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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts Situation Report # 149

Attachments

16-23 October 2008

IDP situation as reported this week by GAs

Displacement after April 2006

Location
Number of Families
Number of Individuals
Jaffna
6,024
20,249
Vadamarachci East
(now displaced to Mullaitivu)
1,957
7,687
Kilinochchi
37,281
148,255
Mullaitivu
39,248
155,887
Vavuniya
2,970
9,991
Mannar
2,816
8,760
Trincomalee
1,480
4,896
Batticaloa
2,984
11,268
Ampara
1,148
4,223

JAFFNA DISTRICT

Situation update

- The general security situation in the peninsula remained tense during the week, especially in the areas around the FDL. Checks on vehicles and personnel in the mainland and islets have increased. Cordon and search operations especially in the Thennamarachchi area have increased. Roads continue to be blocked regularly to allow military convoy movements.

- All UN, INGO sand other International Agencies participated in a progress review meeting with the GA and SF Commander at Kankasanthurai on 18 October.

- On 23 October, a full day hartal was implemented in the peninsula as a sign of protest against the LTTE attack on a cargo ships on 22 October.

MANNAR & VAVUNIYA DISTRICTS

Situation update

- The general situation in Vavuniya and Mannar District remains tense and potentially volatile. Security forces remain on high alert and regularly carry out cordon and search operations.

- Restrictive procedures at Medawachchiya and at checkpoints along the A14 road continue.

Displacement/Returns

- Small numbers of IDPs continue to arrive in Mannar by sea from LTTE controlled areas. The population at the Sirukkandal IDP site now stands at 142 families (323 individuals), whereas 217 families (497 individuals) are accommodated at the Kallimoddai site.

Sector Developments/Gaps

- WFP transported 755 MT of mixed food commodities including 403 MT of rice, 250 MT of wheat flour, 71.4 MT of lentils and 30.8 MT of vegetable oil to provide a week's ration for approximately 210,000 beneficiaries in the Vanni.

- The District Relief & Resettlement Coordination Meeting took place on 20 October and was chaired by GA Mannar. A suggestion to the constrained space at the Sirukandal and Kalimodai IDP sites was to transfer some IDPs to Vavuniya or to the Jeevodayam camp, which is currently empty but having structures which can be occupied by IDPs.

- RDHS expressed need to have a specialist/ surgeon at Mannar Hospital, where patients not willing to be transferred from the hospital or to other areas for surgery and emergency medical attention can be treated.

- From 18 -19 October, a training workshop on emergency response, Camp Management and Protection of IDPs was held for Government servants including DS, ADS, social service officers and GNs and was jointly organized by the Ministry of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services and District Secretariat with GA Mannar as chair. IDP related issues such as protection, camp setting and its management, effective emergency response, preparedness and role of government officers and UN&I/NGOs were taken up and explained with UNHCR facilitation.

- WFP reports GA Mannar requested to start Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) in Mathakiramam and Periyamurippu for 250 families. According to GA, the livelihood opportunities of these two villages are affected by the volatile security environment.

- World Vision handed over food packages to GA office Vavuniya, to be transported in the GA convoy to Vanni targeting 250 IDP families for two weeks.