, sugar, and cooking oil departed Trincomalee for Mullaitivu by ship for distribution to IDPs. However, on April 21, OCHA reported that the shipment was delayed due to fighting in the contested zone.
- To date in FY 2009, USAID/FFP has provided 19,500 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance, valued at an estimated $15 million, to WFP to support IDPs in conflict-affected areas. Food commodities, including wheat, vegetable oil, and lentils, are scheduled to begin arriving in June. In FY 2008, USAID/FFP provided 31,360 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance, valued at more than $28.6 million, to WFP. The FY 2008 contribution continues to benefit IDPs and represents a significant portion of WFP-distributed commodities.
USAID AND STATE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
- On October 21, 2008, U.S. Ambassador Robert O. Blake redeclared a disaster in Sri Lanka due to increased conflict and resulting displacement, requesting USAID/OFDA support for FY 2009.
- To date in FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $1.5 million to assist IDPs and returnees, including support for health, logistics, protection, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and food security, economy and market systems, shelter and settlements, humanitarian coordination and information management, and WASH.
- On February 16, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo and USAID/Sri Lanka established a Humanitarian Assistance Team (HAT), led by a USAID/OFDA regional advisor deployed to Sri Lanka. The HAT continues to monitor humanitarian conditions, facilitate U.S. Government assistance, and coordinate with other humanitarian actors.
- On February 23, the U.S. Pacific Command Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team completed an assessment of the humanitarian situation, in coordination with the GOSL.
- To date in FY 2009, USAID/FFP has provided 19,500 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance, valued at $15 million, to WFP.
- To date in FY 2009 State/PRM has provided $1.8 million to UNHCR and $4 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for activities that protect and assist IDPs throughout South Asia, including Sri Lanka.
- To date in FY 2009, State/PMWRA has contributed $600,000 for humanitarian demining in Mannar District.