I. Situation Overview & highlights
- Resettlement picked up again at the beginning of February. Returns occurred to Oddusuddan, Thunukkai and Manthai East (in Mullaitivu District), Manthai West and Madhu (in Mannar District), Vavuniya North (in Vavuniya District) of IDPs from the Menik Farm and Mannar camps and host families in Vavuniya. As mine action operations continue, more returns are planned in the coming weeks, including to new areas east of the A9. One reason for the delays in resettlement, particularly in Vavuniya North, has been a shortage of tin roofing sheets - an Indian donation to the Sri Lankan Government. A consignment has arrived in the country to facilitate the return process.
- Following the rotation of military officials, humanitarian agencies are stepping up engagement with civilian and military authorities to provide the necessary support to the return process. Several coordination meetings have been called by the new commanders as well as by the civilian authorities. Discussions are ongoing to support effective coordination of returns.
- Since early February, new security procedures are in place in crossing the Omanthai checkpoint. NGOs with Presidential Task Force (PTF) approval to operate in the Vanni need also to obtain a letter from the Security Forces Headquarters (SFHQs) to access their respective areas of responsibility. To travel to and from Jaffna, humanitarian agencies need to join the military-escorted convoy leaving at 08:30hrs at Omanthai during weekdays. International staff need to obtain Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearance prior to travel.
- In Menik Farm, which still has a population of about 100,000 persons, funding shortages will affect humanitarian operations starting the end of February. This includes, among others, complementary food distribution, water bowsering, toilet maintenance and healthcare provision. The Food sector has already conveyed its decision to stop complementary food supply to the Vavuniya Government Agent (GA), however, will complement the ration with Corn Soya Blend (CSB) for one month. Health services are progressively shutting down. Reduced capacity for maintaining shelters and tents will affect the IDPs' dignity and their health as materials continue to deteriorate. In terms of water treatment and supplies, agency capacity for March will be sufficient to serve only 47,000 IDPs. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) is currently meeting the needs of an additional 20,000 IDPs. However, they have recently expressed funding concerns for fuel, labour and maintenance. This results in a service shortfall for between 23,000 and 43,000 IDPs for March alone.