Joint Humanitarian Update NORTH EAST | SRI LANKA

JAFFNA, KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, MANNAR, VAVUNIYA, TRINCOMALEE and BATTICALOA DISTRICTS Report #5 | 28 March – 30 April 2009

IDP situation as reported this week by GAs Displacement after April 2006 Location Number of Families Number of Individuals Jaffna 21,526 displaced before Dec 2005 73,361 displaced before Dec 2005 5,873 displaced after Jan 2006 19,864 displaced after Jan 2006 Kilinochchi - - Mullaitivu - - Vavuniya - 180,570 Mannar 2,908 9,046 Trincomalee 1,124* 3,769* Batticaloa 1,819 6,884 Ampara 1,028 3,732

*Excluding patients from Mullaitivu at Hospitals in Trincomalee District

JAFFNA DISTRICT

Situation update • The security situation remained calm across Jaffna District. The SLA continues to conduct cordon and search operations and performs random checks. The daily curfew remains in place from 2100 - 0430 hours though it was relaxed on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s day and on Good Friday. • Jaffna experiences unannounced power cuts during the day time, the usual power cut in the evenings and the mobile telephone coverage continues to be unreliable. • On 24 April, the UN Humanitarian/ Resident Coordinator (RC/HC) Neil Buhne visited Jaffna and met government officials and UN /INGO staff. After visiting IDP camps housing Vanni IDPs in Jaffna, the RC/HC noted in general that most IDP sites in the District are better than Vavuniya though over crowding of temporary sites (schools), lack of drinking and bathing water at certain sites remain key challenges. • Jaffna schools had planned to restart on 21 April after first term school vacation, but due to the sudden influx of IDPs during 19-22 April four schools have been used to accommodate the new arrivals by government authorities on a temporary basis so the school vacation was extended until 27 April. However, students who were previously attending the four schools that are now being used as temporary Vanni IDP accommodation sites face difficulties in continuing their education due to lack of spaces etc at the other schools they have temporarily joined. • The 3rd food convoy via the A9 road reached Jaffna.

Displacement/Returns • As of 27 April, a total of 11,156 persons who fled the Vanni combat zone had arrived in Jaffna. Six-thousand Vanni IPDs are now accommodated in eight IDP sites (Kopay Teachers’ Training College, Old Court House Jaffna, Mirusuvil RCTMS Church, Kodikamam GTMS School, Kaithady Hindu Children Home, Kaithady University Hostel and Kaithady Palmyra Research Institute (site A and B). The rest of the IDPs (5,000 persons) who arrived last are currently residing in four schools ((Kodikamam Thirunavukarasu MV, Chava Hindu College, Chava Hindu Ladies College, and Nelliyadi Central College) on a temporary basis. • Only twenty-six Vanni IDPs, including the elderly, have been released so far, and they have been reunited with relatives or admitted to state-owned homes for the aged. Out of the Vanni IDP influx, 76 ex-combatants have so far been transferred to the Thellipalai rehabilitation centre in the district. • Nearly 5,000 Vanni IDPs arrived in Jaffna by boat, a sudden emergency, and all I/NGOs were granted access to the IDP sites at the time to provide initial assistance to this caseload. • The military has agreed to allow relatives from outside the camp to visit IDPs at the original eight IDP sites on certain days of the week. • Government authorizes have newly identified a former military camp site to accommodate the IDPs currently staying at the four schools sites. Danish De-mining Group (DDG) has been conducting Battle Area Clearance (BAC) activities inside the camp and surrounding areas by re-directing the bulk of its resources to have the site ready at the earliest. The site has the capacity to accommodate 1,200 temporary shelters and already has some building and WASH structures.

Sector Developments/Gaps Shelter • On 23 April, the shelter coordination meeting was held at UNHCR and many agencies are ready to build emergency shelters at the newly identified site in Kodikamam on the completion of de-mining activities. Shelter agencies have funds to build 2,500 emergency shelters and have material at hand to construct 600 shelters. Agencies have discussed the possibility of arranging a humanitarian convoy to bring in shelter material along the A9 road in coordination with the Jaffna GA.

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• IOM implementing partners CARITAS and TRRO have built 116 individual shelters at the Palmyra Research Institute (PRI) Site B and 600 IDPs from Chava Hindu College now occupy the shelters. Community buildings including a community kitchen, pre-school and administration unit for the site have been constructed by LEADS. 134 shelters were constructed on Site A of the Palmyra Research Institute (PRI) Camp. • UNHCR/JSAC is building visitors’ huts at all transitional IDP sites as requested by authorities. • Shelter agencies in the District benefitted from the guidance of a NRC site planner seconded to UNHCR. The site planner assisted in the assessment of existing camps and helped with the development of plans for new camps and also conducted a half-day refresher training on shelter standards.

NFRI • UNHCR, UNICEF, ZOA, and ICRC continue to provide NFRI and hygiene kits to newly arrived IDPs. • On 22 April, the NFRI cluster coordination meeting was held at UNHCR and as per the cluster stock count report agencies have stocks in hand to address needs of 15,000 IDPs in addition to the newly arrived 5,000 IDPs. Further stocks are expected from Colombo in the next few weeks. Hygiene kits are ready for distribution but will need to be replenished as they are distributed to IDPs every month. Christian Aid, SCiSL, LEADS and other local NGOs have provided relief items including clothes to the new arrivals but more clothes and undergarments are still needed.

Food • CARITAS continues to provide complementary food items (fish, vegetables and species) to all emergency IDP sites on a daily basis and dry rations are provided by WFP. Community cooking has started at all eight emergency IDP sites and is provided at all temporary sites (four schools) by the Government. • On 30 April WFP dispatched 171.29 MT of mixed food commodities to 11,156 Vanni IDPs of the 12 Vanni IDP sites in Jaffna and LEADS had provided community cooking utilities to all four transit sites (Schools) in Chava (three sites) and Karaveddy. IDPs in transit sites will start community cooking in May as CARITAS agreed to provide complementary food items to these new sites. • A shipment of 600 MT of WFP mixed-food commodities arrived in Jaffna. • 100 MT of Corn Soya Blend was dispatched under the Mother and Child Nutrition Programme for the month of April to be used by children under five years, and pregnant and nursing mothers.

Nutrition • UNICEF continues to support the RDHS to identify and treat severely undernourished children with ready to eat therapeutic food. All moderately undernourished children are provided with supplementary food. All children under 5 years of age, all antenatal and breastfeeding women are provided with CSB by WFP through the RDHS. • A Nutrition and Food Security Survey was conducted by the Medical Research Institute through the RDHS and supported by WFP and UNICEF. The purpose of the survey was to identify the most vulnerable population groups affected by food price increases, understanding coping mechanisms in vulnerable groups, and to determine the health and nutrition status of children and pregnant women. The assessment results will be shared with relevant government departments and humanitarian actors in the District once it is released by the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition.

WASH • The PRI site A and B have been provided with necessary WASH facilities by UNICEF/SEWALANKA. • The National Water Supply & Drainage Board have checked the salinity of the ground water in PRI site A and B, and advised that it’s not suitable for either drinking or bathing. Given the circumstance, the GA has promised the agencies to supply necessary water to the camps through a pipeline from Navatkully and asked agencies to build emergency shelters. The pipeline is being laid by the government but is taking longer than expected to finish. Currently IDPs accommodated in both sites are using drinking water for bathing and this has reduced the availability of water for drinking in the camps. The lack of sufficient water browsers in the District is also a constraint. • On average, 11 liters of drinking water per person per day is available at the IDP camps, while the total water storage capacity is 129,000 liters. • UNICEF/Sewalanka and ICRC have provided additional emergency WASH facilities to all new temporary sites (Schools). • Currently, a total of 280 toilets are available for the Vanni IDPs in Jaffna; one toilet for 41 IDPs. • A drainage problem still exists in many of the IDP sites due to over-crowding.

Education • Authorities agreed to put up Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) outside the camps for displaced students residing in Mirusuvil and Kaithady transitional sites. Around 1,000 students will benefit from these TLS. • An Education coordination meeting was held to coordinate sector intervention and ensure agencies commit to establish new TLS and fulfil basic needs of children for them to start school. UNICEF and SCiSL committed to fund the TLS in Mirusuvil and Kaithady respectively, and UNICEF will provide all WASH facilities as well as provide stationery items to the displaced children. School uniform material will be provided by the Zonal Director of Education and Jesuit Relief Services (JRS) will bear the cost of tailoring. CARITAS, JRS, and SCISL agreed to provide socks, shoes and school bags.

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• UNICEF and ZOA have started catch-up education classes for displaced children in Kopay and Kodikamam and UNICEF/JSAC will soon start after-school recreational activities for the children as is done at the other schools accommodating IDPs Jaffna. • The SCiSL has provided necessary furniture, material, ECCD kits, and pre-school teacher kits to the Kaithady PRI site “A” pre-school.

Health • There have been no major outbreaks of communicable disease in camps however cases of chicken pox, respiratory illness and fevers persist. Daily mobile clinics are provided by RDHS. Other agencies such as MSF, ADT and Sri Lanka Red Cross are also assisting with medical care in camps.

Livelihoods • On 28 April, an initial meeting was held at the GA’s office to plan official resettlement within the High Security Zone buffer zone. During the meeting the Government Agent requested the support of all concerned authorities and agencies to ensure a speedy resettlement process and support families who have already returned spontaneously. The government initially plans to assist 150 families, who had returned on their own accord to the 300 meter southern buffer zone area (108 families to Suthanthapuram, 20 families to Vithakapuram and 22 families to Llavalai North) in Thellipalai DS division. UNDP conducted an initial assessment and has drafted tentative plans to support permanent shelters, access roads, livelihood and social mobilization for these spontaneously returned families. • UNDP / DS Thellipalai are currently conducting an assessment to draft a comprehensive early recovery plan for resettlement within the 300 meter southern buffer zone, which includes 12 villages.

KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITIVU DISTRICTS

Situation update • Reports from the combat zone suggest continuous fighting and utilization of heavy weapons. • The population in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. • On 01 April 1064.69 MT of WFP mixed food commodities (rice, wheat flour, sugar, lentils, oil, Corn Soya Blend), 35 MT of Government provided vegetables and 48 MT of UNHCR NFRIs (1,000 emergency shelter kits, 2,000 bed sheets, 1,000 hygiene kits, 2,000 plastic mats and 2,000 sarongs) left from Trincomalee to Mullaitivu by ship. Offloading was completed by 05 April. • Lack of most basic assistance (i.e. drinking water, sanitation facilities, medicines) remains problematic and a major concern in Mullaitivu District.

Displacement/Returns • AGA Mullaitivu reports population movement inside the combat zone, with civilians moving in various directions looking for safer places to stay.

Sector Developments/Gaps • A GoSL representative attending the shelter cluster meeting invited agencies working in Block 24, 25 and 26 of Zone 3 (each block is ten acres) to a meeting to discuss possible GoSL machinery support. The Government has agreed to build a Child Friendly Space in each block of Zone 3; a total of 30. • Twenty-four temporary latrines were installed at Omanthai school transit IDP camp (estimated 2,000 persons). This is an addition to the existing toilets to ensure SPHERE standards are met. • Assistant Commissioner of Local Government (ACLG) improved the water supply system to the Aryurvedic Hospital in Pampaimadhu by installing four 1,000 litre capacity water tanks and laying pipes to connect hand washing facilities, eight toilets and two bathing places. • The Water Board continues to take the lead in coordinating water trucking activities of ten water bowsers to Vavuniya camps. • UNICEF and the RDHS are to train health workers in the Nutrition Rehabilitation Program in an effort to augment supplementary and therapeutic feeding in IDP camps. Skills in patient care will also be improved given the caseload at Vavuniya General Hospital, Cheddikulam Hospital and Menik Farm Zone 3. • On 28 March six disabled children and their two care givers from a Kilinochchi based orphanage were released from IDP transit locations. • Three unaccompanied minors were transferred from Trincomalee Hospital and reunited with a relative in Trincomalee. • Four orphaned children in Mannar Hospital were released to the care of relatives after the case was reviewed by the courts.

MANNAR & VAVUNIYA DISTRICTS

Situation update • Since 27 April, there have been no new arrivals at the Omanthai entry/ exit point from the combat zone.

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• 29-30 April 2009, UNDSS conducted a Security Access Assessment in the villages of Saveriyarpuram, Maruthamadu, Pandaraveli, Koolakulam, Ponnochchikulam, and Sinnaollachchiapokkanai. • On 05 May, 12 local UN staff members (out of 13 staff) were released from the Vavuniya IDP camps following MoD permission. However, there is no news about the release of their dependents and other humanitarian workers from the camps. • On 06 April, the Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services together with the Vavuniya GA reported plans to establish a Coordination Task Force as the main coordination forum for emergency response in the District. • NFRI organisations decided not to distribute relief items in Menik Farm to IDPs not having the family registration card. A government representative is looking into sorting out the matter and committed to expedite the issuance of family cards. • ICRC completed the second round of hygiene pack distribution at Nellukkulam Technical College. • Upon the relative’s request, persons over 60 years of age are allowed to leave the IDP sites to join family members in Vavuniya and those without relatives are admitted to state-owned homes for the aged. • Civilian authorities in Vavuniya are concerned about possible demonstrations by students and parents whose education is being disrupted due to school occupation by IDPs • FSD and Indian NGO Sarvatra have completed de-mining activities in Musali division for the planned resettlement process in Mannar District.

Displacement / Returns • On 30 April 2009, 125 Musali IDP families (389 individuals) returned to settle in their place of origin in Saveriyarpuram, Mannar District. A second return movement is scheduled for 11 May 2009. • Menik Farm zone IV is being prepared to accommodate IDPs and the government has started to clear the land.

Sector Developments/Gaps Shelter • FORUT completed the construction of 173 temporary shelters in Blocks 14 & 19 of Menik Farm Zone III and erected 386 tents in Muthaliyankulam MV, Kandapuram MV , and Blocks 2, 18, 35 in Menik Farm Zone II. • As of 04 May, shelter actors had erected 6,927 tents in Menik Farm Zone II, which has a total capacity for 7,500 shelters.

NFRI • IDPs in Menik Farm Zone III have been issued hurricane lamps as they are expected to stay longer in the current sites. • Agencies report stocks of hospital kits are running low and there are still significant gaps in under garments, slippers, and children and adult clothes.

Food • Shade, SEED, UMCOR and Solidar distributed biscuits, glucose and bottles of water to IDPs in Menik Farm Zone II. • VOVCOD, ADT, OFERR, LEADS, SLF, CEFCO, FOSDOO, FIRM, RDF will provide cooked meals in Menik Farm for one week from 30 April 2009. There gap of 6,500 people will be filled by Office of the GA. • At a 04 May coordination meeting chaired by WFP, JRS and Caritas agreed to jointly provide food to an additional 9,000 people in order cover the existing food gap in Menik Farm zone II.

WASH • IDP access to water is not satisfactory in Tamil MV, Gamini MV, Saivapiragasa MV or in Menik Farm. While the school sites have some access to wells, more bowsers need to be deployed to meet SPHERE standards. • Latrine access is critical as latrines pits of Muslim MV IDP site need to be gully sucked and latrine constructions are still onging at Thandikulam and Muthaliyankulam MV school sites. • WASH items (192 buckets and four 1,000 litre water tanks) have been distributed in Muslim MV and Menik Farm to assist 24 communal kitchens. • 5 water distribution systems were installed at Pambaimadhu camp; two for drinking and three for hand washing. • Partitioning of toilets, to provide privacy, is complete in Pampamdhu camp and Cheddikulam MV. 73 bib-taps were replaced at 11 IDP sites.

Education • Three sites in Vavuniya have been identified for the construction of Temporary Learning Spaces and construction by ZOA, SCiSL and UNICEF has started. • 20 tarpaulin sheets were provided to two host schools (Muslim MV and Andiyapuliyankulam MV) as Temporary Learning Spaces for host students. • An assortment of teacher’s kits and student kits were delivered to displaced students and teachers in Mannar District.

Health • Mercy Corps Malaysia completed the construction of two primary health care centers at Menik Farm Zone III and will be handed over to the health authorities.

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• MSF Holland has been preparing to start mobile medical clinics in the IDP camps but has not yet been granted permission by the authorities. • MSF France has reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health to set up a field hospital in the Menik Farm area.

Protection • UNHCR has been given access to the IDP screening point in Omanthai, though information on new arrivals is not always shared in advance. • A Child Friendly Space was established at Mannar Hospital for toddler patients and by-standers and is equipped with a mobile library complete with children's books and recreational kits.

TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT

Situation update • The security situation in Trincomalee was generally stable. Security forces remain on alert and continue to conduct cordon and search operations. • A number of security incidents were reported including a number of killings. • Government authorities plan to establish an IDP site in Trincomalee District to provide shelter to 20,000 Vanni IDPs. Humanitarian agencies have been requested to support the government plan. • Heavy rains in Trincomalee from 10 – 13 April caused temporary floods in several flood vulnerable areas. • On 01 April, MV City of Dublin sailed from Trincomalee harbor to Putumatalan with 1,029.2 MT of food items (mostly provided by WFP), and 2,000 bed sheets, 2,000 plastic mats, 2,000 sarongs, 2,000 plastic floor sheets, 800 plastic sheets (4 x 6m) and 1,000 hygiene kits (provided by UNHCR) for the IDPs trapped in the no-fire zone in Mullaitivu.

Displacement / Returns • During the reporting period 4,715 IDPs and bystanders were transported from Mullaitivu to Pulmoddai. • On 26 April, government authorities transferred Vanni IDPs from IDPs sites in Vavuniya to three schools at Pulmoddai, Kuchchaveli DS division. This move is to reduce overcrowding at Vavuniya IDP sites. • The District Coordinating Director of the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Disaster Relief Services (MRDRS), DS Muttur and GS Kilivetti visited all IDP camps in Batticaloa and requested IDPs who would like to resettle/relocate, to come back to Trincomalee District soon. IDPs could be accommodated in the Kilivetti camps while deciding on relocation, requesting for compensation etc. Those opting for local integration in Batticaloa will be allowed to do so.

Sector Developments/Gaps Shelter • UMCOR is ready to construct 50 shelters and toilets for families willing to resettle at Santhanavetti in Kaddaiparichchan GN, Muttur DS division. • ZOA cleared the proposed relocation site at Nawarednapuram and will construct basic infrastructure facilities. UNDP is waiting for the beneficiary list from the Muttur DS to construct permanent houses for the returnees. • IOM completed 50 per cent of the internal shelter repairs (partitioning) at Kiliveddy IDP site. • UNHCR/OfERR finalized agreements with 86 beneficiaries for shelter repairs and 40 beneficiaries have already received the required material.

NFRI • On 30 April, UNHCR distributed 2,000 kitchen sets to IDPs who arrived from Vavuniya. World Concern is continuing the NFRI distribution to the patients and bystanders evacuated from Mullaitivu. • UNHCR distributed return packages to ten families in Gomarakandewala seven Indian returnee families. • UNHCR made 614 plastic mats available to IDPs staying at IDP transit sites in Trincomalee District. • UNHCR made 1,200 bed sheets, 500 plastic mats, 800 sarongs, 1,200 towels, 1,200 pieces of bath and laundry soap and 400 packages of napkins available to World concern for distribution in Pulmoddai and Padaviya hospital for patients and accompanying family members from Mullaitivu.

Food & Food Security • World Concern continues to provide cooked food to IDPs who arrived from Vanni during the ICRC medical evacuation and have extended food distribution to 3,500 IDPs who have arrived from Vavuniya. • Since 29 April, OfERR has been providing cooked food to 1,500 IDPs who have been transferred from Vavuniya. • WFP has transported food to Pulmoddai and is waiting for the DS to give the go ahead for its distribution. WFP is also looking out for agencies to partner with in the provision of cooked meals. • On 07 March, the GA in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture organized a meeting for DSs, UN Agencies and INGOs to introduce the initiative on the Expansion of selected Field Crop Cultivation in Trincomalee for the 2009 Yala Season. • WFP sent 199 MT of mixed food commodities to Kuchchaveli, Eachchilampattai, Muttur and Morawewa for distribution to 14,202 returnees and IDPs in these areas. In addition, 5.4 MT of mixed food commodities were dispatched to 93 health volunteers in Kinniya and Kuchchaveli who support WFP's Mother and Child Nutrition Programme.

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WASH • On 27 April, an urgent WASH meeting arranged at the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) informed humanitarian agencies the Water Board is ready to take on the responsibility of supplying water to the proposed Vanni IDP site. • On 23 April, at a meeting called by the Eastern Province Chief Minister, the Eachchilampattai Pradeshiya Saba informed agencies that they are facing difficulty to operate the Verugal water purification plant as authorities have not allocated funds for it. The Chief Minister stated he will look into the possibilities to secure funds to continue water purification. • IOM has completed the renovation of 80 wells in resettlement areas (Kattaiparichan, Chenaiyoor, Ganeshapuram, Paatalipuram & Rallkuli) in an implementation supported by PIN. • UNICEF supported the Pradeshiya Saba Muttur by providing 12,000 liters of water daily for 357 families at the Kilivetti IDP site. • UNICEF supported the Medical Officers of Health, Muttur and the Coordinating Centre for Community Development in conducting hygiene awareness programmes for 32 household heads at Paddalipuram, Muttur. • UNICEF in collaboration with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) conducted the monthly WASH coordination meeting on 07 April. A solution to the long term issue of identifying a sewage dumping site in Muttur division for IDP sites and resettlement villages was discussed. A dumping site has been identified at Vannar Chenai. The lack of water for domestic purposes in Paddalipuram relocation village was discussed along with the difficulties of working in track 6 village in Morawewa due to security restrictions.

Mine Risk Education • On 04 April, Mine Action Week was launched by UNICEF and implementing partners with a cultural event, the release of bookmarks and handing over of appreciation certificates to children who supported Mine Risk Education (MRE) activities in villages. The main focus of the program was on advocacy for the ban of land mines. The event was attended by relevant Government representatives, UN agencies, NGOs, school children and children’s club members. Mine Action Week continued with various activities/events in mine affected areas until 11 April. UNICEF partners, MRE Kachcheri Unit and Community Trust Fund (CTF) conducted MRE activities in 19 locations; Mine Risk Awareness was conducted through group discussions, songs, drawings, drama, direct presentation, poster distribution and house to house visits. 1,893 adults and 1,059 children participated.

Child Protection • On 09 April, UNICEF in collaboration with the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation and DIG Police conducted a legal training on ‘implementing laws related to child soldiers’ for 220 senior police officers and OICs of Police Stations. Chief Minister, Commissioner General Rehabilitation, Senior DIG and DIG Police who were present expressed their continued support towards the implementation of the Action Plan and zero tolerance towards child recruitment. • UNICEF continues to visit Trincomalee General Hospital to monitor protection needs of children being treated at the hospital and assessed the situation of unaccompanied minors. Five unaccompanied children remain in Trincomalee General Hospital. UNICEF is advocating with relevant authorities for the release of the children to their relatives and the placement of children who don’t have relatives with interim care facilities. UNICEF is collaborating with Probation and Child Care Services on this issue.

Logistics • IOM provided free transportation of school kits to Naloor and Neenakerny for CARE and of NFRIs to Pulmoddai for World Concern.

BATTICALOA DISTRICT

Situation update • During the reporting period, seven significant security incidents were reported in the district, showing an increase in number of incidents occurring compared to last reporting period. • Wild elephant attacks are reported by authorities as a serious concern in the Vellavley DS division. According to the Vellavely DS, over a period of one year 578 families were affected, 3 persons had died, 165 acres of paddy cultivation damaged, 223 houses damaged and 73 families displaced. Several requests for electric fencing sent to the higher authorities have not received a positive response to date.

Displacement/Returns • According to Government statistics, as of 7 April 2009, there were 6,884 IDPs (1,819 families) in Batticaloa district. • On 31 March 2009, the GoSL organized the first return movement to Kudumbimalai GN division in Kiran DS division. In total, 262 families/1,017 individuals were registered as returnees by the civil authorities. Returnees were assisted with NFRI and food package from the Ministry of Resettlement and with one tarpaulin and rope from UNHCR. ICRC, the shelter actor for the area, distributed one tarpaulin and tools inside the return area and will follow with NFRI and emergency shelter kits in the coming days.

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Sector Development/Gaps Shelter/ Camp Coordination & Camp Management • 16 partially damaged houses were repaired by UNHCR in Kurinchamunai in Vavunatheevu DS division. • IOM continues to monitor Saththurukondan, Zahira and Palameenmadu IDP camps in MN DS div. and provides assistance whenever gaps are identified in these camps. • NRC upgraded 132 emergency shelters by constructing a three inch brick wall and cementing the floors in Perillavely GN division; 8 out of 59 semi-permanent shelters have been constructed up to roof level in Koravely GN division in Kiran DS. • UNHCR started the repair of 149 damaged houses in Vavunatheevu of which 72 needed major repairs while the remaining 77 need only minor repairs.

NFRIs • Two families who returned from India received NFRI packs from UNHCR. • UNICEF through arche noVa, distributed 3,656 soaps, 150 toilet brushes, 120 toilet cleaning kits, 430 plastic buckets, 50 l kerosene and petrol to 457 displaced families living in 9 IDPs camps in Chenkalady and Manmunai North DS divisions. • UNICEF through arche noVa distributed 3,656 bars of soap, 150 toilet brushes, 120 toilet cleaning kits, 430 plastic buckets, 50 liters of kerosene and petrol to 457 families in nine IDPs camps. • UNHCR distributed 519 kitchen sets, 1,038 saris and sarongs to displaced families living in IDPs camps.

Food & Food Security • WFP under its ‘Mother and Child Nutrition Programme’ ( MCN) dispatched 29.94 MT of CSB to the MOHs of Batticaloa,Vaharai, Kattankudy, Kaluwanchikudy and Vavunatheevu for the distribution for 16,620 beneficiaries such as pregnant/ lactating mothers and children below 5 years. • 198 IDPs residing in the Aalankulam IDPs camp in Vaharai DS div. received 1.386 MT of food commodities as their 2 weeks rations from WFP. • WFP in collaboration with partners conducted an Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) in Batticaloa District from 20-28 April, the objective being to assess the food security situation of resettled people and determine the extent to which resettled households have recovered their livelihood. • In April, WFP provided 129.131 MT of mixed food commodities for 3,071 IDPs residing in camps, 3,604 persons living with host families and 3, 311 resettled persons. The last installment of the six month' resettlement ration was provided for 1,240 beneficiaries in Kiran division and 792 persons in Chenkalady division. In April, 1,022 persons started to receive the food ration in the Kudumbimalai newly resettled area of Kiran DS division. • Agrarian department distributed 2,730 out of 4,800 mammoties that were provided by WFP to families in the resettled areas to cultivate the abandoned land. The distribution of mammoties is being continued to beneficiaries in the resettled areas. • With reference to the TOT provided by WFP earlier, midwives delivered the food demonstration workshops to WFP beneficiaries of the ‘Mother and Child Nutrition Programme’ in all clinics of Paddipalai and Chenkalady divisions and some clinics in other divisions.

WASH • Arche noVa is continuing hygiene promotion activities in eight IDPs camps with the support of UNICEF and carries out weekly/ bi-weekly visits. • Arche noVa is also conducting hygiene promotion activities in Thanthayady and Mullamunai Schools in Vavunatheevu DS division. • A common well construction is underway by IOM at Pavatkodichchenai GN division. • UNICEF supported arche noVa maintain an onsite water supply system 6 IDP sites. • UNICEF supported VOVCOD to monitor the care and maintenance status of WASH facilities at 6 IDPs sites. VOVCOD has conducted 6 hygiene promotion and an awareness program. VOVCOD also arranged gully sucking in 3 IDPs camps through the Municipal Council. • UNICEF has supported PS- Valaichenai bowser water to Kudumbimalai resettlement village in Kiran DS div. Since 31 March, 75,000 liters of drinking water has been delivered. • UNICEF has installed a handpump at a borehole at Welikakandy School in Chenkalady DS with the support of VOVCOD; 160 children and 4 teachers have gained access to safe water. • Arche nova repaired three hand pumps and two bathing places and a soak pit in Saththurukondan I, changed the kerosene pump and wiring in Kirimuddy Farm and replaced a leaky water tank in Sinhala MV School. • Arche noVa with the support of UNICEF is monitoring the quality of water at 12 IDP camps in the district, conducts hygiene promotion activities at nine camps and visits the camps on a weekly/ bi-weekly basis. • IOM completed the construction of 20 permanent toilets in Pavatkodicheni in Vavunatheevu DS.

Education • UNICEF through ZEO Batticaloa, provided 356 students’ kits and teachers’ kits to Muthur IDP schools functioning at Kokkuvil Vikneswara Vidyalaya, Zahira Vidyalaya and Palameenmadu Vigneswara Vidalaya in MN DS div. and 258 students’ kits to displaced children attached to six host schools.

United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator

Sri Lanka | Joint Humanitarian Update | 2009 | Web site: http://www.hpsl.lk Joint Humanitarian Update NORTH EAST | SRI LANKA

• The recently resettled school of Illuppadichchenai GTMS was provided five chalk boards, student kits, tarpaulin, two teacher kits. Five black boards were also provided to Rugam and Oddamawady Ameerali Schools in the Batticaloa Central Education Zone. • UNICEF through Handicap International distributed 16 student kits to differently abled children studying in Batticaloa & Paddiruppu Zones. • UNICEF supported the principals and primary class teachers of schools in Chenkalady and Vavunatheevu resettled divisions to attend a ‘Catch-Up Education’ (CUE) follow-up workshop on 4 April. The principals and teachers committed to continue their support and special attention for the mainstream children through CUE. • UNICEF supported Palchenai GTMS in Vaharai resettled DS by providing 40 desks, 22 furniture sets for teachers and 200 chairs. • IOM is building the Vakarai Maha Vidyalayam School in coordination with the contractor Square Mack Ltd and Engineering Consultant Ltd, which will initially cater to the education need of 800 students from both Primary and Secondary classes. This school is funded by the EU and is expected to be declared open in June 2009. • SCiSL’s partner organizations Sarvodaya and Rural Development and Planning Organization staffers engaged in family visits and re-admitted 31 children who dropped out of school and also provided educational kits to 14 of them.

Health • “Mother & Child Health” home visits were conducted by TDH community health volunteers. TDH nurses & health trainers supported the MOH conduct ANC clinics and "Health & Hygiene focus group discussions" with 350 community members in Chenkalady DS division. • With UNICEF support, RDHS Batticaloa formed 60 “Parent Groups” in the Chenkalady, Valaichenai, Paddipalai, Vellavely, Vaharai and Vavunatheevu DS divisions. Six-hundred mothers were trained in “Maternal, Child Health & Nutrition” and are jointly working with public health staff in those areas. On 30 April, 60 mothers from the Paddipalai MOH area received Parent Information Kits. • UNICEF supported ‘Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme’ (NRP) is in progress at Valachchenai, Vaharai & Chenkalady MOHs areas.

Pyschosocial • UNICEF’s four (4) permanent child friendly huts in Kanthipuram in Vellavely DS div, Mahiloor West in Kaluwanchikudy DS div, Kirimichchai and Kunchankalkulam in Vaharai DS div. were declared open for conducting children’s activities. • JEN conducted counseling sessions in Vahaneri and Koolavarchchenai for 121 individuals. • TDH conducted a two-day workshop on "Photo Voice" for 28 youth club members. TDH is also conducting psycho- social activities, play activities and "confidence building with water" training for children from seven villages in four DS divisions. • TDH is conducting psychosocial activities for children and play activities for youth in five villages across four DS divisions in order to empower youth in war and tsunami-affected communities. • On 22 April, UNICEF distributed 30 tarpaulins and five recreational kits to local NGO AHAM to renovate ‘Child Friendly Spaces’ in Manmunai North IDP sites.

Protection/Child Protection • On 30 April, Sarvodayam with the support of UNICEF carried out a safety briefing for 40 NGO and CBO field staff on mine and unexploded ordinance. • On 30 April, Peace and Community Action (PCA) together with RDHS organized Psychosocial Coordination meeting at PCA office in which 35 Government and NGOs took part. Discussions went on the subjects of mapping, referrals and joint community based protection programmes. • UNHCR protection team carried out regular field visits to some resettlement villages in Chenkalady, Vavunatheevu, Paddipalai and Vellavely DS divisions during the reporting period. • Sarvodaya with the support of UNICEF continued to organize mine risk awareness and children club activities in 28 conflict-affected villages in Vellavely, Vaharai, Kaluwanchikudy and MN DS divisions. About 1,350 boys and girls and about 450 adults were part of the activities. • On 05 April 2009, UNICEF/ Sarvodaya organized an awareness programme and exhibition for International Mine Awareness Day. • Ten Probation Officers, 12 probation assistants, seven child rights promotion officers and two national child protection authority staff were trained by Save the Children in Sri Lanka (SCiSL) on Case Management, Minimum Standards of Care and Voluntary Home Monitoring visits.

Livelihoods • UNHCR led a joint assessment mission in Kudumbimalai, Kiran. The main gaps were identified in the Health, Education and Livelihood sectors. UNHCR will provide livelihood assistance through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs). • On 27 April 2009, the District Livelihood Recovery Coordination meeting held at GA’s office was co chaired by the GA and UNDP. UNDP explained the Recovery Coordination Structure and presented the document on Facilitating Agencies per DS division etc, the Area Coordinator- Recovery explained some structures of other countries and an orientation was done by her for the DSs and Facilitating agencies. • JEN supported 360 beneficiaries from 6 villages in Kiran DS division in vegetable gardening and cultivation in poly- bags. • JEN distributed two canoes to two fisherman co-operative societies in Vahanery and Mullivettuwan.

United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator

Sri Lanka | Joint Humanitarian Update | 2009 | Web site: http://www.hpsl.lk Joint Humanitarian Update NORTH EAST | SRI LANKA

• Livestock (goats) were provided to 29 beneficiaries at Veppavettuwan in Chenkalady DS div by IOM. A small scale rice mill construction is also ongoing for six selected beneficiary groups at Valachchenai and Oddamavady DS divisions. • IOM is in the process of identifying potential beneficiaries in order to provide suitable business development training to achieve sustainable income in the future and livestock (goats) were provided to 56 selected beneficiaries at Karadiyanaru and nine at Veppavettuwan in Chenkalady DS. • SCiSL disbursed the second installment of the cash grant to 66 beneficiaries from Kiran, Arumugathankudiyiruppu 1 & 2, Kaluwankerny 1 & 2 and Kalmadu during the 3rd week of the month. A total of Rs. 1,440,000 was provided as a cash grant to these beneficiaries.

Acronyms DRMU - Disaster Risk Management Unit ACLG - Assistant Commissioner Local DRR - Disaster Risk Reduction Government DSD- Divisional Secretariat Division ADGM - age, gender and diversity mainstreaming PPCC - Professional Psycho-social Counseling Centre ECCDC - Early Childhood Care and Development Centers ADT - Alliance Development Trust PHM - Public Health Midwives ECE - Early Childhood Education AP - Anti-Personnel PS - Pradeshiya Saba ECHO - Humanitarian Aid Department ASC - Area Security Coordinator QIP - Quick Impact Project EHESP - Emergency House Hold Economic Security AWF - Affected Women Forum RDA - Road Development Authority Program BAC - Battle Area Clearance RDHS - Regional Directorate of Health Services EHI - Essential Household Items CBDRM - Community Based Disaster Risk RDS - Rural Development Society EOD - explosive ordnance disposal Management REERDO - Rural Economic, Education, Research and EVI - Extremely Vulnerable Individual CBI - Classroom Based Intervention Development Organization FDL - Forward Defence Line CBO - Community Based Organisations RSG - Representative of the Secretary General FFE - Food for Education CBSM - Confidence Building and Stabilization RCTMS - Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School FFW - Food for Work Measures rwh - rain water harvesting FIRM – Federation of Institutions for Rural Management CCHA - Consultative Committee on Humanitarian SAA - Small Arms Ammunition FSA - Field Security Advisor Assistance SAC - School Attendance Committee FSD - Swiss Foundation for Mine Action CEFCO - Cheddikkulam Federation of Community SBM - School Based Management GAA - German Agro Action Organization SCC - Shelter Coordination Cell GND - Grama Niladari Division CF - child friendly SCiSL - Save the Children in Sri Lanka GP - Guiding Principles CFA - Cease Fire Agreement SDS - School Development Society GRC - German Red Cross CFE - Child Friendly Environment SFP - School Feeding Programme GS - Grama Sevaka CM - Camp Management SLF - Sewa Lanka Foundation GTMS - Government Tamil Mixed School C&M - Care and Maintenance SLMM - Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission GVC - Gruppo Volontariato Civile COC - Chamber of Commerce SLRCS - Sri Lanka Red Cross Society HALO - Hazardous Area Life Support Organization CRADA - Centre for Rehabilitation of Alcoholics SM - Social Mobilization HRC - Human Rights Commission and Drug Addicts STF- Special Task Force HSZ - High Security Zone CRC - Child Rights Convention SOND - Social Organisation for Networking for LOLDDL - Land O’ Lakes Dairy Development Lanka CRDO - Community Resource Development Development ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross Organsiation SIYB - Start and Improve Your Business) JSAC - Jaffna Social Action Center CSB - Corn Soya Blend TCCS - Thrift and Credit Co-op Societies MA - Mine Action CTF - Community Trust Fund TDDA – Trincomalee District Development Association MCN - Mother and Child Nutrition CWBC - Child Well-Being Committee TDH - Terre des hommes MMIPE - Milinda Moragoda Institute For Peoples’ DAPH - Department of Animal Production and ToT - Training of Trainers Empowerment Health TS - Temporary Shelter MN - Manmunai North DDG - Danish De-mining Group TMVP - Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal ZEO - Zonal Education Office DMAO - District Mine Action Offices TP - Transition Programme MoD - Ministry of Defense DDMC - District Disaster Management Coordinator VEP - Village Emergency Preparedness MOH - Medical Officer of Health DDMU - District Disaster Management Unit VGF - Vulnerable Group Feeding MRE - Mine Risk Education DMU - Disaster Management Unit VOSD - Voluntary Organization for Social Development MSF - Doctors Without Borders DoA - Department of Agriculture WC - Welfare Center NECORD - North East Community Restoration DPDHS- Deputy Provincial Director of Health WV - World Vision Development Services WWDF - Working Women Development Foundation NPA - Norwegian People Aid DPU - Deep Penetration Unit NRP - Nutrition Rehabilitation Programme

NWS&DB - National Water Supply Drainage Board

Abbreviations of places

Jaffna (Jaf) Sirupp - Siruppiddy Nana - Nanaddan KP - Koralai Pattu (**Valachchenai) Pala- Palameenmadu Alank - Alankulai Tell - Tellipalai Umana - Umanakeri EP - Eravur Pattu (**Chenk) DS Kok - Kokkuvil Chank - Chankanai Then - Thenmaradchi Rasool - Rasoolputhuveli KPC - Koralai Pattu Central Panich- Panichchankerny Chava - Thiru - Thirunagar Kalu - Kaluwanchikudy Mank - Mankerny Chavakachcheri Udu - Uduvil Trincomalee (Trinco) Padd - Paddiruppu Paddip – Paddipalai Guru - Gurunagar Uyara - Uyarapulam Each - Eachchilampattai Vavuna - Vavunatheevu Kara - Karaveddy Vada - Vadamaradchi Kuch - Kuchchaveli Valach - Valachchenai Ampara (Amp) Karai - Karainagar Valik SW - Valikamam South Kilive - Kililveddy Kodu - Koduwamadu Akka - Akkaraipattu Karan - Karanavai West Panku - Pankudaveli Kal – Kalmunai Maddu - Madduvil Vatha - Vatharavathai Batticaloa (Batti) Mara - Marapalam Thiruk - Thirukkovil Maru - Maruthapuram Thampa – Thampalakamam Ontha - Onthachimadam Navan - Navanthurai Kilinochchi (Kili), Mullaitivu Batti - Batticaloa Kuru - Kurukkalmadam Sahaya - (Mullai) Aray - Arayampathy Sahayapuram Chenk - Chenkalady Sandi - Sandilipay Vavuniya (Vavu), Mannar KPN - Koralai Pattu North Thalv - Thalvupadu (**Vaharai) DS Achch - Achchankulam

United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator

Sri Lanka | Joint Humanitarian Update | 2009 | Web site: http://www.hpsl.lk