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SEWALANKA FOUNDATION Edition 16 / November 2007 Newsletter INSIDE: > Relief in the north and east > Sewalanka joins Kataragama pilgrimage > Reducing environmental impacts > Tsunami early warning system put to the test > Making the Island TB free > Increasing computer literacy amongst rural communities RELIEF IN THE NORTH AND EAST Two decades of war coupled with the 2004 tsunami have seen Sri Lanka become home to an extrememly large population of internally displaced people (IDP). According to UNHCR (The UN Refugee Agerncy) statistics over 300,000 people now find themselves effectively homeless and are being housed in a variety of temporary shelters and camps primarily in the north and east of the country. Sewalanka has, from its inception, worked to support displaced people and provides comprehensive support to these vulnerable communities. From immediate assistance subsequent to a community’s initial displacement, to managing IDP camps and conducting resettlement and support programs helping people return to their homes and villages, Sewalanka hopes to assist IDPs with all aspects of the challenges they face. At present, Sewalanka works with IDPs in both the east and north of the country. In the north as a result of the recent resumption of violence Sewalanka and other non-governmental organisations (NGO) are dealing with a new and growing crisis. In the east, due to a year of relative calm Sewalanka’s work with these communities has now progressed to the resettlement phase. Batticaloa refugee crisis The Batticaloa office of Sewalanka, adults in the community. life as possible in such difficult manages the Sathurukondan IDP camp circumstances. and two IDP camps in Kokkuvil housing “What these people need is a sense of over 3000 people and in partnership with normalcy and stability. Their lives have Despite the difficulties faced by some the UNDP, WHO and other local and been completely disrupted, so we try to groups many communities have been international humanitarian agencies, provide them with community focal points, allowed to return to their villages and Sewalanka staff ensure that the people activities and where possible employment Sewalanka has been assisting them in have enough food, water and clothing. to restore their sense of purpose and build their resettlement, helping them in their cohesion in the community,” said Leshimi efforts to begin new lives in their old homes. Sewalanka also provides counseling and Thansingham, a Sewalanka volunteer at medical support services to care for the the Selanai camp. In Vaharai approximately 3000 people have physical and psychological needs of the returned to their homes. Sewalanka has IDPs and provides education and livelihood Although conditions in the camps have been conducting livelihood training to help training to allow them to build a secure improved, land allocated to refugees is these people build successful businesses future after their displacement. temporary and is often donated by and sustainable livelihoods. Staff at Government institutions. When this land is Sewalanka have also been working with “We try to think beyond simply meeting again required, the IDPs are often CBOs to provide small loans to individuals their day-to-day needs and work to provide transferred to alternative camps in and families looking to enhance their IDPs with the skills and confidence to build neighboring districts. IDPs in the incomes. new lives when they are finally able to leave Batticaloa camps now face the prospect of these camps,” said the manager of the being relocated to the Trincomalee district. Over recent times, the Vaharai community Kokilai camp, Mr Jude Sinathamby. has faced extraordinary difficulties and This continual displacement is the cause of much hardship. Having lived through years IDPs in the three camps managed by much hardship: “We would rather stay of war they were able to rebuild during the Sewalanka come primarily from the Muttur here, we are used to it now,” said Yasodha 2000 – 2005 ceasefire but then found their and Sampur areas which saw heavy Lathadevi a young woman at the Kokuvil lives destroyed by the tsunami. Following fighting last year. While these areas have camp who, having lost her home and the tsunami the people again rebuilt as since stabilised and some IDPs have been husband in the fighting, has spent over a best they could but in 2006 they were once allowed to return to their homes, certain year as an IDP. again displaced by renewed fighting. villages have been declared high security zones while others have not been cleared The issue of resettlement for groups whose “Again and again we must rebuild,” said of mines, making a return home for these villages have been declared high security Shar Priyalalitha a farmer’s wife currently villagers impossible. zones remains difficult but it is hoped that living in a temporary shelter in her own through dialogue between the Government, garden. Her house remains uninhabitable While conditions in the camps remain IDPs and NGOs this problem will be as a result of shelling. extremely difficult, Sewalanka has provided resolved as soon as possible. The security furniture and utensils to make life in the situation however is such that no firm date Even with all of this suffering, the people shelters as comfortable as possible. Small can be given for the communities return. have not given in to a sense of desperation schools have been constructed to meet and remain determined to rebuild their lives. both the educational and social needs of Until such time as they are able to return children while social centers with games home, Sewalanka will continue to support With funding from DanChurchAid (DCA) and televisions have been provided for these IDPs and help them live as normal a and the Norweigan Embasy, Vaharai’s 2 farmers are currently working with Sewalanka to diversify their crops, while the Relief in Mannar fisherman are receiving new boat engines and a wider range of nets with which to The resumption of violence in the north of care for these IDPs in the context of an catch different varieties of fish. CBOs have the country has also precipitated a serious extremely difficult and dangerous situation. been provided with large grants and given refugee crisis in the Mannar district. During the task of overseeing construction and the past three months over 3000 families “Sewalanka staff have been distributing infrastructure work, supervising the building have been displaced in the district, with meals and providing supplementary rations of roads and dams. These tasks provide people forced to flee their homes in three of including biscuits, milk and dhal to those them with responsibility and experience in the district’s five divisions. sheltering in camps,” Ms Royce said. conducting large scale projects for the improvement of their community. In the Madhu area more than 1000 families “Given the violence witnessed and trauma have been displaced by fighting and in the experienced by a number of these IDPs Further the CBOs are using the funds they Mantai division too, violence has displaced Sewalanka has also been offering receive to supply small loans to recipients approximately 1500 families. In Nanaddan counseling programs to address expressing an interest in a range of although fighting has ceased 1000 families psychological, social and mental health enterprise development projects from ice remain in camps awaiting permission to problems among those living in camps. cream making, and gathering wild honey, return to their homes. to opening communications centers and “While the situation in Mannar is extremely shops. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are severe, Sewalanka hopes that through currently being housed in local schools and corporation between the government, When asked about their resettlement, playgrounds with the majority of shelters NGOs and the UNHCR a long-term plan members of the community said they located in more stable areas of the district might be devised for the refugees and work where overwhelmed with happiness when in the vicinity of Mannar town. can move from catering to their immediate informed they could return home but also needs to skills training and psychological said they still feared a resumption of These shelters are currently being programs in preparation for resettlement.” violence. managed by district officials with assistance from UNHCR and a number of Nevertheless given the fact that violence in However as one elderly fisherman stated: NGOs including Sewalanka. The present the north of the country continues unabated “We can’t think about that, we have to work situation is dynamic and unstable with a large number of the people currently and build now as if we are going to be here shifting frontlines and ongoing violence displaced are likely to remain unable to forever.” causing yet more displacement. return to their homes for sometime and will require a range of assistance which As far as it is able, Sewalanka will assist Sewalanka Special Projects Deputy Sewalanka Foundation will help provide. these people to build a self-reliant, Director Ms Annet Royce said that sustainable community that will endure for Sewalanka staff are doing their utmost to generations. Below > IDPs in the Kokkovil camp in Batticaloa. 3 PADA YATRA 2007 Sewalanka participates in Kataragama pilgrimage brother and sister; we look after our elders and the younger children. “A significant portion of the Sewalanka participants are youngsters who have lived their entire life in a divided society. When we walk the Pada Yatra, we are one family without segregation or boundaries. “It is very important even as a small group to live together, eat together and to share each other’s pain and each other’s happiness. The Pada Yatra allows members of the organisation to live side- by-side for five days. “I thank all staff who participated and hope that when they go back to their With the invitation of the Okanda Panama Kataragama met his second wife, Valli communities and their workplace, their Pada Yathra Committee, more than 230 Amma, a member of the Sri Lankan Vedda family, friends and colleagues see a little Sewalanka staff from across the island community.