Transitional housing sites
In spite of weather constraints, hartals
(general strikes), and restrictions in movement due to security concerns
in various parts of the country, at the request of Sri Lankan authorities
IOM managed to complete the construction of more than 300 transitional
houses during the reporting period.
With funding from Japan, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department and Greece, IOM has now completed a total of 5378 transitional houses, benefiting more than 20,000 people residing in seven tsunami-affected districts of Sri Lanka. IOM continues to provide site care and maintenance assistance at all IOM transitional housing sites.
Distribution of food and non-food relief items to transitional housing sites
In Ampara rice, tea, plastic buckets, and lamps were distributed to beneficiaries of an IOM transitional housing site that was flooded. In addition, 150 buckets were given to Merlin (INGO) for distribution to beneficiaries in other transitional housing sites that were also flooded.
Political uprisings in the Trincomalee district lead to the displacement of numerous residents living in transitional housing sites in the area. IOM responded to the situation by distributing over 700 bags of rice, 500 hurricane lamps, 300 packets of tea, 15 tents, and 37 mosquito nets to displaced familes. To date, some 300 families have received relief items from IOM in the Eachchilampattu division of Trincomalee. IOM is coordinating with ZOA and Caritas for the distribution of relief items to displaced people in the Soodaikudah division.
Relief items distributed in both Trincomalee and Ampara were provided by Americares.
Water and sanitation
Water and sanitation work for transitional settlements in Matara, Ampara, Gampaha and Kalutara districts continue throughout December and January.
In Matara district, IOM engineers obtained approval from the Ministry of Health for the design and construction of ten toilets. Site inspections were conducted in transitional housing sites regarding the proper functioning of installed water and sanitation facilities. As a result septic tanks and toilets were upgraded in some sites.
In Ampara, IOM engineers monitored transitional sites and identified contractors for the construction of wells in the Pottuvil division. The construction of eight toilets was completed at a transitional accommodation site in Alayadivembu housing 117 beneficiaries. Ten new contracts were also signed for well and toilet construction.
In Kalutara district, designs and cost estimations for permanent toilets were completed for the Galagoda transitional housing site in which 235 beneficiaries reside. Five toilets are now near completion. A bathing area consisting of eight showers was completed at the same housing site and work continues with improvements to the drainage system.
At the Moderawila transitional housing site in Kalutara, where 254 families reside, drainage improvement work was completed. The construction of septic tanks is in progress.
Initial steps have been taken to install drainage systems and septic tanks in an IOM transitional housing site for 52 tsunami affected familes in Negombo, Gampaha district.
To date, water and sanitation work completed by IOM include 239 toilets, 65 shower and bathing facilities, 16 water towers and 26 water tanks. IOM has also constructed 18 two hand dug wells and 17 tube wells and has upgraded two hand dug wells. Construction of drainage systems in many sites, in Gampaha, Matara, and Kalutara districts was completed to facilitate surface water drainage, in order to improve living conditions at transitional housing sites.
IOM is partnering with several NGOs to provide water and sanitation facilities in the tsunami affected districts.
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