I. Situation Overview & highlights
TRINCOMALEE
- On 3 August, the Muttur District Secretariat released a phased resettlement plan for all remaining people displaced in 2006/07 in Batticaloa District, who are returning to Trincomalee. It is expected that 429 will have been resettled by 15 September.
VAVUNIYA
- All zones in Menik Farm were hit by flash floods caused by heavy rains and strong winds, which commenced on 14 August. On 16 August, camp authorities confirmed that Zone 4 was the most seriously affected. Tents in 16 out of 37 blocks were damaged or destroyed, leaving 17,539 individuals of the total population of 36,785 in Zone 4 without shelter. Conditions on the ground were made even worse by the overflow of liquid waste and excrement from damaged sewage pipes. IDPs have been advised to seek shelter in the Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) instead of trying to take down and move their tents elsewhere. Camp officials state that IDPs will be relocated to public spaces, such as schools, only as a last resort. Reports indicate that the floodwater is receding, leaving behind stagnant pools contaminated with sewage. Humanitarian agencies are preparing to decommission some latrines and drain the stagnant water.
- The provision of food to Menik Farm is a challenge, given the prevailing weather conditions. On 14 August, the first day of rain, IDPs in some flood-affected zones received only biscuits and water. A few IDPs have resumed cooking on their own and some of them are trying to dry out soaked rice and grains in the sun before the next rains. There are concerns about how to access the entire camp population with 3 meals a day.
- The Shelter Cluster will carry out a rapid assessment of flood damage to the camp's infrastructure on 15 August. The Food Cluster will undertake a similar exercise on 17 August. Assessment results will be shared with humanitarian partners in the coming days.
FUNDING
- On 8 August, the Government of India donated 600 MT of relief items to WFP and UNHCR to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the north and east, particularly those returning home. The consignment included plastic mats, jerry cans, clothing, footwear and packets of spices.
- On 13 August, the Government of Malaysia donated a sum of US$100,000 to the Government of Sri Lanka for the welfare of IDPs in the north and east.