Tuesday, June 30, 2009
New funding for Sri Lanka announced
DFID has today approved a grant of £500,000 to UNICEF for an emergency measles and polio vaccination campaign covering all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Vavuniya as well as the provision of nutritional supplements. This programme will operate out of the emergency health clinics in the IDP camps which DFID funded through the International Office of Migration (IOM) last month. Source:
Pakistan Railways to reconstruct 600 coaches, 250km long track in Sri Lanka
Pakistan Railways (PR) will rehabilitate 250 km long rail track damaged in civil war in Sri Lanka besides carrying out a project for improving Sri Lankan Railways’ rolling stock.
Presiding a meeting of Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS) board here Friday, Pakistan Railways Chairman Samiul Haq Khilji said agreement in this regard was reached during his visit to Sri Lanka from June 14 to 21.
He said Pakistan Railways would also carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation of 600 passenger coaches of Sri Lankan Railways. The meeting was attended by GM Operations Saeed Akhtar, Member Finance Jehangir Aziz and Managing Director, PRACS, Mehmood Rashid. Read more ...
Presiding a meeting of Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Services (PRACS) board here Friday, Pakistan Railways Chairman Samiul Haq Khilji said agreement in this regard was reached during his visit to Sri Lanka from June 14 to 21.
He said Pakistan Railways would also carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation of 600 passenger coaches of Sri Lankan Railways. The meeting was attended by GM Operations Saeed Akhtar, Member Finance Jehangir Aziz and Managing Director, PRACS, Mehmood Rashid. Read more ...
Monday, June 29, 2009
HEMAS ASSISTS MENIK FARM CHILDREN WITH PRE-SCHOOLS AND PLAY AREAS
Hemas, one of the first private sector organisations to commence work at Menik Farm in Vavuniya, recently opened three more children’s play areas in Zone 1 in Menik Farm, in partnership with the Children’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Empowerment. The first pre-school and play area were set up in the Kadiragamer relief village in March 2009 in keeping with the company’s CSR project ‘Piyawara,’ which focuses on Early Childhood Development.
The Manager of CSR at Hemas, Shiromi Masakorala said, “Our first visit to Menik Farm was in March 2009 with personnel from the Children’s Secretariat to distribute urgently required items to the IDPs, especially little children. Subsequent to our visit in March, the first pre-school and play area were opened in the same month. In addition, all required items such as crutches, wheel chairs and toys were distributed amongst the IDPs. Our focus on pre-schools and play areas is driven by research which indicates that early childhood development in the first five years of life influences a child’s lifetime education and social achievement. By setting up these activity centres, we hope to foster a sense of normalcy in these young children, by creating environments that are physically attractive and mentally stimulating. In addition to helping these children overcome the trauma of war, the pre-schools also aim to develop the language, cognitive and social skills that will prepare them for Primary School. The temporary pre-schools are constructed by the Ministry while teachers are trained in Early Childhood Education and Trauma Counselling by the Children’s Secretariat”, she added. Read more ...
The Manager of CSR at Hemas, Shiromi Masakorala said, “Our first visit to Menik Farm was in March 2009 with personnel from the Children’s Secretariat to distribute urgently required items to the IDPs, especially little children. Subsequent to our visit in March, the first pre-school and play area were opened in the same month. In addition, all required items such as crutches, wheel chairs and toys were distributed amongst the IDPs. Our focus on pre-schools and play areas is driven by research which indicates that early childhood development in the first five years of life influences a child’s lifetime education and social achievement. By setting up these activity centres, we hope to foster a sense of normalcy in these young children, by creating environments that are physically attractive and mentally stimulating. In addition to helping these children overcome the trauma of war, the pre-schools also aim to develop the language, cognitive and social skills that will prepare them for Primary School. The temporary pre-schools are constructed by the Ministry while teachers are trained in Early Childhood Education and Trauma Counselling by the Children’s Secretariat”, she added. Read more ...
Sri Lanka – Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #13 (FY 2009)
On June 17 and 18, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires and USAID/OFDA staff visited two USAID/OFDA-funded primary health care centers established by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Manik Farm IDP camp. The primary health care centers are equipped with pharmacies and staffed with GoSL Ministry of Health (MoH) doctors and nurses. IOM had established six of the 10 planned primary health care centers at the Manik Farm site as of early June.
While in Vavuniya District, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires and USAID/OFDA staff also visited two USAID/OFDA-supported referral hospitals established by implementing partner Medical Teams International (MTI). The two referral hospitals receive up to a total of 3,000 patients per day. USAID/OFDA supports these hospitals with funding provided through an umbrella grant with UMCOR.
On June 12, the MoH reported having provided 37 ambulances equipped with basic life support equipment to hospitals providing care to IDP patients. The MoH plans to contribute an additional 40 ambulances to primary health care centers in IDP camps, with the assistance of MTI and local government authorities. Read more ...
While in Vavuniya District, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires and USAID/OFDA staff also visited two USAID/OFDA-supported referral hospitals established by implementing partner Medical Teams International (MTI). The two referral hospitals receive up to a total of 3,000 patients per day. USAID/OFDA supports these hospitals with funding provided through an umbrella grant with UMCOR.
On June 12, the MoH reported having provided 37 ambulances equipped with basic life support equipment to hospitals providing care to IDP patients. The MoH plans to contribute an additional 40 ambulances to primary health care centers in IDP camps, with the assistance of MTI and local government authorities. Read more ...
Sri Lanka: Vanni Emergency OCHA Situation Report No. 23
3,068 people have been released from temporary camps into host families and elders’ homes as of 18 Jun 2009. The majority of these people are elders, people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Read more ...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sri Lanka Bank of Ceylon expands services to refugees
Sri Lanka's state run Bank of Ceylon has expanded its services inside camps housing nearly 280,000 refugees in the north of the island, adding mobile computerized branches housed in shipping containers.
Last week the bank added four retail units to its existing branch in the Manik Farm refugee camp complex in the northern Vavuniya district.
"These are fully fledged semi-permanent banking units that even have automated teller machines (ATM) facilities," says chairman Gamini Wickramasinghe.
He said most public servants inside the camps despite receiving wages and pensions have no means of withdrawing cash. Read more ...
Last week the bank added four retail units to its existing branch in the Manik Farm refugee camp complex in the northern Vavuniya district.
"These are fully fledged semi-permanent banking units that even have automated teller machines (ATM) facilities," says chairman Gamini Wickramasinghe.
He said most public servants inside the camps despite receiving wages and pensions have no means of withdrawing cash. Read more ...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
World Bank provides more support to improve health care in Sri Lanka
The World Bank today approved a US$24 million IDA credit providing further support to the Government of Sri Lanka's health service delivery program, with particular emphasis on the special health needs in the north and east arising out of the recent conflict.
With the end of the military conflict, Sri Lanka is now facing the challenges of resettlement and reconstruction within the context of reconciliation. An immediate challenge is to provide basic health services to the conflict-affected populations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including around 280,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently residing in temporary camps. Read more ...
With the end of the military conflict, Sri Lanka is now facing the challenges of resettlement and reconstruction within the context of reconciliation. An immediate challenge is to provide basic health services to the conflict-affected populations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, including around 280,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently residing in temporary camps. Read more ...
Gilani directs HC to send aid to Sri Lanka
ISLAMABAD, Jun 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka to present a cheque of US dollar 70,000 as donation to the Sri Lankan government for supply of medical items for IDPs in Sri Lanka, under the Special Assistance Programme for South Asia (SAPSA) Fund. The government of Sri Lanka had requested the international community including Pakistan for assistance in addressing the humanitarian situation arising out of armed conflict with LTTE in the North. Source:
DECs go North-East
The Government will set up four Dedicated Economic Centers (DECs) in Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, Medawachchiya and Jaffna within this year to provide essential commodities to the people in the North and the East at concessionary rates.
Addressing a media-briefing in Colombo yesterday, Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that four DECs would facilitate to uplift the living standards of Northern and Eastern farmers by resolving their marketing problems. ”We have planned to open four DECs shortly under the Uthuru Vasanthaya to provide relief to both consumers as well as farmers,” the Minister said.
It has also become inevitable to ensure economic development in these regions by launching such projects,” the Minister said. Read more ...
Addressing a media-briefing in Colombo yesterday, Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that four DECs would facilitate to uplift the living standards of Northern and Eastern farmers by resolving their marketing problems. ”We have planned to open four DECs shortly under the Uthuru Vasanthaya to provide relief to both consumers as well as farmers,” the Minister said.
It has also become inevitable to ensure economic development in these regions by launching such projects,” the Minister said. Read more ...
Psycho-social intervention at welfare centres
A psycho-social Intervention and Guidance Service has been initiated in IDP welfare villages in Vavuniya for displaced students and education employees including teachers.
The main objective of this program is to assist them to gain mental health and create the necessary background for them to revive their educational and vocational activities.
The program is launched on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and supervised by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and the Director of the Psycho-social intervention and guidance Department of the Education Ministry K.P.N. Premasiri.
He will seek the assistance of Provincial psycho-social resource centre managers, in-service advisers and other relevant cadres attached to the department, islandwide in implementing this program. Read more ...
The main objective of this program is to assist them to gain mental health and create the necessary background for them to revive their educational and vocational activities.
The program is launched on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and supervised by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha and the Director of the Psycho-social intervention and guidance Department of the Education Ministry K.P.N. Premasiri.
He will seek the assistance of Provincial psycho-social resource centre managers, in-service advisers and other relevant cadres attached to the department, islandwide in implementing this program. Read more ...
Status of livelihood development and humanitarian assistance
In order to uplift the livelihood of the fishing community in the Northern and Eastern provinces the government has decided to lift all restrictions which were in force to prevent LTTE illegal activities. The decision came into effect after a discussion held by Senior Presidential Advisor Hon. Basil Rajapaksa MP with the fishing community in the two provinces on the directions of the H.E the President.
Private traders/transporters are allowed to transport consumer goods by lorries through A- 9, Kandy – Jaffna highway. A convoy of 40 lorries will be permitted twice a week to travel through A-9 highway. So far nearly 300 private lorry owners registered with government authorities for transport of essential goods to the North. The government is also planning to allow public transport along the road during day time once de-mining process is completed. Read more ...
Private traders/transporters are allowed to transport consumer goods by lorries through A- 9, Kandy – Jaffna highway. A convoy of 40 lorries will be permitted twice a week to travel through A-9 highway. So far nearly 300 private lorry owners registered with government authorities for transport of essential goods to the North. The government is also planning to allow public transport along the road during day time once de-mining process is completed. Read more ...
New security system for Sri Lanka IDPs
Sri Lanka government is to introduce a new security system for the safety of the internally displaced persons in the North.
The Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management, Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the Human Rights Commission of the United Nation has also welcomed the new security system to be introduced on behalf of the IDPs.
Under the new security system senior government officials and the representatives of both local and International Non Government Organizations are to work together. Read more ...
The Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management, Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the Human Rights Commission of the United Nation has also welcomed the new security system to be introduced on behalf of the IDPs.
Under the new security system senior government officials and the representatives of both local and International Non Government Organizations are to work together. Read more ...
IDPs 'suffering from eye diseases'
The health ministry in Sri Lanka says that over 4000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Vavuniya camps are suffering from eye diseases.
Deputy Director of Public Health Dr. Palitha Maheepala told BBC Sandeshaya that there seems to be an increase in eye diseases among the Internally displaced in camps.
"We have found that IDPs are suffering from bad eye sight, cataract and eye sore. The ministry is taking special measures to treat and advise the IDPs," he said. Read more ...
Deputy Director of Public Health Dr. Palitha Maheepala told BBC Sandeshaya that there seems to be an increase in eye diseases among the Internally displaced in camps.
"We have found that IDPs are suffering from bad eye sight, cataract and eye sore. The ministry is taking special measures to treat and advise the IDPs," he said. Read more ...
Attempt to sell details of Sri Lanka IDPs through internet uncovered
Sri Lanka police has commenced investigations to arrest a suspect who is attempting to earn money from selling the details of Internally Displaced Persons through internet.
According to the police the suspect has sent several e-mails to expatriate Sri Lankans saying that he could provide details of the IDPs.
The suspect, a resident from Koswaththa in Baththaramulla area asks for a US$ 25 registration fee per displaced person to provide the basic details. Read more ...
According to the police the suspect has sent several e-mails to expatriate Sri Lankans saying that he could provide details of the IDPs.
The suspect, a resident from Koswaththa in Baththaramulla area asks for a US$ 25 registration fee per displaced person to provide the basic details. Read more ...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Government will resettle displaced Muslims - Dr. G. M. S. Zurfick
Former UNP stalwart Dr. GMS Zurfick yesterday said he is confident that the Government under the able guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa will take steps to resettle all Muslims who were chased away by the LTTE terrorists from the Mullativu and Jaffna districts in the 1980s and 1990s.
He said over 75,000 Muslims were living in the northern province and they were forcibly evicted from their original habitat within 24 hours by the LTTE to create a single ethnic Tamil State in the northern province.
Dr. Zurfick said President throughout his history has stood up for the legitimate rights of Muslims in the country and outside.
He firmly stood by the people of Palestine and Muslims in the North alike, he said. Dr. Zurfick said former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his 2 1/2 year rule betrayed the people and the country by conniving with the terrorists who demanded a separate State for Tamil speaking people in the country. Read more ...
He said over 75,000 Muslims were living in the northern province and they were forcibly evicted from their original habitat within 24 hours by the LTTE to create a single ethnic Tamil State in the northern province.
Dr. Zurfick said President throughout his history has stood up for the legitimate rights of Muslims in the country and outside.
He firmly stood by the people of Palestine and Muslims in the North alike, he said. Dr. Zurfick said former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his 2 1/2 year rule betrayed the people and the country by conniving with the terrorists who demanded a separate State for Tamil speaking people in the country. Read more ...
Govt moots IDP forum
The Government is to create a new forum to discuss IDP protection issues. The forum includes key stakeholders such as senior public officers, key focal points in the UN system and representatives of the international and local Non-Governmental Organizations engaged in providing protection to IDPs.
Speaking to relevant parties at a recent meeting, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that it was his intention to create forums in Colombo and Vavuniya where protection issues can be discussed and consensual decisions taken.
During the meeting the Minister pointed out that if issues could be resolved by way of collaboration and partnership, there would be no necessity to canvass them through the media.
”When protection agencies seek to highlight these issues in the media in the first instance, the outcome will be a contest of words and a not a partnership that works on behalf of Internally Displaced Persons,” he added.
He also added that regular coordination meetings would be held at which progress could be monitored jointly by the Government and its partners. Read more ...
Speaking to relevant parties at a recent meeting, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that it was his intention to create forums in Colombo and Vavuniya where protection issues can be discussed and consensual decisions taken.
During the meeting the Minister pointed out that if issues could be resolved by way of collaboration and partnership, there would be no necessity to canvass them through the media.
”When protection agencies seek to highlight these issues in the media in the first instance, the outcome will be a contest of words and a not a partnership that works on behalf of Internally Displaced Persons,” he added.
He also added that regular coordination meetings would be held at which progress could be monitored jointly by the Government and its partners. Read more ...
Monday, June 22, 2009
India offers Rs. 5b for displaced persons - Thondaman
Minister of Youth Empowerment and Socio Economic Development and CWC General Secretary Arumugan Thondaman who recently went to India on a goodwill mission said that the Indian centre has pledged five billion rupees assistance to the Government towards the post conflict phase in rehabilitation, resettlement and welfare measures for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi and other leaders whom he met in Chennai also assured to assist the IDPs, he said.
During his meeting with the Tamil Nadu CM, he renewed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s earlier invitation for the CM to visit Sri Lanka to see for himself the humanitarian and welfare assistance being extended to the IDPs and the invitation drew a positive response from the CM, Thondaman said and added that it was very likely that they will pay a visit soon. Read more ...
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi and other leaders whom he met in Chennai also assured to assist the IDPs, he said.
During his meeting with the Tamil Nadu CM, he renewed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s earlier invitation for the CM to visit Sri Lanka to see for himself the humanitarian and welfare assistance being extended to the IDPs and the invitation drew a positive response from the CM, Thondaman said and added that it was very likely that they will pay a visit soon. Read more ...
IDPs move to new centres
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sheltered in welfare camps and relief villages in Cheddikulam, Vavuniya are moving over to new welfare centres put up in close proximity.
“We are gradually reorganising the present set up and in the new camps the number of people will be limited to 1,000, making it easier to provide more attention to individuals,” the Competent Authority for coordinating and organising welfare and relief work for displaced Northern civilians, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said.
Some of the IDPs have been relocated in newly set up camps in Weerapuram and Sumathipuram in Vavuniya and some are settling down in the newly established Zone 6 close to the Manic Farm in Cheddikulam.
“Each family will be given separate shelter. We will be able to finalise this in less than two months and the facilities provided so far will continue as usual,” the Competent Authority said. Read more ...
“We are gradually reorganising the present set up and in the new camps the number of people will be limited to 1,000, making it easier to provide more attention to individuals,” the Competent Authority for coordinating and organising welfare and relief work for displaced Northern civilians, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said.
Some of the IDPs have been relocated in newly set up camps in Weerapuram and Sumathipuram in Vavuniya and some are settling down in the newly established Zone 6 close to the Manic Farm in Cheddikulam.
“Each family will be given separate shelter. We will be able to finalise this in less than two months and the facilities provided so far will continue as usual,” the Competent Authority said. Read more ...
IDP relief from Red Cross
The City branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has arranged a consignment of relief items consisting of bottled water and baby items including sanitary kits, towels, napkins to IDPs in Vavuniya. Over 10,700 bottles of water donated by Suntel Telephone Company were handed over to the President of SLRCS Jagath Abeysinghe by a team of representatives of Suntel headed by Prabakar Theagaraja, Head of Procurement at National headquarters of SLRCS in Colombo recently.
National Secretary of SLRCS Nimal Kumar thanked the City Branch and Suntel for expressing solidarity for a humanitarian cause. `SLRCS with Red Cross is immensely supporting and addressing relief needs of IDPs. This donation by Suntel is a timely intervention to address the water requirement of those people, he added. Read more ...
National Secretary of SLRCS Nimal Kumar thanked the City Branch and Suntel for expressing solidarity for a humanitarian cause. `SLRCS with Red Cross is immensely supporting and addressing relief needs of IDPs. This donation by Suntel is a timely intervention to address the water requirement of those people, he added. Read more ...
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Free Trade Zones for Trinco, Kilinochchi
Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, yesterday said that Free Trade Zones will be inaugurated in the Trincomalee and Kilinochchi districts under the ‘Negenahira Navodaya’ and ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ programmes.
He was speaking at the ceremony where an agreement was signed between the Board of Investment and APS Knitters (PVT) Ltd., to establish a fully fledged T-shirt factory here.
Entrepreneurs in the UAE had already expressed willingness to construct agri based factories in the North and the East, he said. Read more ...
He was speaking at the ceremony where an agreement was signed between the Board of Investment and APS Knitters (PVT) Ltd., to establish a fully fledged T-shirt factory here.
Entrepreneurs in the UAE had already expressed willingness to construct agri based factories in the North and the East, he said. Read more ...
Sri Lanka: Vanni Emergency OCHA Situation Report No. 22
3,054 people have been released from temporary camps into host families and elders’ homes as of 11 Jun 2009. The majority of these people are elders, people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable groups. Read more ...
Israeli humanitarian aid dispatched to Sri Lanka
The MFA has dispatched a shipment of humanitarian aid to assist the people of Sri Lanka, left homeless due to the war with the Tamil rebels.
A shipment of medical equipment and drugs, contributed by the MFA and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, will be delivered tomorrow (Friday, June 19 2009) to the Sri Lankan health authorities. Read more ...
A shipment of medical equipment and drugs, contributed by the MFA and the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, will be delivered tomorrow (Friday, June 19 2009) to the Sri Lankan health authorities. Read more ...
Thursday, June 18, 2009
SLRCS improves water supply to IDPs in Vauniya
The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has installed an Emergency Response Water Treatment Plant at Vauniya with purification facilities for distribution of drinking water to IDPs in welfare centers in zone 4 of Manik Farm, Vauniya.
Initially 50,000 liters of water will be distributed to IDPs daily through Red Cross bowsers Water will be obtained from a nearby tank. SLRCS has planned to increase the distribution of water up to 200,000 liters per day. Read more ...
Initially 50,000 liters of water will be distributed to IDPs daily through Red Cross bowsers Water will be obtained from a nearby tank. SLRCS has planned to increase the distribution of water up to 200,000 liters per day. Read more ...
Displaced Tamil civilians find solace at Indian hospital in Sri Lanka
The Tamil civilians uprooted from their homes and hearths due to fighting between Sri Lankan forces and now-vanquished LTTE were finding some solace at an Indian hospital here.
Indian doctors are treating about 600 patients every day at the hospital, shifted to Chettikulam in Vavuniya to help the Tamils easily access to modern medical facilities.
As a 25-year-old internally displaced person (IDP), injured during the conflict between the Sri Lankan forces and the Tigers, lay at a bed resigned to his fate, the doctors examine the progress of his treatment.
"His leg had a bullet for more than a month and he was not even aware of it. If it had not been for the timely detection, his leg would have to be amputated. He is lucky that the bullet has been removed," a doctor said. Read more ...
Indian doctors are treating about 600 patients every day at the hospital, shifted to Chettikulam in Vavuniya to help the Tamils easily access to modern medical facilities.
As a 25-year-old internally displaced person (IDP), injured during the conflict between the Sri Lankan forces and the Tigers, lay at a bed resigned to his fate, the doctors examine the progress of his treatment.
"His leg had a bullet for more than a month and he was not even aware of it. If it had not been for the timely detection, his leg would have to be amputated. He is lucky that the bullet has been removed," a doctor said. Read more ...
Goods flow through A9
Around 35 lorries belonging to private traders transporting essential items to the North through the A9 Road left Medawachchiya yesterday morning.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said 35 lorries of private traders have left from Medawachchiya check point carrying essential items to the North on the A9 Road after a lapse of several years.
“These lorries were carrying essential items such as rice, sugar, dhal, oil etc for the Northerners”, he added. He asserted that every three days around 40 lorries will be allowed to transport essential items to the North via the A9 Road. Read more ...
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said 35 lorries of private traders have left from Medawachchiya check point carrying essential items to the North on the A9 Road after a lapse of several years.
“These lorries were carrying essential items such as rice, sugar, dhal, oil etc for the Northerners”, he added. He asserted that every three days around 40 lorries will be allowed to transport essential items to the North via the A9 Road. Read more ...
ShelterBox ramps up Sri Lanka aid effort
International disaster relief charity ShelterBox is sending more aid to Sri Lanka to alleviate the plight of thousands of people left homeless by the fighting between the army and Tamil separatists.
An additional 200 ShelterBoxes – which will give emergency shelter to up to 2,000 people - are due to arrive in the country on 21 June. They will be distributed to vulnerable people in Menik Farm (Zone 3) in the Vavuniya District. ShelterBox has already distributed 448 ShelterBoxes in Menik Farm since the beginning of May.
"There is still a great need for emergency shelter in the country," says ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) member Laura Jepson who returned from the country on 12 June. "Although the fighting has now ended, it will be many months before most of the displaced people will be able to go back to their homes. The conditions in the camps are very poor. They are very overcrowded." Read more ...
An additional 200 ShelterBoxes – which will give emergency shelter to up to 2,000 people - are due to arrive in the country on 21 June. They will be distributed to vulnerable people in Menik Farm (Zone 3) in the Vavuniya District. ShelterBox has already distributed 448 ShelterBoxes in Menik Farm since the beginning of May.
"There is still a great need for emergency shelter in the country," says ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) member Laura Jepson who returned from the country on 12 June. "Although the fighting has now ended, it will be many months before most of the displaced people will be able to go back to their homes. The conditions in the camps are very poor. They are very overcrowded." Read more ...
LTTE child soldiers allowed to exchange letters with parents
Hundreds of surrendered LTTE child soldiers, who are being kept in various welfare camps in Vavuniya, have been allowed to exchange letters and telephone calls with their parents, a top commander said.
"We have started allowing them to exchange letters with their parents, though they are yet not permitted to interact with them directly," Competent Authority for the IDPs Major General GA Chandrasiri said.
Talking to an Indian convoy led by High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Chandrasiri said the former child soldiers could also talk to their family members over phone. Read more ...
"We have started allowing them to exchange letters with their parents, though they are yet not permitted to interact with them directly," Competent Authority for the IDPs Major General GA Chandrasiri said.
Talking to an Indian convoy led by High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Chandrasiri said the former child soldiers could also talk to their family members over phone. Read more ...
New dairy farm villages in Northern Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Ministry of Livestock Development has taken measures to develop the liquid milk product industry in the Northern Province.
The Ministry hopes to establish 70 new dairy farm villages in selected areas of Northern Sri Lanka aiming to meet its own milk demand in the province and increase the diary production in the region.
Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu districts will each get 15 diary farm villages while another 10 villages will be established in Jaffna. Read more ...
The Ministry hopes to establish 70 new dairy farm villages in selected areas of Northern Sri Lanka aiming to meet its own milk demand in the province and increase the diary production in the region.
Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu districts will each get 15 diary farm villages while another 10 villages will be established in Jaffna. Read more ...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
More relief assistance from WFP
The United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) has agreed to increase relief assistance for the low income communities from US $ 117 million to US $ 135 million with the influx of large numbers of internally displaced persons of the North, Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry Project Director R.H.W.A. Kumarasiri told the Daily News yesterday.
WFP is assisting the Nation Building Ministry in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Pollonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara, Moneragala, and Hambantota. There are over 433,000 beneficiaries, he said. WFP's largest operation in Sri Lanka started in the aftermath of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, assisting over 918,000 beneficiaries.
It has also been assisting the schoolchildren mid-day meal program in collaboration with the Education Ministry since August 2003. A total number of 393,000 students from 1,615 schools benefit from this program. Read more ...
WFP is assisting the Nation Building Ministry in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Pollonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara, Moneragala, and Hambantota. There are over 433,000 beneficiaries, he said. WFP's largest operation in Sri Lanka started in the aftermath of the December 26, 2004 tsunami, assisting over 918,000 beneficiaries.
It has also been assisting the schoolchildren mid-day meal program in collaboration with the Education Ministry since August 2003. A total number of 393,000 students from 1,615 schools benefit from this program. Read more ...
Lodging being provided for medics in the Vanni
The dearth of lodging facilities for doctors and nurses serving in the Vanni welfare camps was partially settled by the Health Ministry. Two sets of quarters for doctors and nurses were opened by Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva with assistance from the World Health Organization and the State Pharmaceutical Corporation.
A spokesman for the Health Ministry said yesterday (16) that the quarters had been opened in Cettikulam. 48 doctors and 50 nurses could be housed in the two quarters. Five million rupees was provided by the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation for the purchase of furniture.
Two more quarters would be constructed close to the Kadiragamarpura welfare camp for 48 more doctors and 24 paramedics within the next few weeks. Read more ...
A spokesman for the Health Ministry said yesterday (16) that the quarters had been opened in Cettikulam. 48 doctors and 50 nurses could be housed in the two quarters. Five million rupees was provided by the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation for the purchase of furniture.
Two more quarters would be constructed close to the Kadiragamarpura welfare camp for 48 more doctors and 24 paramedics within the next few weeks. Read more ...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Lady GA at the helm
Coordinating humanitarian assistance to the people in the Wanni, the Government Agent and District Secretary for Vavuniya, Piencia S.M. Charles set to work almost from day one to clear jungle areas on the instructions of the government to resettle the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who the government had correctly envisaged would need accommodation in the aftermath of the conflict that raged in the northern part of Sri Lanka.
Expressing her feelings for these innocent victims of war, the GA said that nothing is overlooked as any oversight could cause a build up of issues that they are already grappling with. “The people in the relief villages express their needs, fears and anxieties – all natural aftermaths of a war anywhere in the world. My role is to fulfill these needs to the best of my ability,” she said. Read more ...
Expressing her feelings for these innocent victims of war, the GA said that nothing is overlooked as any oversight could cause a build up of issues that they are already grappling with. “The people in the relief villages express their needs, fears and anxieties – all natural aftermaths of a war anywhere in the world. My role is to fulfill these needs to the best of my ability,” she said. Read more ...
Fishing restrictions in East eased
Under the advice of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Government has eased the restrictions imposed on fishing time yesterday.
As a result of the humanitarian mission to free the country from the LTTE clutches, the Government has decided to allow fishermen to fish during the whole day in the Eastern sea except the Trincomalee harbour area.
The Government's decision was conveyed to the fishermen in the East by Senior Advisor to the President, Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. However, fishermen who use 'Teppan' are allowed to fish between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said so when he met fishermen of the Muthur and Trincomalee areas.
Additionally, the 24 hour ban imposed on fishing in the Trincomalee harbour area has also been revised by the Government. Accordingly, fishermen are allowed to fish in the harbour area from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read more ...
As a result of the humanitarian mission to free the country from the LTTE clutches, the Government has decided to allow fishermen to fish during the whole day in the Eastern sea except the Trincomalee harbour area.
The Government's decision was conveyed to the fishermen in the East by Senior Advisor to the President, Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. However, fishermen who use 'Teppan' are allowed to fish between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said so when he met fishermen of the Muthur and Trincomalee areas.
Additionally, the 24 hour ban imposed on fishing in the Trincomalee harbour area has also been revised by the Government. Accordingly, fishermen are allowed to fish in the harbour area from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Read more ...
Access To Displaced Sri Lankans Has Improved
The United Nations humanitarian wing reported today that access to camps in Vavuniya housing some of the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced by the recently-ended conflict in Sri Lanka has improved, though some delays are still being experienced.
In addition, work on an additional camp in the area had begun, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that workers are clearing more areas for future camps.
Last month the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) had left the conflict zone. The majority of those who fled are said to be in Vavuniya.
OCHA said that, between 27 October 2008 and 8 June, 280,812 people crossed to the Government-controlled areas from the conflict zone, including 3,194 who were registered last week.
It added that as of 8 June, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) had delivered nearly 880 metric tonnes of food to IDPs in Vavuniya. Read more ...
In addition, work on an additional camp in the area had begun, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that workers are clearing more areas for future camps.
Last month the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had ended, and that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) had left the conflict zone. The majority of those who fled are said to be in Vavuniya.
OCHA said that, between 27 October 2008 and 8 June, 280,812 people crossed to the Government-controlled areas from the conflict zone, including 3,194 who were registered last week.
It added that as of 8 June, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) had delivered nearly 880 metric tonnes of food to IDPs in Vavuniya. Read more ...
UN responsible for 'IDP toilets'- Minister
The Sri Lankan government says that the United Nations should take responsibility for not providing enough toilet facilities for the internally displaced people (IDPs) in Vavuniya camps.
The UN has said that only half of the toilets and minimum facilities for bathing are available for IDPs in the camps.
However, Resettlement Minister Risath Bathiuddeen told BBC Sandeshaya that the UN was offered government land and UN received international funding to provide adequate facilities.
“The delay is from their part, the government is not responsible for the dealy,” he said.
The Sri Lanka government says it is not abnormal that some elderly IDPs die while in the camps.
Deputy Minister in charge of social services Lionel Premasiri told BBC Sandeshaya that majority among nearly 270,000 IDPs are elderly and children.
"So it is natural that some elderly people die in the camps," he said. Read more ...
The UN has said that only half of the toilets and minimum facilities for bathing are available for IDPs in the camps.
However, Resettlement Minister Risath Bathiuddeen told BBC Sandeshaya that the UN was offered government land and UN received international funding to provide adequate facilities.
“The delay is from their part, the government is not responsible for the dealy,” he said.
The Sri Lanka government says it is not abnormal that some elderly IDPs die while in the camps.
Deputy Minister in charge of social services Lionel Premasiri told BBC Sandeshaya that majority among nearly 270,000 IDPs are elderly and children.
"So it is natural that some elderly people die in the camps," he said. Read more ...
60,000 IDPs held hostage… by INGOs…
Senior members of major local NGOs have accused major INGOs operating in the north of the country of deliberately denying facilities to IDPs in the Wanni refugee camps, in order to humiliate and discredit the government.
By limiting their cooperation with the government it is alleged that prominent INGOs are working to ensure that conditions in the camps remain as unsanitary as possible – allowing the international community to heap condemnation on the government for its failure to care for IDPs.
A range of INGOs and even the UNHCR stands accused of effectively holding IDPs hostage in order to carry out a political agenda dictated by major Western powers. It is claimed that major INGOs are refusing to work in, and provide aid to, government run camps in Zones 0 and 1 of the Wanni resettlement site. Read more ...
By limiting their cooperation with the government it is alleged that prominent INGOs are working to ensure that conditions in the camps remain as unsanitary as possible – allowing the international community to heap condemnation on the government for its failure to care for IDPs.
A range of INGOs and even the UNHCR stands accused of effectively holding IDPs hostage in order to carry out a political agenda dictated by major Western powers. It is claimed that major INGOs are refusing to work in, and provide aid to, government run camps in Zones 0 and 1 of the Wanni resettlement site. Read more ...
Toilet crisis in IDP camps: UN report
Only half of the required toilets and one sixth of the entire requirement of bathing spaces are available for the displaced people in Vavuniya camps, a United Nations report said.
While about 6,000 toilets are needed in the camps, only about 3,150 have been constructed and about 2800 need to be set up immediately, the report said. To reduce the ratio from 1:50 to 1:20, nearly 11,500 more toilets will have to be set up later.
Only 200 bathing spaces have been set up though 1,200 are needed. The Sunday Times learns that restrictions by the government on access to these camps have affected the progress of the relief work there. James Elder the spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is playing a major role in meeting the water and sanitation needs of the IDP camps, said, restrictions caused serious impediments in carrying out their work. However, they were doing their best. Read more ...
While about 6,000 toilets are needed in the camps, only about 3,150 have been constructed and about 2800 need to be set up immediately, the report said. To reduce the ratio from 1:50 to 1:20, nearly 11,500 more toilets will have to be set up later.
Only 200 bathing spaces have been set up though 1,200 are needed. The Sunday Times learns that restrictions by the government on access to these camps have affected the progress of the relief work there. James Elder the spokesperson for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which is playing a major role in meeting the water and sanitation needs of the IDP camps, said, restrictions caused serious impediments in carrying out their work. However, they were doing their best. Read more ...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
CHA Head threatens Court action
Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) Head,Jeevan Thiyagarajah had informed an audience of the Resettlement Minister, officials, Head of a UN agency and INGO's involved in erecting shelters for 277,000 IDPs on Friday that they must collectively act in the best interest of the IDPs now, or be compelled to do so through Court action, which he formally declared he would pursue if internal reconciliation and action was not forthcoming.
Describing the current situation as immoral, Thiyagarajah said he had been disappointed on one particular count where women had to share tents with strangers and generally on the obstacles to Sri Lanka agencies partnering in providing toilets speedily in line with public health laws of the Government.
The Minister too had sought consensus. The Ministry had last week adopted and distributed the best features of Humanitarian Standards, drawn from global instruments such as sphere for provision of shelter, non food relief items (NFRI) and water and sanitation. It had also adopted two specifications from UNHCR for shelter and NFRI while Government agency experts had provided the technical standards for sanitation facilities. Read more ...
Describing the current situation as immoral, Thiyagarajah said he had been disappointed on one particular count where women had to share tents with strangers and generally on the obstacles to Sri Lanka agencies partnering in providing toilets speedily in line with public health laws of the Government.
The Minister too had sought consensus. The Ministry had last week adopted and distributed the best features of Humanitarian Standards, drawn from global instruments such as sphere for provision of shelter, non food relief items (NFRI) and water and sanitation. It had also adopted two specifications from UNHCR for shelter and NFRI while Government agency experts had provided the technical standards for sanitation facilities. Read more ...
Providing essential nutrition for the displaced children in Northern Sri Lanka
A leading NGO is engaged in a supplementary feeding programme to address the unique and critical nutritional needs of children under five, and nursing mothers in the displacement camps in Vavuniya. The programme by World Vision Lanka has been designed to meet the specific high calorie requirement of the target group.
“In addition to the minimum standard requirement of 500 KCal, expected to be met from the general food provision, World Vision’s supplementary food programme provides the additional 540 Kcal required by children under five, pregnant and lactating mothers,” said World Vision Lanka’s Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Paraman Ramesh.
Nutrition is a critical issue for IDPs who have had little access to nutritious meals. Lactating mothers and children under five are particularly at risk after months of limited access to food of high nutritional value.
Every day, World Vision provides UNIMIX, a high calorie supplementary food and serves porridge to 1,750 children under five and 173 nursing mothers in five camp sites in Pooththoddam, Kovilkulam Hindu College, Sivapirakasa Ladies College, and Pampamadhu, Soodhuwethapulavu School in Vavuniya. Read more ...
“In addition to the minimum standard requirement of 500 KCal, expected to be met from the general food provision, World Vision’s supplementary food programme provides the additional 540 Kcal required by children under five, pregnant and lactating mothers,” said World Vision Lanka’s Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Paraman Ramesh.
Nutrition is a critical issue for IDPs who have had little access to nutritious meals. Lactating mothers and children under five are particularly at risk after months of limited access to food of high nutritional value.
Every day, World Vision provides UNIMIX, a high calorie supplementary food and serves porridge to 1,750 children under five and 173 nursing mothers in five camp sites in Pooththoddam, Kovilkulam Hindu College, Sivapirakasa Ladies College, and Pampamadhu, Soodhuwethapulavu School in Vavuniya. Read more ...
Private lorries to ply on A-9 highway
The Kandy-Jaffna A-9 highway will be opened for the first time in several years. Private traders will be permitted to operate their lorries and other convoys to the Northern peninsula from Thursday, a well-informed Government source said.
Up to now only State-owned vehicles were operating services on the A-9 highway transporting food, medicines and other essential items to the North. With this new arrangement, the prices of essential commodities are likely to come down sharply in the North.
There are about 300 private lorries registered with Government authorities to operate services to the North. These lorries will be checked by the security authorities before setting out and a certificate will also be issued. Read more ...
Up to now only State-owned vehicles were operating services on the A-9 highway transporting food, medicines and other essential items to the North. With this new arrangement, the prices of essential commodities are likely to come down sharply in the North.
There are about 300 private lorries registered with Government authorities to operate services to the North. These lorries will be checked by the security authorities before setting out and a certificate will also be issued. Read more ...
Prof. Swaminathan to help revive agriculture in North
The internationally renowned agricultural expert Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, who is also known as the ‘Father of the Indian Green Revolution’ has pledged his fullest co-operation to revamp agricultural activities in the war-torn Northern Province in keeping with the new technologies introduced in several developing countries.
Prof. Swaminathan who was on a visit to Sri Lanka last week met Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare and Jaffna District Parliamentarian Douglas Devananda at the Taj Samudra on Thursday.
Minister Devananda outlined the current socio-economic conditions in the North to Prof. Swaminathan. Read more ...
Prof. Swaminathan who was on a visit to Sri Lanka last week met Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare and Jaffna District Parliamentarian Douglas Devananda at the Taj Samudra on Thursday.
Minister Devananda outlined the current socio-economic conditions in the North to Prof. Swaminathan. Read more ...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Access into Sri Lankan relief camps improves: UN
United Nations humanitarian wing has said that access to camps in Vavuniya housing thousands of civilians displaced by the recently ended conflict in Sri Lanka has improved, though some delays are still being experienced.
In addition, work on an additional camp in the area has begun, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that workers are clearing more areas for future camps. Read more ...
In addition, work on an additional camp in the area has begun, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that workers are clearing more areas for future camps. Read more ...
Lankan troops recover over 1.5 million landmines in North
Sri Lankan troops have so far recovered over 1.5 million landmines from the region captured from the LTTE and have expedited the process of demining the areas to facilitate the early resettlement of displaced civilians in the northern region.
The army has launched massive searches to recover the weapons of LTTE, especially claymore mines and other destructive explosives, in the northern areas.
Top defence sources said they still believe that millions of mines are buried under land in the areas which were held by the LTTE and added that Indian and Danish demining agencies are also involved in the search process besides Sri Lankan army personnel. Read more ...
The army has launched massive searches to recover the weapons of LTTE, especially claymore mines and other destructive explosives, in the northern areas.
Top defence sources said they still believe that millions of mines are buried under land in the areas which were held by the LTTE and added that Indian and Danish demining agencies are also involved in the search process besides Sri Lankan army personnel. Read more ...
Civilian rehabilitation and reconciliation well in progress
"The war against the terrorists is now over, and the Tamil-speaking people should be protected. They should be able to live without fear and mistrust," President Mahinda Rajapaksa said declaring victory. The President well knew that reconciliation and rehabilitation would be his key concerns soon and rightly the subject of the Sri Lanka government from then on.
As promised by the President, around 100 child soldiers have been housed in Ambepussa, a camp for child soldiers. The innocent inhabitants are already learning how to reintegrate and live with their peers making a constructive contribution to the society. "I was forced to join the LTTE at gunpoint. Even my mother and father had been helpless. I haven't seen my parents and other siblings for years," a former child soldier said. Read more ...
As promised by the President, around 100 child soldiers have been housed in Ambepussa, a camp for child soldiers. The innocent inhabitants are already learning how to reintegrate and live with their peers making a constructive contribution to the society. "I was forced to join the LTTE at gunpoint. Even my mother and father had been helpless. I haven't seen my parents and other siblings for years," a former child soldier said. Read more ...
Sri Lanka: Vanni Emergency OCHA Situation Report No. 21
Construction work in Menik Farm zone 5 commenced on 5 June. The Competent Authority (CA) announced on 9 June that an additional site (zone 6) will also be opened shortly.
As of 9 June, over 4,000 people were moved to a new site (Veerapuram) in Vavuniya to help ease congestion. Land clearing is ongoing in the two other new sites in Vavuniya.
On 9 June, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi during an official visit to Sri Lanka, toured IDP sites in Vavuniya. He also met with the Sri Lankan President, senior Government and UN officials. Read more ...
As of 9 June, over 4,000 people were moved to a new site (Veerapuram) in Vavuniya to help ease congestion. Land clearing is ongoing in the two other new sites in Vavuniya.
On 9 June, Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi during an official visit to Sri Lanka, toured IDP sites in Vavuniya. He also met with the Sri Lankan President, senior Government and UN officials. Read more ...
Enhanced water supply to IDP centres
Water Supply Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has directed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) to enhance drinking water supplies to civilians in welfare villages by increasing the number of tube wells and water tanks in the area. The Minister issued this directive when he visited welfare villages in Vavuniya to inspect water supply facilities in them and remedy any shortcomings.
At a meeting with officials it was revealed that the NWS& DB spent Rs. 1 million daily to provide water supplies to welfare villages and maintain the distribution system.
The total expenditure to date on this score is estimated at over Rs. 4,000 million.
The Board has deployed 105 bowsers to distribute water and constructed 142 tube wells. Read more ...
At a meeting with officials it was revealed that the NWS& DB spent Rs. 1 million daily to provide water supplies to welfare villages and maintain the distribution system.
The total expenditure to date on this score is estimated at over Rs. 4,000 million.
The Board has deployed 105 bowsers to distribute water and constructed 142 tube wells. Read more ...
Moves under way to attract foreign investment for N-E: Foreigners eager to invest here - Minister
Information and Media and Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told Parliament yesterday that the Government has prepared blueprints to attract massive foreign investment to develop the Northern and Eastern provinces under the Uthuru Vasanthaya and Negenahira Udanaya programs.
Foreign investors have shown a keen interest to invest in Sri Lanka due to moves taken by the Government to defeat terrorism and achieve lasting peace, he said.
The Minister speaking at the Debate on the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (Amendment) Bill, said the Government through the BoI has made arrangements to create more investment opportunities to the foreign investors who are willing to invest here.
"The Government has also provided an opportunity to invest in the country's education sector as well," Minister Yapa said. Read more ...
Foreign investors have shown a keen interest to invest in Sri Lanka due to moves taken by the Government to defeat terrorism and achieve lasting peace, he said.
The Minister speaking at the Debate on the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (Amendment) Bill, said the Government through the BoI has made arrangements to create more investment opportunities to the foreign investors who are willing to invest here.
"The Government has also provided an opportunity to invest in the country's education sector as well," Minister Yapa said. Read more ...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Sri Lanka private sector, UNHCR pave the way for returning refugees
A United Nations agency is getting private sector support to help re-settle a part of the 660,000 refugees in the country who are starting to return to their former homes, officials said.
Sri Lanka defeated Tamil Tiger separatists in a two and a half year campaign with first the East, then the Northwest and finally the Northeast areas under Tiger control being re-taken.
"In Sri Lanka now we have 660,000 displaced persons," says Amin Awad, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refuges (UNHCR) in Sri Lanka.
"It's a big number of people."
After the most recent fighting, nearly 300,000 people mainly from Kilinocchi and Mullaitivu areas are housed in camps in Vavuniya in the north. In Mannar in the Northwest the government has already started to re-settle people. Read more ...
Sri Lanka defeated Tamil Tiger separatists in a two and a half year campaign with first the East, then the Northwest and finally the Northeast areas under Tiger control being re-taken.
"In Sri Lanka now we have 660,000 displaced persons," says Amin Awad, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refuges (UNHCR) in Sri Lanka.
"It's a big number of people."
After the most recent fighting, nearly 300,000 people mainly from Kilinocchi and Mullaitivu areas are housed in camps in Vavuniya in the north. In Mannar in the Northwest the government has already started to re-settle people. Read more ...
Sri Lanka: Ambassador Gunaratna lauds Myanmar for being a "friend indeed"
While receiving the donation of US$ 50.000 of the Union Government of Myanmar to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Ambassador to Myanmar, Newton Gunaratna said that the friendship between the two nations grows day by day.
The Government Union of Myanmar donated US$ 50,000 to Sri Lanka as humanitarian assistance today (11) which will be utilized for the welfare activities of the IDPs in the North.
The Foreign Minister of Myanmar U Nyan Win handed over the donation to Ambassador Gunaratna.
Ambassador Gunaratna while expressing the gratitude of the Government of Sri Lanka to Myanmar said "physically handing over the donation of $ 50,000 to me at this moment is very timely". Read more ...
The Government Union of Myanmar donated US$ 50,000 to Sri Lanka as humanitarian assistance today (11) which will be utilized for the welfare activities of the IDPs in the North.
The Foreign Minister of Myanmar U Nyan Win handed over the donation to Ambassador Gunaratna.
Ambassador Gunaratna while expressing the gratitude of the Government of Sri Lanka to Myanmar said "physically handing over the donation of $ 50,000 to me at this moment is very timely". Read more ...
End of mission for French field hospital
The French field hospital treating Sri Lanka’s war wounded closed down after caring for nearly 2,500 civilians, a diplomat said yesterday.
The 100-bed hospital in the northern town of Cheddikulam, 90km southwest of the final battle, carried out 250 surgeries before ending its work on Wednesday, French embassy spokesman Hugues Capet said. Read more ...
The 100-bed hospital in the northern town of Cheddikulam, 90km southwest of the final battle, carried out 250 surgeries before ending its work on Wednesday, French embassy spokesman Hugues Capet said. Read more ...
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Indian Medical team starts Phase-II services in Manik Farm Zone-1
The Indian Medical team, based till recently in Pulmoddai, last week relocated its Emergency Medical Unit and Field Hospital to Zone-1 of the IDP settlement in the Manik Farm area.
The team, comprising 8 doctors and 54 running para-medical and technical staff, has already treated over 2,000 patients in Zone-1, which houses over 45,000 IDPs. Most of the services of the hospital, including a self-contained dispensary, laboratory, ultrasound and radio-diagnostic facilities, are fully functional. The hospital has already carried out nearly 70 minor surgical procedures and over 500 laboratory investigations. The hospital is equipped with a fully functional operating theatre and has also started admitting day-care patients. Read more ...
The team, comprising 8 doctors and 54 running para-medical and technical staff, has already treated over 2,000 patients in Zone-1, which houses over 45,000 IDPs. Most of the services of the hospital, including a self-contained dispensary, laboratory, ultrasound and radio-diagnostic facilities, are fully functional. The hospital has already carried out nearly 70 minor surgical procedures and over 500 laboratory investigations. The hospital is equipped with a fully functional operating theatre and has also started admitting day-care patients. Read more ...
Return of Internally Displaced Persons: UNHCR commends Govt's good practices
UN Refugee Agency UNHCR yesterday welcomed Government's good practices in resettling IDPs in Musali Division and pledged its committment to providing support to the Government with future IDP returns in the North and East.
"In the context of return to Musali, the Government has applied good practices in IDP return such as certified mine clearance prior to return, go and see visits, provided transport for returnees and their belongings, and coordinated a return assistance package including food, shelter assistance and essential non-food items.
UNHCR remains committed to providing support to the Government with future IDP returns in Sri Lanka's North and East," said a statement issued by the UNHCR in Colombo. Read more ...
"In the context of return to Musali, the Government has applied good practices in IDP return such as certified mine clearance prior to return, go and see visits, provided transport for returnees and their belongings, and coordinated a return assistance package including food, shelter assistance and essential non-food items.
UNHCR remains committed to providing support to the Government with future IDP returns in Sri Lanka's North and East," said a statement issued by the UNHCR in Colombo. Read more ...
Akashi satisfied over progress at IDP villages
The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that visiting Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi had expressed his satisfaction over the progress he witnessed at the IDP welfare villages in the North, since his last visit to Sri Lanka.
The Ministry in a statement said that Akashi at a discussion with the Foreign Minister and other officials had said that normalizing the living conditions of the IDPs was a daunting task for any country, and in this context, Sri Lanka had been coping with the humanitarian situation with tenacity and sincerity.
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, while acknowledging the existence of shortcomings in the welfare villages and IDP camps, had emphasized that the Government was taking concerted action to improve the facilities and services in these locations.
During discussions he had also pointed out that the welfare villages were under civilian control. Referring to the presence of the military, the Minister had said that their role was to provide security to the camps and to clear and build basic infrastructure to accommodate the displaced persons. Read more ...
The Ministry in a statement said that Akashi at a discussion with the Foreign Minister and other officials had said that normalizing the living conditions of the IDPs was a daunting task for any country, and in this context, Sri Lanka had been coping with the humanitarian situation with tenacity and sincerity.
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, while acknowledging the existence of shortcomings in the welfare villages and IDP camps, had emphasized that the Government was taking concerted action to improve the facilities and services in these locations.
During discussions he had also pointed out that the welfare villages were under civilian control. Referring to the presence of the military, the Minister had said that their role was to provide security to the camps and to clear and build basic infrastructure to accommodate the displaced persons. Read more ...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Christians and Buddhists to rebuild post-war Sri Lanka together
“Christians and Buddhists must work together to promote ahimsa, the doctrine of non-violence, so as to reduce the suffering of all those who have experienced the brutality of war,” said Fr Sarath Iddamalgoda, a priest involved in defending human rights and promoting cooperation among Christians and Buddhists as a way to rebuild the country.
The day Buddhists celebrate Poson, which marks the beginning of Buddhism on the island nation, is “an ideal moment for Buddhists and Christians to reflect upon their shared responsibility towards life in Sri Lanka’s society,” Father Iddamalgoda said.
The clergyman, who heads Sramabimani Kendraya Vihara, an association that promotes meetings and dialogue that focus on the importance of religion and the doctrine of non-violence, has promoted together with other Christians religious leaders an initiative to bear witness and show solidarity to the Buddhist community. Read more ...
The day Buddhists celebrate Poson, which marks the beginning of Buddhism on the island nation, is “an ideal moment for Buddhists and Christians to reflect upon their shared responsibility towards life in Sri Lanka’s society,” Father Iddamalgoda said.
The clergyman, who heads Sramabimani Kendraya Vihara, an association that promotes meetings and dialogue that focus on the importance of religion and the doctrine of non-violence, has promoted together with other Christians religious leaders an initiative to bear witness and show solidarity to the Buddhist community. Read more ...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Assistance for displaced people in Vanni
The All Ceylon Hindu Congress has been assisting the Internally Displaced Persons (“IDPs”) of Vanni.
“Pursuant to the public appeal our people have donated essential items including food items, clothes, milk powder at our collection centres and other Member Associations at Saraswathie Hall, No. 75, Lorensz Road, Colombo 4, Colombo Young Women’s Hindu Association, No. 15, Bagatalle Road, Colombo 03, and Vivekananda Society, No. 34, Vivekananda Hill, Colombo 13.
“A delegation of our Social Welfare Committee was able to take a load of essential items for distribution in the Vanni and distributed directly to the IDPs in camps. They also distributed Holy Ash and prayer books and prayed for them.
There was an urgent appeal for ‘PEDIA SURE’ Milk power which was urgently required for children in Vanni Hospital and camps as they were suffering from malnutrition. Bed sheets, towels and milk powder were distributed to those who are in Vanni Hospitals.
The Congress acknowledged the guidance and assistance given by Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda, and his officers and also the leaders of the Pettah Traders’ Association. Read more ...
“Pursuant to the public appeal our people have donated essential items including food items, clothes, milk powder at our collection centres and other Member Associations at Saraswathie Hall, No. 75, Lorensz Road, Colombo 4, Colombo Young Women’s Hindu Association, No. 15, Bagatalle Road, Colombo 03, and Vivekananda Society, No. 34, Vivekananda Hill, Colombo 13.
“A delegation of our Social Welfare Committee was able to take a load of essential items for distribution in the Vanni and distributed directly to the IDPs in camps. They also distributed Holy Ash and prayer books and prayed for them.
There was an urgent appeal for ‘PEDIA SURE’ Milk power which was urgently required for children in Vanni Hospital and camps as they were suffering from malnutrition. Bed sheets, towels and milk powder were distributed to those who are in Vanni Hospitals.
The Congress acknowledged the guidance and assistance given by Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda, and his officers and also the leaders of the Pettah Traders’ Association. Read more ...
Food aid reached 280,000 people uprooted in post-conflict Sri Lanka – UN
Basic food supplies were distributed to around 280,000 people last month following the end of the conflict between Government forces and rebels in north-east Sri Lanka, the United Nations humanitarian wing announced today.
Over 2,200 megatons of food was dispersed, with supplemental food – particularly a corn soya blend – being delivered to underweight young children, as well as to pregnant and lactating women, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
For its part, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other agencies providing shelter have built 6,500 emergency structures and over 13,000 tents to date, with more being erected as land is cleared.
OCHA reported that water and sanitation has been a huge challenge, but progress is being made, with half of the latrines needed in place and water currently being provided for 75 per cent of overall drinking and bathing needs. Read more ...
Over 2,200 megatons of food was dispersed, with supplemental food – particularly a corn soya blend – being delivered to underweight young children, as well as to pregnant and lactating women, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
For its part, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other agencies providing shelter have built 6,500 emergency structures and over 13,000 tents to date, with more being erected as land is cleared.
OCHA reported that water and sanitation has been a huge challenge, but progress is being made, with half of the latrines needed in place and water currently being provided for 75 per cent of overall drinking and bathing needs. Read more ...
Monday, June 8, 2009
Amid restrictions, MSF field hospital in Sri Lanka provides essential, but limited, surgical and medical care
Though Ministry of Health doctors working in the camps are doing their best to cope with the number of patients, there is a need to provide a round-the-clock service which can identify, treat and refer war wounded patients and medical emergencies to the field hospital as quickly as possible.
An inflatable MSF field hospital is currently the closest referral hospital for the 220,000 displaced people living in Menik Farm camp in northern Sri Lanka. Along with six hospitalisation tents, the hospital is equipped with two operating theatres and an intensive care room. The MSF medical team working in this hospital is currently treating war wounded patients, and patients suffering from pneumonia, other severe respiratory infections and dehydration caused primarily by diarrhoea.
The 100 bed facility received its first patients on Friday, May 22, and its first surgical cases on Tuesday, May 26.
Ambulances come from the five zones of Menik Farm camp bearing some of the displaced people in need of hospitalization. Today, around 70 patients lie on their beds under the white tents in the MSF field hospital, just across the road from Menik Farm. Read more ...
An inflatable MSF field hospital is currently the closest referral hospital for the 220,000 displaced people living in Menik Farm camp in northern Sri Lanka. Along with six hospitalisation tents, the hospital is equipped with two operating theatres and an intensive care room. The MSF medical team working in this hospital is currently treating war wounded patients, and patients suffering from pneumonia, other severe respiratory infections and dehydration caused primarily by diarrhoea.
The 100 bed facility received its first patients on Friday, May 22, and its first surgical cases on Tuesday, May 26.
Ambulances come from the five zones of Menik Farm camp bearing some of the displaced people in need of hospitalization. Today, around 70 patients lie on their beds under the white tents in the MSF field hospital, just across the road from Menik Farm. Read more ...
Mercy in aid of the displaced Tamils
It is a new morning at Manik Farm, Cheddikulam, Sri Lanka. The health post is getting crowded. From as early as 7am, the displaced Tamil patients have begun to make their way there, many of them women and children.
A large bus carrying a load of nurses arrives. They alight in their clean and well-starched uniforms, their blue and white-striped pinafores in stark contrast to the barefooted children, many of whom have not cleaned themselves and most have no shirts on their backs.
The clinic is up and running, thanks to Sri Lankan doctors arranged by the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition.
Many of these doctors are from the south of Sri Lanka and have volunteered to be on the roster.
The Mercy Malaysia team continues to assess the situation at the health post in Zone Three.
The strong winds overnight have sheared off a part of our wall and the zinc sheets flap violently. Read more ...
A large bus carrying a load of nurses arrives. They alight in their clean and well-starched uniforms, their blue and white-striped pinafores in stark contrast to the barefooted children, many of whom have not cleaned themselves and most have no shirts on their backs.
The clinic is up and running, thanks to Sri Lankan doctors arranged by the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition.
Many of these doctors are from the south of Sri Lanka and have volunteered to be on the roster.
The Mercy Malaysia team continues to assess the situation at the health post in Zone Three.
The strong winds overnight have sheared off a part of our wall and the zinc sheets flap violently. Read more ...
SRI LANKA: Will Tamils Have A Say In Reconstruction?
For people in Sri Lanka’s war-torn North, for many years life has meant virtually living out of a suitcase while moving from place to place to escape the rigours of war and bloody combat.
In the late 1980s when government troops were battling Tamil separatist rebels for control of the northern capital of Jaffna, journalists from the Tamil daily newspaper Udayan - who themselves were fleeing the fighting - printed the newspaper, virtually on the run.
"We moved an entire printing press out of Jaffna and published the paper while being among the displaced," said a veteran journalist of the Jaffna newspaper, reflecting on a common problem faced by many northerners during nearly three decades of war.
Weeks after government troops crushed Tamil rebels and their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the government is pushing ahead with a massive reconstruction and rehabilitation effort - prioritising resettling most of the nearly 300,000 civilians who are housed in internally displaced person (IDP) camps in the northern town of Vavuniya. Read more ...
In the late 1980s when government troops were battling Tamil separatist rebels for control of the northern capital of Jaffna, journalists from the Tamil daily newspaper Udayan - who themselves were fleeing the fighting - printed the newspaper, virtually on the run.
"We moved an entire printing press out of Jaffna and published the paper while being among the displaced," said a veteran journalist of the Jaffna newspaper, reflecting on a common problem faced by many northerners during nearly three decades of war.
Weeks after government troops crushed Tamil rebels and their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the government is pushing ahead with a massive reconstruction and rehabilitation effort - prioritising resettling most of the nearly 300,000 civilians who are housed in internally displaced person (IDP) camps in the northern town of Vavuniya. Read more ...
Foreign employment opportunities for Sri Lankan IDPs
The Sri Lanka government is planning to create foreign employment opportunities for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in welfare centres in the North.
Kingsley Ranawaka, chairman of the Foreign Employment Bureau, said they will launch a special programme for this in the near future. Read more ...
Kingsley Ranawaka, chairman of the Foreign Employment Bureau, said they will launch a special programme for this in the near future. Read more ...
Third phase of resettlement of Sri Lanka's North to begin next week
The Sri Lankan government is beginning the third step of its resettlement process in Mannar next week.
The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services and Resettlement says they have scheduled the third step of the resettlement process to begin on June 9 at Silawathura area in Mannar District, where they hope to resettle 2120 displaced persons from 591 families. Read more ...
The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services and Resettlement says they have scheduled the third step of the resettlement process to begin on June 9 at Silawathura area in Mannar District, where they hope to resettle 2120 displaced persons from 591 families. Read more ...
Demining to expedite resettlement of IDPs
To expedite the resettlement of the Northern displaced people, the Army has commenced mopping up operations in the area to search for explosives, weapons and anti personnel mines buried in the North, the Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Risath Bathiudeen said.
Minister Bathiudeen expressed confidence that soon after removing the antipersonnel mines and other dangerous explosives, the IDPs would be resettled in their own habitats.
According to Ministry sources, the Japanese government has given a grant of US $ 1.4 million for demining activities in the North.
"We are progressing well in looking after a massive crowd of IDPs", he said.According to the Ministry sources there are five zones in Vavuniya district where the IDPs are housed in 22 welfare centres. Read more ...
Minister Bathiudeen expressed confidence that soon after removing the antipersonnel mines and other dangerous explosives, the IDPs would be resettled in their own habitats.
According to Ministry sources, the Japanese government has given a grant of US $ 1.4 million for demining activities in the North.
"We are progressing well in looking after a massive crowd of IDPs", he said.According to the Ministry sources there are five zones in Vavuniya district where the IDPs are housed in 22 welfare centres. Read more ...
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Vietnam hails Sri Lanka’s efforts in stablising people’s lives
Vietnam appreciates the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to help civilians, and particularly those displaced by the conflict to return to a normal life.
At the UN Security Council’s interactive informal dialogue on Sri Lanka in
New York on June 5, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam, Ambassador Bui The Giang shared the common concern over challenges that Sri Lanka is facing after the conflict.
“As a nation that has come out from many wars of large scale destruction, we understand the numerous challenges that Sri Lanka - a developing country with limited economic, financial and governance capacity - is now confronting in the aftermath of the prolonged conflict, ranging from humanitarian relief, landmine clearance, resettlement, infrastructure build-up, socio-economic development, to political dialogue and national reconciliation,” Ambassador Giang said. Read more ...
At the UN Security Council’s interactive informal dialogue on Sri Lanka in
New York on June 5, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam, Ambassador Bui The Giang shared the common concern over challenges that Sri Lanka is facing after the conflict.
“As a nation that has come out from many wars of large scale destruction, we understand the numerous challenges that Sri Lanka - a developing country with limited economic, financial and governance capacity - is now confronting in the aftermath of the prolonged conflict, ranging from humanitarian relief, landmine clearance, resettlement, infrastructure build-up, socio-economic development, to political dialogue and national reconciliation,” Ambassador Giang said. Read more ...
Mercy Malaysia's Second Mission For Lanka War Victims
MERCY Malaysia, one of the few medical relief agencies authorised to work in Sri Lanka's camps for war victims, has begun its second mission in the northern region.
Currently, it is working on its second project in Menik Farm in Vavuniya, for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), to set up a medical referral centre in Zone 3 which accomodates 50,000 victims.
MERCY is working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Sri Lanka's Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition to establish 16 bedded referral centres, complete with outpatient and in-patient facilities which include an outpatient room, pharmacy, medical screening counter, emergency room, wards and doctors' quarters. Read more ...
Currently, it is working on its second project in Menik Farm in Vavuniya, for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), to set up a medical referral centre in Zone 3 which accomodates 50,000 victims.
MERCY is working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Sri Lanka's Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition to establish 16 bedded referral centres, complete with outpatient and in-patient facilities which include an outpatient room, pharmacy, medical screening counter, emergency room, wards and doctors' quarters. Read more ...
IDP children's education continues uninterrupted
Text and story books worth over Rs. 137 million have been sent to Menik Farm and other IDP welfare centers to be distributed among war displaced children. "This was the first stock of books scheduled to be distributed among the displaced children," Education Ministry official said.
Even though displaced, the Ministry is of the view that education must continue unhindered as children may get disoriented without schooling. "So the government has decided to provide necessary material to the school children and teaching staff of the region to continue academic activities," he further said.
Under the programme, 500 tables and chairs for teachers, 5,000 tables and chairs for students, school uniforms and clothes as well as a stock of text books for the students will be distributed in Vavuniya, Education Ministry said. (SJ) Source:
Even though displaced, the Ministry is of the view that education must continue unhindered as children may get disoriented without schooling. "So the government has decided to provide necessary material to the school children and teaching staff of the region to continue academic activities," he further said.
Under the programme, 500 tables and chairs for teachers, 5,000 tables and chairs for students, school uniforms and clothes as well as a stock of text books for the students will be distributed in Vavuniya, Education Ministry said. (SJ) Source:
Saturday, June 6, 2009
UNIDO to assist NE agri projects
The United Nations Industries Development Organizations (UNIDO) is looking at possibilities to launch a series of development projects in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces targeting the agriculture sector.
UNIDO has launched a sustainable livelihood program for farmers in the Eastern Province to improve the living conditions of the farmer community.
They are in the process of pumping Rs. 150 million worth funds for various agriculture projects with the assistance of several foreign donor funding agencies, its National Director Nawaz Rajabdeen said.
One of the main ongoing projects they have undertaken is the distribution of post harvest agriculture machinery for farmers in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts at a cost of Rs. 30 million. Phase one of the project has just completed while phase two has been launched with Japanese aid benefiting farmers in these two districts, he said. Read more ...
UNIDO has launched a sustainable livelihood program for farmers in the Eastern Province to improve the living conditions of the farmer community.
They are in the process of pumping Rs. 150 million worth funds for various agriculture projects with the assistance of several foreign donor funding agencies, its National Director Nawaz Rajabdeen said.
One of the main ongoing projects they have undertaken is the distribution of post harvest agriculture machinery for farmers in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts at a cost of Rs. 30 million. Phase one of the project has just completed while phase two has been launched with Japanese aid benefiting farmers in these two districts, he said. Read more ...
Teenage pregnancy high among IDPs
There are 3,100 pregnant women in welfare villages set up for the IDPs and 60 percent of them are between the age of 16 and 17.
Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has taken action to provide them special care, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.
He said that 2,900 pregnant women have already been directed to clinics and given required nutrition, medications and care. The Ministry has also made arrangements to set up a special blood bank to provide blood for these pregnant women when required. Read more ...
Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has taken action to provide them special care, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.
He said that 2,900 pregnant women have already been directed to clinics and given required nutrition, medications and care. The Ministry has also made arrangements to set up a special blood bank to provide blood for these pregnant women when required. Read more ...
Britain to assist in NE reconstruction
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who is currently visiting the UK for bilateral consultations, met with wide ranging political personalities on Thursday. Minister Bogallagama met with William Hague, MP, and Shadow Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Conservative).
At the outset of the meeting, the Foreign Minister provided a detailed account on the final days of the LTTE. Hague stated that the defeat of the LTTE by military means has now provided enormous opportunities to Sri Lanka to bring the communities together on a sound foundation.
Minister Bogollagama said successive Governments had made efforts to engage the LTTE and to bring the organisation into the democratic process.
He said the LTTE’s defeat has provided opportunities to embark upon the political and economic empowerment of the people in the North and East. Read more ...
At the outset of the meeting, the Foreign Minister provided a detailed account on the final days of the LTTE. Hague stated that the defeat of the LTTE by military means has now provided enormous opportunities to Sri Lanka to bring the communities together on a sound foundation.
Minister Bogollagama said successive Governments had made efforts to engage the LTTE and to bring the organisation into the democratic process.
He said the LTTE’s defeat has provided opportunities to embark upon the political and economic empowerment of the people in the North and East. Read more ...
Nearly 176,000 mines removed
Nearly 176,000 anti-personnel mines buried by the LTTE had so far been detected and removed between 2002 and March 31, 2009, Senior Advisor to the Nation Building Ministry M. S. Jayasinghe said.
Several international groups along with the Sri Lanka Army were engaged in the demining but most of the mines were removed by the Sri Lanka Army, he said. Read more ...
Several international groups along with the Sri Lanka Army were engaged in the demining but most of the mines were removed by the Sri Lanka Army, he said. Read more ...
Problems affecting medics at IDP camps identified
Several shortcomings affecting the medical staff of the welfare camps in Vavuniya, where nearly 300,000 internally displaced persons are housed, were discussed and identified at a high level conference, presided by Minister Nimal Siriapala de Silva at the Health Ministry on Thursday.
Housing facilities were identified as the main among the shortcomings doctors and other allied medical staff faced serving the IDPs. It was revealed that a housing complex was already being built in Chettikulam for the medical staff. 48 doctors and 50 nurses could be accommodated in this complex expected to be completed within the next two weeks. Two similar housing complexes are also under construction closer to the IDP camps and the construction of these two housing complexes are expected to be completed within the next four to five weeks. Read more ...
Housing facilities were identified as the main among the shortcomings doctors and other allied medical staff faced serving the IDPs. It was revealed that a housing complex was already being built in Chettikulam for the medical staff. 48 doctors and 50 nurses could be accommodated in this complex expected to be completed within the next two weeks. Two similar housing complexes are also under construction closer to the IDP camps and the construction of these two housing complexes are expected to be completed within the next four to five weeks. Read more ...
'Yal Devi' resumes journey to Thandikulam
The Yal Devi train which was suspended beyond Vavuniya for the past 20 years due to the war began its journey to Thandikulam in the north from Colombo early this morning. Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma was the chief guest at the launch ceremony. More ...
Sri Lanka: Vanni Emergency OCHA Situation Report No. 20
Three new sites in Vavuniya have been identified by the Competent Authority (CA) to ease congestion and move IDPs from school sites in the district. Land clearing has started.
280,580 persons crossed to the Government controlled areas from the conflict zone. This represents an increase of 3,194 IDPs since the last report (Sitrep No.19) on 30 May 2009. The increase is mainly due to improved, systematic registration being undertaken in the camps. Read more ...
280,580 persons crossed to the Government controlled areas from the conflict zone. This represents an increase of 3,194 IDPs since the last report (Sitrep No.19) on 30 May 2009. The increase is mainly due to improved, systematic registration being undertaken in the camps. Read more ...
WFP in Sri Lanka: "Easier to reach the hungry"
In recent days, it has become easier for WFP staff to monitor food distributions in the government-run camps housing people displaced by the last wave of fighting in Sri Lanka. Our country director, Adnan Khan, explains that WFP is now feeding 290,000 people in the camps.
The final stages of the long conflict between Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE Tamil Tiger rebel movement saw thousands of families flee their homes in the conflict-affected northern region. Most of these displaced people (IDPs) are now in temporary transit camps set up by the government. They are dependent on humanitarian aid.
As well as providing food for 290,000 people in the camps, WFP has also scaled up the delivery of fortified food to children and mothers to keep malnutrition at bay. Read more ...
The final stages of the long conflict between Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE Tamil Tiger rebel movement saw thousands of families flee their homes in the conflict-affected northern region. Most of these displaced people (IDPs) are now in temporary transit camps set up by the government. They are dependent on humanitarian aid.
As well as providing food for 290,000 people in the camps, WFP has also scaled up the delivery of fortified food to children and mothers to keep malnutrition at bay. Read more ...
Sri Lanka to speed up power supply to North
Due to the urgency of the development in the Northern region, Sri Lanka has decided to bypass the normal competitive bidding process and approve the recommendations by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for the expansion of the Vauniya grid substation.
The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposa submitted by the Minister of Power and Energy W.D.J. Seneviratne to implement a fast plan of action. Read more ...
The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposa submitted by the Minister of Power and Energy W.D.J. Seneviratne to implement a fast plan of action. Read more ...
Indian mobile hospital moved to Chettikulam
The make shift hospital donated by the Government of India with a team of Indian medical staff has been shifted from Pulmudai to Chettikulam in order to provide a better medical service to the civilians who are temporarily housed in the relief villages, our correspondent from Vavuniya, Upul Chaminda reports.
The functions of the mobile hospital are being carried out with the full strength of the Indian Medical staff deployed here. The Government of India has also donated large volumes of medicine with the hospital to Sri Lanka. Read more ...
The functions of the mobile hospital are being carried out with the full strength of the Indian Medical staff deployed here. The Government of India has also donated large volumes of medicine with the hospital to Sri Lanka. Read more ...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Hayleys continues relief effort for IDPs in the north
Employees of the Hayleys Group are voluntarily donating a day’s salary towards the needs of the internally displaced in northern Sri Lanka, and their companies will double the funds thus raised, as a continuation of the initiatives begun more than a month ago to help the IDPs.
In a speedy response to the humanitarian needs of thousands who fled the fighting in the north and east, Hayleys launched its relief effort on April 25th to provide drinking water, sanitation facilities, food and clothing to the IDPs. The Group initially deployed containers, flexi-tanks and water pumps, which supplied the camps with 150,000 litres of water a day for a week. It has to date donated plastic storage tanks of 2000 litres each, materials for the construction of 100 temporary toilets, plastic barrels of 220 litre capacity, 50,000 pairs of examination gloves, 20,000 pairs of household gloves and bed sheets, as well as food, clothing and cleaning implements, a spokesman said. Read more ...
In a speedy response to the humanitarian needs of thousands who fled the fighting in the north and east, Hayleys launched its relief effort on April 25th to provide drinking water, sanitation facilities, food and clothing to the IDPs. The Group initially deployed containers, flexi-tanks and water pumps, which supplied the camps with 150,000 litres of water a day for a week. It has to date donated plastic storage tanks of 2000 litres each, materials for the construction of 100 temporary toilets, plastic barrels of 220 litre capacity, 50,000 pairs of examination gloves, 20,000 pairs of household gloves and bed sheets, as well as food, clothing and cleaning implements, a spokesman said. Read more ...
Caritas aid getting through in Sri Lanka
Caritas is supporting 48,000 people who had been forced from their homes in Sri Lanka during fighting in the north of the country.
With the end of hostilities, Caritas Sri Lanka is able to provide food and other food items as well as counselling and medical support.
Conditions in the camps for the 280,000 people displaced by the conflict remain basic, with special concerns over poor sanitation and access to clean drinking water.
Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant mothers and children are a major concern.
Between the 24 and 27 May, 14 people over the age of 70 died in camps in one area, primarily due to lack of care and extreme heat. Latest reports indicate that releasing elders is to begin on 5 June. More than 2,500 applications have been approved. Read more ...
With the end of hostilities, Caritas Sri Lanka is able to provide food and other food items as well as counselling and medical support.
Conditions in the camps for the 280,000 people displaced by the conflict remain basic, with special concerns over poor sanitation and access to clean drinking water.
Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant mothers and children are a major concern.
Between the 24 and 27 May, 14 people over the age of 70 died in camps in one area, primarily due to lack of care and extreme heat. Latest reports indicate that releasing elders is to begin on 5 June. More than 2,500 applications have been approved. Read more ...
Sri Lanka – Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #11 (FY 2009)
During the week of June 1, a USAID/OFDA implementing partner reported that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) is establishing 20 additional internally displaced person (IDP) camps separate from the Manik Farms site in Vavuniya District. The new, smaller-scale sites are expected to accommodate 2,000 persons each for a total of 40,000 IDPs.
On May 29, international media reported that the GoSL had not yet permitted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to access the former conflict zone in northeastern Sri Lanka. The media also noted that ICRC, U.N. agencies, and other humanitarian organizations continued to face obstacles in accessing IDP camps, including Manik Farms.
On May 29, the U.N. held a press briefing in Sri Lanka on needs, achievements, gaps, and challenges in responding to recent population displacement in Sri Lanka. While the humanitarian community has met some needs, gaps remain in the provision of shelter, protection services, nutrition programs, education, agriculture programs, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions. Read more ...
Hayleys Limited
On May 29, international media reported that the GoSL had not yet permitted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to access the former conflict zone in northeastern Sri Lanka. The media also noted that ICRC, U.N. agencies, and other humanitarian organizations continued to face obstacles in accessing IDP camps, including Manik Farms.
On May 29, the U.N. held a press briefing in Sri Lanka on needs, achievements, gaps, and challenges in responding to recent population displacement in Sri Lanka. While the humanitarian community has met some needs, gaps remain in the provision of shelter, protection services, nutrition programs, education, agriculture programs, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions. Read more ...
Hayleys Limited
Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects: US$ 1.4 million grant contracts on humanitarian demining activities in the north sign
Two Grant Contracts for Humanitarian Demining Activities in the North were signed between Mr. Kunio Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan and the representatives of DDG (Danish Demining Group) and the HALO Trust in the presence of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Senior Presidential Advisor and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Northern Development on 4th June, 2009 at the Presidential Secretariat.
Through these contracts under the scheme of "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)", the Government of Japan will extend grant aid totaling US$ 1.4 million (approximately Rs. 160 million) to DDG and the HALO Trust (approximately Rs. 80 million each) for humanitarian demining activities in the North. Through this grant Japan extends its cooperation to the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to accelerate humanitarian demining activity for the early return and resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Read more ...
Through these contracts under the scheme of "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)", the Government of Japan will extend grant aid totaling US$ 1.4 million (approximately Rs. 160 million) to DDG and the HALO Trust (approximately Rs. 80 million each) for humanitarian demining activities in the North. Through this grant Japan extends its cooperation to the efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka to accelerate humanitarian demining activity for the early return and resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Read more ...
Post-operative care for the war wounded in Sri lanka
18 year old Ramachandra was wounded on 8th January and underwent amputations at a hospital in the Vanni. She was evacuated by ICRC ambulance to the main hospital in Vavuniya eight days later. The young woman is missing her left hand, left leg and half of her right foot. Without post operative care and physiotherapy she could remain bedridden for the rest of her life.
Ramachandra is currently hospitalized in the Pompaimadhu Ayurvedic Hospital close to Vavuniya. Unlike other hospitals in the area, which have been flooded with patients, the Pompaimadhu Hospital appears a haven. No wounded patients lie on mats on the floor and there are no ambulance traffic jams at the hospital entrance. Lots of wheel chairs and crutches donated by Handicap International are placed alongside the beds. At least 30 patients in the hospital have one or more amputations, whilst another twenty-five people are paralyzed. Up to 200 patients receive post operative care here that can include small surgery and physiotherapy. Read more ...
Ramachandra is currently hospitalized in the Pompaimadhu Ayurvedic Hospital close to Vavuniya. Unlike other hospitals in the area, which have been flooded with patients, the Pompaimadhu Hospital appears a haven. No wounded patients lie on mats on the floor and there are no ambulance traffic jams at the hospital entrance. Lots of wheel chairs and crutches donated by Handicap International are placed alongside the beds. At least 30 patients in the hospital have one or more amputations, whilst another twenty-five people are paralyzed. Up to 200 patients receive post operative care here that can include small surgery and physiotherapy. Read more ...
Sri Lankan state bank helps channel cash to refugees
Sri Lanka's state-run Bank of Ceylon is providing banking services for refugees in several camps in the north of the island to get financial help from their relatives, a top official said.
Nearly 300,000 people held as a human shield by the Tamil Tigers before they were defeated last month are now held in tightly guarded camps while authorities are screening them for members of the separatist group.
"Most of these people have someone abroad and now we have found that a lot of foreign remittances are coming in," Bank of Ceylon chairman Gamini Wickramasinghe said.
"Bank of Ceylon accounts for half of the foreign remittances wired to Sri Lanka."
In 2008 Sri Lanka received nearly three billion dollars mainly from expatriate workers in the Middle East and Italy.
But many members of the Tamil community who have left the country for permanent residence in Europe and North America also send money to relatives at home. Read more ...
Nearly 300,000 people held as a human shield by the Tamil Tigers before they were defeated last month are now held in tightly guarded camps while authorities are screening them for members of the separatist group.
"Most of these people have someone abroad and now we have found that a lot of foreign remittances are coming in," Bank of Ceylon chairman Gamini Wickramasinghe said.
"Bank of Ceylon accounts for half of the foreign remittances wired to Sri Lanka."
In 2008 Sri Lanka received nearly three billion dollars mainly from expatriate workers in the Middle East and Italy.
But many members of the Tamil community who have left the country for permanent residence in Europe and North America also send money to relatives at home. Read more ...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
SOS Children granted access to Sri Lankan IDP camps
SOS Children has become the first child care organisation to be granted access to internally displaced people (IDP) camps in north Sri Lanka by army personnel.
The news comes after national director Ananda Karunarathne and deputy national director Divakar Ratnadurai were permitted to visit the town of Vavuniya.
According to the charity, it has been given a ten-acre plot of land in order to construct temporary care shelters in conjunction with the Sri Lankan central engineering consultancy bureau. Read more ...
The news comes after national director Ananda Karunarathne and deputy national director Divakar Ratnadurai were permitted to visit the town of Vavuniya.
According to the charity, it has been given a ten-acre plot of land in order to construct temporary care shelters in conjunction with the Sri Lankan central engineering consultancy bureau. Read more ...
U.N. agency says access to refugees better
Access to the thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil civilians displaced by the civil war is improving but remains limited, the U.N. refugee agency said.
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva says about 300,000 people, forced out of their homes in the concluding days of the Sri Lankan military offensive against the Tamil Tiger rebels, are now housed in 40 emergency shelter sites in the country's northern regions of Vavuniya, Jaffna and Trincomalee, the Voice of America reported.
The refugee agency said more access is needed to provide emergency help to these people it said are living in dire conditions in cramped camps. Read more ...
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva says about 300,000 people, forced out of their homes in the concluding days of the Sri Lankan military offensive against the Tamil Tiger rebels, are now housed in 40 emergency shelter sites in the country's northern regions of Vavuniya, Jaffna and Trincomalee, the Voice of America reported.
The refugee agency said more access is needed to provide emergency help to these people it said are living in dire conditions in cramped camps. Read more ...
Vavuniya district, Sri Lanka: Treating the wounded and medical emergencies remains a priority
Over the last few weeks, while tens of thousands of people have emerged from the Vanni, the former conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, MSF teams have been working alongside Sri Lankan Ministry of Health staff providing surgical and medical care to people who were caught up in the fighting. The situation remains extremely worrying inside the hospitals and among the 269,000 displaced people in Vavuniya District.
More than 500 wounded patients are receiving daily medical care in the three hospitals where MSF teams are working together with the Ministry of Health staff. Read more ...
More than 500 wounded patients are receiving daily medical care in the three hospitals where MSF teams are working together with the Ministry of Health staff. Read more ...
UNHCR working with Sri Lanka to provide relief to displaced
The UN refugee agency is working "closely" with the Sri Lankan government to enable the displaced Tamil civilians, uprooted due to just concluded conflict between the LTTE and the Army, to return to their homes.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners are also working to improve conditions in the camps and stabilising the lives of the displaced people.
Last month, the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting. Read more ...
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners are also working to improve conditions in the camps and stabilising the lives of the displaced people.
Last month, the Government declared that its military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was over, ending more than two decades of fighting. Read more ...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Lanka rejects allegations, says resettlement prog on track
Brushing aside the "adverse propaganda" about condition of Tamil civilians in refugee camps, Sri Lankan government said on Tuesday that it was "fast progressing" with the rehabilitation efforts for the displaced people in the north.
"Amid allegations and adverse propaganda, Sri Lankan government is fast progressing with the resettlement of the displaced civilians," an official statement said.
"Consequently, the government announced a wide range of programmes in which it hopes to improve welfare facilities at camps (in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna) where an estimated 300,000 civilian refugees are being housed," it said. Read more ...
"Amid allegations and adverse propaganda, Sri Lankan government is fast progressing with the resettlement of the displaced civilians," an official statement said.
"Consequently, the government announced a wide range of programmes in which it hopes to improve welfare facilities at camps (in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna) where an estimated 300,000 civilian refugees are being housed," it said. Read more ...
Working in Sri Lanka's camps calls for creative thinking
An aid worker from Muslim Aid sees life as most Sri Lankan aid workers are used to.
These days, it's a question of survival of the most creative. In response to the challenges we face working in camps for internal refugees in Sri Lanka's north, we have to be innovative to overcome operational obstacles. And there are many!
Take, for example, the recent news of the end of the war and the death of the Tamil Tiger rebel leader, which brought euphoria to the streets of Colombo and some other parts of the country. For us, it meant a total shutdown of access to the camps. Initially, the authorities slapped a ban on vehicles entering the camps, largely it seems as a security measure.
There's still some uncertainty as to whether rebels are mingling with civilians in the camps, and the authorities are putting in place a screening and registering procedure to determine that. But as a result of the ban on vehicles, our access was limited and most aid agencies were kicking up a fuss as usual. Some even said publicly that they would withdraw from the camps.
These days, it's a question of survival of the most creative. In response to the challenges we face working in camps for internal refugees in Sri Lanka's north, we have to be innovative to overcome operational obstacles. And there are many!
Take, for example, the recent news of the end of the war and the death of the Tamil Tiger rebel leader, which brought euphoria to the streets of Colombo and some other parts of the country. For us, it meant a total shutdown of access to the camps. Initially, the authorities slapped a ban on vehicles entering the camps, largely it seems as a security measure.
There's still some uncertainty as to whether rebels are mingling with civilians in the camps, and the authorities are putting in place a screening and registering procedure to determine that. But as a result of the ban on vehicles, our access was limited and most aid agencies were kicking up a fuss as usual. Some even said publicly that they would withdraw from the camps.
Sri Lanka displacement update
With fighting now at an end in Sri Lanka's north, UNHCR is working with the government of Sri Lanka and other humanitarian agencies to provide urgently needed aid to hundreds of thousands who fled the former conflict zone in the last several months.
Some 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) are accommodated in the 40 emergency shelter sites spread across the districts of Vavuniya, Jaffna and Trincomalee. UNHCR and partners are carrying out emergency shelter work, regular non-food distributions and protection monitoring.
UNHCR and shelter agencies have erected some 8,800 emergency shelters and more than 14,000 tents so far and will continue to set up more as land clearance continues. This year alone, we have distributed some 66,000 bed sheets, 73,000 plastic mats, 31,000 kitchen sets, tens of thousands of hygiene kits and hundreds of thousands of men's and women's clothing and other items. UNHCR is transporting additional aid from Colombo to replenish stocks in the areas concerned. Read more ...
Some 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) are accommodated in the 40 emergency shelter sites spread across the districts of Vavuniya, Jaffna and Trincomalee. UNHCR and partners are carrying out emergency shelter work, regular non-food distributions and protection monitoring.
UNHCR and shelter agencies have erected some 8,800 emergency shelters and more than 14,000 tents so far and will continue to set up more as land clearance continues. This year alone, we have distributed some 66,000 bed sheets, 73,000 plastic mats, 31,000 kitchen sets, tens of thousands of hygiene kits and hundreds of thousands of men's and women's clothing and other items. UNHCR is transporting additional aid from Colombo to replenish stocks in the areas concerned. Read more ...
UNICEF supports Sri Lanka's child friendly primary schools
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education, in partnership with UNICEF, today launched the 'Child Friendly Schools' concept as the official framework to address disparities in quality and access in primary schools in Sri Lanka.
In a presentation to national, provincial and zonal education authorities, along with other key partners, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education outlined an approach which seeks to improve the quality of education and schools for students, teachers and communities by mainstreaming Child Friendly Schools as the national framework to primary education. As well as the training of principals, teachers, students and their communities, the CFS approach includes school development.
The CFS approach is already operating in more than 1400 primary schools in Sri Lanka. This framework seeks to take it to 10,000 primary schools in Sri Lanka. Child Friendly Schools focus on the development of the individual child, ensuring that all children achieve the accepted standards of learning for primary education. Read more ...
In a presentation to national, provincial and zonal education authorities, along with other key partners, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education outlined an approach which seeks to improve the quality of education and schools for students, teachers and communities by mainstreaming Child Friendly Schools as the national framework to primary education. As well as the training of principals, teachers, students and their communities, the CFS approach includes school development.
The CFS approach is already operating in more than 1400 primary schools in Sri Lanka. This framework seeks to take it to 10,000 primary schools in Sri Lanka. Child Friendly Schools focus on the development of the individual child, ensuring that all children achieve the accepted standards of learning for primary education. Read more ...
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