November / December 2005 Post-Tsunami Update November / December 2005

United Nations Activities in Support of the Relief and Recovery Efforts of the Sri Lankan Government and Its People

Exhibited at the National Tsunami Art Competition at BMICH

One Year On Inside On this first anniversary of the tsunami we step back and take another look at where we stand. One year after the Tsunami: Mired in figures all year, measuring our success in hundreds and thousands of shelters Where we are? ...... 2 constructed, houses built, boats and nets distributed and livelihoods restored, it is easy to loose “In Loving Memory”...... 2 sight of the small achievements being accomplished daily on an individual basis. “Echoes of the Tsunami”...... 3 In this Post-Tsunami Update we meet the communities of ordinary and extraordinary people who bore the brunt of this tragedy. They endured immeasurable losses but they are not victims. Men, Tsunami Education Project ....5 women and children, many already shattered through years of conflict and blighted a second time by another force are succeeding in turning their lives around and moving forward. UN World AIDS Day ...... 6 Like the dedicated hardworking women lantern makers in the coastal villages who have bonded Combating Child Exploitation..7 together to bring light to all of us as a reminder of lives lost and lives regained. NRC trains Site Managers ...... 7 Or 15 year old T. Lavan who through his own images and words speaks of his feelings with courage beyond his years. And the school children influencing their homes and villages through drama. Or Residents clean environment ..8 the residents of temporary shelters eager and proud enough to plant trees and flowers to have better homes and gardens. Whether it is the lagoon cleaners in the south, the fearful fishermen along the What the People Think...... 9 coast brave enough to go to sea, they all live out their daily lives with a conviction to survive. WFP School-Feeding provides These are the everyday small pictures of a reality so clearly captured by Sri Lankan children through incentive for children to go to the national art competition. Their message is simple. Their communities will be rebuilt as the school ...... 10 young artist has so vividly portrayed above. Over the Waves ...... 12 It is all of You we remember and celebrate on this the first anniversary of the tsunami. Better Homes and Gardens....13 Miguel Bermeo UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka Getting the Message Home...... 13 Produced by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 One Year after the Tsunami: 'In Loving Memory' a nation wide Where we are? commemorative event

ne year after the tsunami all parties involved in the Orecovery effort wonder how much progress has been achieved. In order to respond to that question, more than 60 institutions and 100 experts from the government, civil society and development partners undertook a joint assessment of the situation and identified the way forward for 2006. The result is a report titled “Post Tsunami Recovery and Reconstruction Progress, Challenges, Way Forward”. The report outlines numerous challenges and successes.

Thanks to a quick combined and complex response by all national and international actors, the country recorded no additional deaths because of tsunami related diseases. The emergency response can be considered a success story. Immediate repairs of basic infrastructure were made. Emergency shelter was provided to those in need and food aid delivered to 910,000 people (until October). Numerous initiatives were undertaken to protect and prevent the vulnerable from being subject to abuse and violence.

The recovery process is making progress, but more effort should be made to ensure that no-one is left behind. Progress today means firstly that funding has been secured and the international community has firmly committed US$ 2.1 billion, out of which US$ 0.6 billion has been disbursed. However, some gaps across sectors and districts remain.

Second, 54,000 transitional shelters have been completed allowing internally-displaced persons (IDPs) to move out of tents. Simultaneously, two permanent housing programmes for around 100,000 families were also introduced. The main challenge is to ensure that as we move forward nobody is left behind.

Third, families were assisted through a combination of cash grants (over 250,000 households), cash for work, microfinance programmes (more than 13,000 subsidized loans have been disbursed), training and asset replacement (e.g. about 90% of all boats destroyed have been repaired or replaced). The economy has started to recover and is poised to register 5.6 per cent in 2005 whilst the tourism and fisheries sectors are yet to B. Chamila Geevani of Ahangama in Galle adding the final touches to a commemorative lantern fully recover. However, restoring livelihoods requires a here is a light in all of us…we just need to share it. This is the belief of more sustained and an improved coordinated effort, in TSarvodaya and its Women's Movement; hence a nationwide project named order to match supply of assistance and remaining 'In Loving Memory' will commemorate the first year anniversary of the tsunami. needs. The project aims to create a ring of light around the entire coastline of Sri Fourth, over 95% of school-aged children in tsunami- Lanka at 7 pm on 26 December 2005 and so unite all citizens, NGO's and affected areas have returned to school. While in health overseas visitors in commemorating the loss of thirty five thousand lives in the and education, funds have been provided for the tsunami. It is an event conceived to embrace all religious and ethnic beliefs. rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and social services have been largely restored, only a low A minimum of forty thousand luminary lanterns in respect of each life lost are percentage of facilities (around 10%) have been fully being handmade by the women survivors in the coastal villages supported by repaired or rebuilt. Progress on planning of physical Sarvodaya Women's Movement and distributed free of charge to the bereaved. infrastructure has certainly been made but limitations The project is compatible with the Movement's urgency to provide psycho- social support as well as empower tsunami-affected women through skills remain in terms of the national construction capacity as development and livelihood support. well as the cost of construction material. The lanterns are made of simple materials. A craft paper bag, silk screened Finally, progress on other qualitative aspects of the with the message 'In Loving Memory' in three languages with a space for the process, such as gender and environmental concerns, family to write the name of the departed loved one and a final sentiment of ' We consultation, transparency and accountability is remember and we care'. Sarvodaya requests individuals and families to light uneven, while equity and communication issues clearly their lanterns on the seashore at 7 pm in unison with others. They could also deserve particular attention. organize a community lantern lighting ceremony in their neighbourhood or spend a few minutes in meditation in the privacy of their homes. Every affected family should know what their future is as soon as possible. The report paves the way to resolve Sarvodaya hopes to sell at least eight thousand lanterns priced at one outstanding issues and follow up on the impact of the hundred rupees each to cover the cost of a minimum of thirty two thousand relief and recovery effort on the tsunami survivors. lanterns for free distribution to the bereaved. Sarvodaya invites all to share their own personal light on this day.

Page 2 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 worked closely with selected communities in the ECHOES OF THE TSUNAMI Engines, nets and long lines East of Sri Lanka. distributed in Trincomalee - Resilience and Strength The exhibition of photographs were edited down from over 1,500 photos. The photographer then Sixty five men, women and children living in FAO and the Ministry of Fisheries went back to the participants to ask them why camps in Ampara and Batticaloa were given and Aquatic resources (MFAR) they took a particular photograph. Some disposable cameras. They were asked to distributed 85 engines, 2,952 nets participants chose to write poems or and 10,000 long lines to photograph five things in their communities: testimonials in reply. These words, written or approximately 344 fishers in where they live, their family, their favourite dictated by the survivors, were translated and Trincomalee on 10 November. This place, the one thing that represents the future are available to view alongside the pictures. distribution of fishing equipment was for them and a self portrait. made as part of two separate “Echoes of the Tsunami” was shown in London projects funded by the Governments The result is “Echoes of the Tsunami”, an in late November 2005. Showing at the British of Japan and Belgium. FAO exhibition to mark the first commemoration by Council, 49 Alfred House Gardens in Colombo distributed 100 bundles of 100 long celebrating the strength and resilience of from the 20 December 2005. Then in January it lines to tsunami-affected fishers. The survivors. Through pictures and words emerges will travel back to the communities in Ampara bundles, including pre-assembled unique, personal accounts of life, tragedy, hope and Batticaloa. lines composed of hooks, floats and repair. Participants had a great desire to swivels and lines, are valued at US$ ECHOES OF THE TSUNAMI – Rebuilding Lives - An share with others the impact the tsunami had 44,270. Long lines catch much fewer exhibition by Merlin in conjunction with the communities on their lives. Supported by the British Council fish than nets and are slightly more of Ampara and Batticaloa and Merlin, UK photographer Nevil Mountford, labour intensive, but this method of fishing greatly increases the value of Oh Tsunami! the catch. “Tuna caught with long lines fetch prices up to 200 per cent greater than tuna caught with nets by T. Lavan (age 15) due to the increased freshness of the Kalmunai, Ampara fish.” said FAO Master Fisherman How you appeared in front and blinked and Fishing Gear Specialist Cyril Binduhewa. A total of 309 kits, You made some people clap and laugh including 2,952 hurulla, or trenched The morning that you came sardine nets were distributed to 159 In 10 minutes you turned a murderer beneficiaries as part of a project funded by the Japanese You, Tsunami! Government. This brings the total Moving amongst the villagers number of nets distributed by the and talking to the soil project to approximately 9,000. Engines were distributed to boat You took my family with you owners who have their boats You plucked away wealth, registered with the Department of along with health Fisheries. The Belgian funded project provided 72 of the 85 engines Can't you return our family? distributed, while the Japanese Oh, Tsunami! funded project accounted for the other thirteen. The new engines will Father Thavarasa, my knowledge ensure that 85 more boats return to Mother Sivamani, my love sea, and an estimated 170 fishers Sister Vanitha, my dear will resume their livelihoods. FAO has already distributed 350 outboard Where are they? engines through the Belgian and Why did you take them all? Japanese funded projects. Over the Tell me, Tsunami! coming two months FAO and MFAR will continue to distribute necessary You played with life fishing inputs to tsunami-affected You took away our beloved ones fishers in Trincomalee. FAO has You Came from Sumatra faced major constraints in acquiring some fishing related supplies like Why did you destroy our land? nets and engines for distribution in Oh, Tsunami! Sri Lanka. This is due in large part to the high demand for fishing gear You are happy, Tsunami throughout the disaster-affected We are left hanging on... T. Lavan aged 15 chose his father’s grave in Ampara as part of the exhibition region in the post-tsunami context. After encountering great difficulties, Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) FAO has located reliable suppliers, Reconstruction and will be governed by a five member board. A bill allowing it to continue its essential Development Authority will be submitted before the end of January to gear replacement programme as parliament to set up the Reconstruction and planned. FAO is the UN's (RADA) Development Authority. coordinating agency for the rehabilitation of the fisheries and The new agency will draw together 'under one President Mahinda Rajapakse has established agriculture sectors in Sri Lanka. roof' the functions of TAFREN, TAFOR, TAP, Whilst FAO and the Sri Lankan an agency to amalgamate the work of a range of THRU and REPPIA in an effort to expedite the government's immediate priority existing agencies and task forces which were reconstruction effort in the most cost-effective set-up to deal with the effects of the tsunami, manner. Mr Tiran Alles has been appointed following the tsunami disaster has including one older pre-tsunami agency chairman and Mr Saliya Wickramasooriya has been to get the fishers fishing and (Rehabilitation of Persons, Properties and been appointed CEO. farmers farming again as soon as Industries Authority - REPPIA). The new

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 3 November / December 2005 possible, the longer-term strategy is that reflected personal experiences from the Post-Tsunami Recovery: post-tsunami livelihood context. The four to improve the sectors as a whole presentations during this session highlighted with a view to raising the incomes of Issues and Challenges micro level concerns with regards to delivery of coastal communities. livelihoods aid, management of programmes, st nd On the 1 and 2 of December, the Institute of consultation of beneficiaries, implications for Policy Studies (IPS) in collaboration with ILO livelihoods and impacts on the larger Government hands over and UNDP organized a workshop titled “Post communities. permanent houses Tsunami Recovery in Sri Lanka: One Year On” with a special focus on “Livelihoods Post The third session of the workshop concentrated Tsunami: Build Back Better?” The objective of purely on the fisheries sector. Here Eighty eight permanent houses in the workshop targeted three key areas: building representatives from FAO, Government Walahanduwa watte & Imaduwa in back better in the post tsunami era while taking departments, civil society and research studies Galle were officially presented to into consideration the pre-tsunami livelihood presented a comprehensive backdrop on the pre tsunami-affected families, on 10 context, linking existing research on poverty November by the Minister of Urban and post-tsunami sectors. Key issues at this with similar studies conducted on the tsunami, juncture consisted of 'do no harm' approaches Development and Water Supply. The bringing together stakeholders and partners so houses were financed by the then towards marine ecosystems, appropriate fishing as to promote cooperation and synergy on techniques, regulation and management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through poverty reduction and livelihood challenges. funds received by well wishers and industry while taking into consideration the expatriates living abroad and in requirements and socio-economic conditions of The first session of the programme provided a the fisher communities. foreign missions and were background review of the damage incurred from constructed by the State the tsunami (i.e. human, infrastructure and The last and fourth session explored the way Development and Construction economy). Most of the information derived from Corporation. So far 288 such houses forward in the post-tsunami context. Sectoral the fisheries, agriculture, tourism and small areas consisted of households, government, in Moderawila Kalutara, 100 in enterprises sectors. Furthermore, the session Walahanduwa Galle, 24 in private sector, NGOs and donors. The need for touched on specific successes, issues, strengthening institutional capacity, Kesbapana Galle, 300 in mitigating strategies/programmes and future Periyaneelaweli Ampara and 152 in beneficiary targeting, information, coordination challenges. Presentations were conducted by and demand driven programmes that are locally Pallawakkulam Trincomalee have representatives from ILO, ADB, CEPA and been built under the direction of the centred were highlighted. Participants viewed NDTF. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. livelihood restoration as a holistic effort with a multitude of stakeholders working in parallel The second session consisted of presentations and in close cooperation with each other.

Civil Society Strengthen- receiving this training. ing Programme Best Days yet to come for thousands of children On the request of the Ministry of Education, Under the UNDP Civil Society Save the Children is also rehabilitating 21 schools that were used as welfare camps, for the Strengthening Programme 68 NGOs Opportunities to resume education have helped from Matara, 20 from Dickwell, 38 benefit of 15,000 children, and providing extra thousands of children get back to normalcy and from Devinuwara and 42 CBOs classes and equipment to more than 11,000 recover from the tsunami disaster. In the last 11 (community based organisations) children to help them catch up with their months, Save the Children in Sri Lanka has from Weligama are to benefit. An studies. So far, 14, 000 sets of secondary school built 80 pre-schools across affected areas and awareness program on disaster notes were distributed to ordinary and advanced will be completing 80 more reaching a total management was conducted by the level students to enable them to take their Sri Lanka Air Force in the AGA 40,000 children in the 3-5 year age group. To examinations. Small projects are underway Division of Hambantota on 8 help support pre-school education 16,000 pre responding to displaced children's educational November for the general public. school kits have also been distributed to date needs such as providing bicycles to enable them among children in Early Childhood to get to school, setting up study centres and Development (ECD) centres and welfare camps. libraries to do their homework. This has helped Mobile Paediatric Clinic Providing supplementary food where necessary both teachers and children to focus on studies is also part of the ECD programme. for Jaffna and have hope for the future. Pre-school teachers in affected areas needed The Healthcare and Nutrition The Education Programme of Save the Children particular training on helping children to Ministry signed a Memorandum of has taken accessibility to buildings for the recover from their emotional and psychological Understanding with Italy's Alicei and disabled into account in the rebuilding and setbacks. Save the Children has trained 400 Comune di Bologna to implement a repair of pre-schools and schools for which it teachers on child protection and psycho-social mobile paediatric clinic in Jaffna for has assumed responsibility. Save the Children care of children in addition to the regular pre- the tsunami-affected. The clinic is has also responded by encouraging pre-schools composed of a glass-resin cell school teacher training. More teachers are to take in children who have disabilities. installed on a steel trailer and is equipped with an extensible examination coach, angle shelf, one Drive for Transparency and mechanism of transparency and accountability large closet with shutters, a and non-existence of a national anti-corruption bathroom with a wash basin and Accountability strategy compelled TISL to come up with this mirror, electrical power generators project. The audit will gather all physical, oral and waterworks with water and documentary evidence relating to the reservoirs. Transparency International Sri Lanka chapter (TISL) has established a value for money construction projects with the idea of evaluating auditing project on the tsunami reconstruction them. This evaluation will assess whether it Tsunami train wreckage process. The project kicked off 15 September achieved the best outcome in comparison to its financial, human, economic, social and shifts and monitors six selected tsunami reconstruction programmes. It will be run as a environmental investment.

pilot project creating an operative mechanism Plans are underway to move the Three of the audits will be selected from the tsunami train wreckage in Peraliya, for the selected reconstruction programmes to affected areas in the southern region Galle where over 1,500 people died assess their economy, effectiveness and (Hambantota, Matara and Tangalle) and three to the Kahawa train station close to efficiency. The main objective is to ensure the from the eastern region (Ampara and Kalmunai). Peraliya, Hikkaduwa to clear the proper and sole utilization of aid money received main drainage system which is being for tsunami reconstruction devoid of corruption. blocked by the train in its present The non-availability of a built-in operative

Page 4 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 Calming Fears and partnership with the British Geological Survey, location near the railway track. Annai Illam, the Planning and Development Secretariat, and Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Ignorance - The Tsunami Zonal Education Directors, the TEP has been Education Project (TEP) developed as an accepted, appropriate and Tsunami-affected thorough educational tool. prepared to move if rents

n Kinniya, Trincomalee, women ask that a Children are the main direct beneficiaries of the are paid Iwall be built on the beach to keep the water TEP, but indirect beneficiaries include family back and stop another tsunami coming their members and friends. Despite their fears, In Matara beneficiaries living in way. In other communities people still live in school children are more open to discussions on transitional shelters are willing to fear and fright. It doesn't take much to unnerve the tsunami than most adults. Most children move into rented houses to these shattered communities. Many believe the are eager to participate in the TEP sessions, and overcome difficulties associated with tsunami was a punishment, the result of grasp the key facts quickly. This information is heavy rain if they get rental payments human action. The psychological scars of the then reinforced among the peer group with until they get a new house. In the tsunami will long outlive the physical damage all informal discussions centred on quizzes, games Matara, Dickwella, Devinuwara and these places endured. All communities felt the and handouts, and then disseminated to the Weligama DS Divisions the total collective shock and distress at the devastation. wider family at home. permanent housing requirement is 2,985 houses, work is in progress on Outside of the grief prevails fear and ignorance. Sessions are also held in transit camps in the 1,162 houses while 15 houses are This combined with sorrow has prevented many evenings when old and young are gathered. complete. families from returning to their land, individuals Aimed at providing a clear and basic to their trades and children to their play places. understanding of plate tectonics, TEP explains the basics that created the tsunami. TEP in the Children were the most vulnerable to the effect form of an animated, three-dimensional Micro business assistance of the waves. A high proportion of deaths PowerPoint presentation serves to educate resulting from the tsunami were children. Those tsunami-affected communities in the geography AMURT International distributed 70 who survived have been exposed to terrifying behind the natural hazard; to provide scenes. Children in communities sheltering coir machines and the first reassurance that tsunamis are rare events; and installment of raw material (coir) to IDPs faced the influx of dead and wounded to with monitoring systems in place, a human hospitals. Lessons were disrupted as those 70 tsunami-affected women disaster on the scale of December 2004 should beneficiaries on 12 November as seeking temporary shelter often found it in never happen again. schools, and even play has become guarded, as micro business assistance. AMURT has already provided training for watchful parents and guardians keep children The project is active in schools and transit close. these women on how to start a micro camps in Killinochchi, Vadamarachchi East and business and how to make different Mullaitivu. Plans are in place to expand it into items using coir. In the aftermath of the tsunami members of the Jaffna and Trincomalee. Solidar Consortium were repeatedly requested to explain the tsuanami. Staff rapidly realised the need to provide Tsunami documentaries factual information about the tsunami to and short films communities subject to rumour and Consortium of Humanitarian superstition. Agencies (CHA) is planning to shoot a video documentary in two divisions With technical support of Trincomalee District (Muthur, from the British Kinniya, Town and Gravets). The Geographical Survey as objective is to meet the population affected by the tsunami and get their well as local partners, impression on the work done, Norwegian Peoples expectations and frustrations. The Aid/Solidar developed a final product should be available in 3 pilot project designed to weeks and will be presented to the explain the causes and humanitarian community. IOM physiology of a tsunami. signed an agreement with the local Working with a local organization Centre for Asian psycho-social group, Culture and Arts to produce a short Annai Illam, the television drama for local audiences Tsunami Education in both the Tamil and Sinhala Project (TEP) was languages on the theme of counter- piloted in May 2005. Its trafficking. Upon completion, the aim was to balance television drama will be broadcast on counselling with an Sri Lankan TV. education program aimed at dispelling rumour and superstition over the The first Disaster and cause of the waves. Emergency Warning Today some 30,000 people have benefited Network from the TEP allaying fears in over 80 The pilot project for the nation's first communities. Disaster and Emergency Warning Network (DEWN) was launched 14 The Project has been November by Dialog GSM, the specifically designed to country's largest mobile phone be culturally network. SMS and Location Based appropriate, and Technologies have been used to sensitive to the post provide this cost effective and mass disaster situation alert system. excluding any material that would cause upset or further trauma. In

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 5 November / December 2005 HIV/AIDS in Emergency Settings, produced by Water and sanitation UN Commemorates World the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), activities in Ampara comprised of UN and NGO representatives, as a AIDS Day way to see how well our tsunami response In Ampara the Water Board has activities supported the specific objective of agreed to install water tanks for the n 1 December UN staff commemorated keeping HIV risk as low as possible. During the relocated families from the OWorld AIDS Day in the UN Compound. This relief stage, many UN agency activities year's theme was "Don't Turn Your Back on Kannahipuram settlement to the supported this objective both directly and AIDS -- Make the Promise, Fight AIDS". indirectly. For example, in the health sector, the village of Thambattai in Akkaraipattu. UN's support for provision of universal 10-12 water tanks with a 1,000 liter For the first time in Sri Lanka, five people living precautions (to protect health care workers capacity each, as per requirement with HIV/AIDS spoke openly about the from infections of all kinds) and support for the assessed by ZOA will be fitted. challenges they face in their daily lives. continued access to STI diagnosis and OXFAM, as the Lead Agency for Prejudice, stigma, isolation and fear were treatment were important in minimizing the WATSAN in Akkaraipattu, common words. Their bravery to speak out chance of HIV transmission in medical settings. Alaydiwembu and Thirukkovil made a moving ceremony and timely response In the area of social protection, all UN- Divisions, was requested to oversee for all UN staff to recommit and pledge to fight supported efforts to reduce chances of sexual and monitor the operation. UNICEF HIV/AIDS. violence against women and children worked will prioritize these families by indirectly to decrease the possibility of STI and providing a family kit for each family While the incidence of HIV/AIDS is low in Sri HIV transmission. Further, by ensuring that under the current Monsoon Lanka experience from around the world has children got back into the classroom as quickly Contingency Planning. IOM shown a clear link between natural disasters as possible, the UN's support for education also identified 14 locations for well and conflict situations on the one hand, and HIV helped to protect young people from activities construction, nearly 100 locations for vulnerability on the other. The tsunami that might have put them at risk. toilet construction and 34 sites experience has been no exception leading to requiring toilet upgrades in the more vulnerability among communities. In Sri UN agencies were also able to support local Pottuvil, Akkaraipattu, and Lanka, and across the region, there has been an groups to disseminate information on Alayadiwembu divisions. increased risk of transmission of STIs and HIV HIV/AIDS and, where requested through due to a number of factors. MOHs, to provide condoms to communities where normal access to condoms had been The breakdown of traditional social structures disrupted. Both of these activities are key and family-based living arrangements, which elements in the Government's ongoing Livelihood training can make normal sexual relations between campaign to control STIs and keep HIV infection programme to reach over a couples difficult to maintain, sometimes leading low in Sri Lanka. Finally, at the request of the men to find sexual outlets outside of marriage or Sri Lankan Army, the UN was able to provide 1,000 youth regular relationships. The disruption of medical "HIV Awareness Cards" to the military, to help services, in particular provision of STI diagnosis them stay safe. Save the Children has implemented and treatment, safe blood transfusion, safe programmes aimed at providing deliveries and condoms. The interruption of Restoring livelihoods plays a key role in vocational training for youth. In the livelihoods, which has led in some areas to a reducing STI and HIV transmission risk since South, in partnership with the District reported increase in alcohol use, domestic restoration of livelihoods will reduce the Federation of Youth Clubs, over 100 violence and, in certain cases, initiation of chances that people might resort to young persons have been trained on transactional sex for survival purposes. The transactional sexual activity in order to survive. cement block making, provided with presence of large numbers of uniformed service In sectors such as fishing and agriculture, water equipment and raw materials to start personnel and humanitarian workers in the and sanitation, and reconstruction of roads and doing business. Now blocks are midst of a traumatized and often-powerless infrastructure, UN agencies plan to incorporate being sold at a lower and affordable population. basic HIV/AIDS information and education to price to tsunami-affected help communities get the facts they need to communities to rebuild their houses. In an effort to respond to these risk factors, the protect themselves from possible infection. During this three year programme, a UN HIV/AIDS Technical Working Group in early total of 1,100 young people will 2005 used Guidelines for responding to receive training on construction trades such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical wiring and welding, motor mechanism, electronics, aluminum fabrication, leather product manufacturing, fishing and marine technology, agriculture equipment and machinery repair. They will also receive on the job training. Tool kits will be given and credit facilities will also be provided for them to start self employment.

Nutrition enhancing training

FAO and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) provided nutrition enhancing training to over 1,200 beneficiaries in the tsunami-affected north and east. The training, which is provided through the Department of Agriculture's extension services, will eventually reach close to 2,000 tsunami- affected households in 57 different locations in 6 districts. Some tsunami-affected persons in the northeast who benefited from a ECHO funded FAO nutrition training programme

Page 6 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 2001, which focused on commercial sexual Combating Commercial exploitation and child sexual abuse and was an Sexual Exploitation of important first step towards action. Psycho-social initiative by IOM Children Two projects now address the issue of commercial sexual exploitation. The Sri Lanka IOM has signed a Memorandum of Tourist Board is just about to launch a national any of the areas hit by the tsunami last Understanding with the Association action plan to combat child sex tourism. The for Aid and Relief (AAR) of Japan to MDecember coincide with some of Sri plan targets both local and foreign tourists and Lanka's larger tourist resorts, located along the build infrastructure and provide contains activities such as awareness raising psycho-social support to a tsunami- western coast, stretching from Negombo, north campaigns among communities and tourists, of Colombo, to Hambantota in the South. Along affected community in the Galle the engagement of the private tourism industry, district. AAR has already identified a this coastal stretch are the towns of Bentota, capacity building among police and tourist Hikkaduwa, Galle and Tangalle, locations site to build permanent houses for 30 police and addressing gaps in legislation. There families from Morahenpitigoda, a identified as areas of high prevalence of child sex has been great interest among a range of players tourism pre-tsunami. small tsunami-affected village in to work with the Tourist Board on this project. Habaraduwa DS division. It is While the tsunami itself is not the reason for working with a local partner, the The second project addressing commercial Green Movement of Sri Lanka commercial sexual exploitation in Sri Lanka, sexual exploitation will be implemented by the weakened coping mechanisms in families due to (GMSL), to develop plans for NGO Planet Enfants, that has been working on establishing a new community in the the tsunami has increased the vulnerability of establishing a new community in the similar projects in Nepal and Morocco. It will Imaduwa DS division. children in these areas, including the risk of focus on Negombo and Anuradhapura, two being sexually exploited. Poverty is recognised areas where commercial sexual exploitation is as one of the main contributing factors for child manifested differently. In Anuradhapura there sex tourism and there is an evident risk that, in is a higher degree of abuse by locals, including UN to grant farm loans pursuit of income generating activities, these military, and children abused are mainly girls. children will be vulnerable to engagement in In Negombo, in addition to locals, the presence Some 140,000 tsunami-affected child sex tourism. of tourists, both local and foreign, poses an households will benefit from new UN increased risk to children, and it is generally agricultural development loans to Social and psychological support structures believed that male children are being abused in help replace infrastructure and were also severely damaged, and more than tourist areas such as Negombo. The objective of equipment for fishing communities, 5,000 children lost either one or both parents in this project is to set up a comprehensive as well as restore coral reefs and the tsunami. support mechanism through community-based replant vital coastal vegetation. One programmes for children who are victims of loan of 14.2 million US dollars from Tourism is now picking up again with the sexual abuse and exploitation. the UN International Fund for country as popular as a tourist destination as Agricultural Development (IFAD) will before. Mechanisms are being put in place to While there is little information available on the go towards a 33.5 million US dollar prevent potential child sex offenders from taking actual extent of the problem of commercial Post-Tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation advantage of the post tsunami situation. sexual exploitation of children in Sri Lanka, and Resource Management these concerted efforts provide valuable Programme. For the past 2 years, UNICEF has been engaging information highlighting the problem which will with Government and non-government hopefully ensure protection for all children counterparts to better understand the situation, against such exploitation. Eco-toilets in Ampara and to gauge support for action against commercial sexual exploitation of children. In (Andreas Johansson, UNICEF) In Ampara district, a workshop on August 2004, Sri Lanka hosted the mid-term ecological sanitation was held at a review of the Yokohama Global Commitment IOM transitional housing site. The participants learned about the Officer, Stephanie Bleyer. She coordinates benefits of the use of eco-toilets, or NRC is training Site services in a variety of sectors to ten transitional “dry-composting toilets”, in areas settlements in Kalutara district and has where water is scarce. Additionally, Managers participated in the NRC Site Management the construction of four wells was learning workshop. During October, NRC completed and the construction of 16 All tsunami-affected districts in Sri Lanka will conducted a Site Management learning toilets has started. WatSan benefit from site management trainings through workshop with all IOM senior district staff engineers are coordinating with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Site members, executive TAP staff from the Colombo UNICEF on contingency Officers appointed by the Transitional office and all TAP District Coordinators and assessments. Accommodation Project (TAP) and staff from Technical Officers. agencies that are delivering services to transitional settlements will take part in the With funding from ECHO, the Camp Sanitation activities by learning workshops that will be conducted in Management Toolkit is being translated to Tamil Tamil and Sinhala, as well as English. and Sinhala and will be distributed to UNICEF participants at trainings. The toolkit brings 'With the current focus on care and together information on roles and UNICEF continues to construct 300 maintenance of transitional settlements, these responsibilities in camp management, household latrines for conflict- trainings are an opportunity to increase references to international technical standards affected displaced people in 15 capacity in site management', says NRC Project and protocols on human rights and protection, District Secretariat divisions in Manager Chris Bleers. 'Through this project practical tools for daily camp operations, and Jaffna. To date, 19 toilets have been NRC is aiming to improve the management strategies for improving camp management. completed; 81 toilets are being capacity of site management teams. We also 'The Camp Management Toolkit is a very useful plastered; pits have been completed hope to see a corresponding increase in the working tool in my day to day work. I've read it for 140 toilets, however construction involvement of communities themselves in the back to back', says Stephanie Bleyer. has been suspended due to rain and management practices of transitional 60 toilets are presently at the pit settlements', Bleers explains. The project is NRC has established site management resource digging stage. In Ampara, a revised implemented in partnership with the European centres in Trincomalee and Galle, however construction target of 1,031 toilets Commission Humanitarian Aid office (ECHO). trainings and other activities will also take place has been established in order to in other tsunami-affected districts. cover the 2,400 UNHCR constructed Site managers meet a number of challenges in Assessments of existing management networks transitional shelters. As of 20 their daily work. 'The training is an excellent in transitional settlements are conducted to November, 727 toilets had been opportunity to get guidance and share identify needs for training and coaching. Post- constructed of which UNICEF experiences on how we can support community training activities like coaching, mentoring and constructed 531 toilets. The mobilization in order to create self sustaining follow-up will continue until late June next year. remaining 196 toilets were communities', says IOM Camp Management (Siri Elverland, Norwegian Refugee Council)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 7 November / December 2005 constructed by Solidarite. To date, a After the Tsunami: Brent. The lagoon could not be cleaned until total of 7,603 toilets have been October and November when the perimeter was constructed in Ampara by 14 Residents of Sri Lanka dry enough for people to walk on the silt bed. In different agencies. UNICEF has late September, staff from the American Red completed the construction of six clean their environment Cross began to work in consultation with local toilets and four bathing places at the community leaders and representatives of the Weligama transitional camp in On most days, the residents of Hambantota Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to launch a cash- Matara. could be found fishing in the Indian Ocean, for-work environmental sanitation project. playing cricket in the hot sun or chatting with Cash-for-work community clean-up provides neighbors under a coconut tree. For the past two income on a short-term basis for people who do months, many of those living in this small not have access to their traditional sources of fishing village -- located 230 kilometers livelihood. Simultaneously, it encourages Snapshot of some (approximately 143 people to clean up their constructed schools miles) south of environment after a Colombo -- have been disaster. The tsunami destroyed Randombe picking up garbage in Junior School in Ambalangoda, the Karagan Lagoon. More than 300 Galle, reopened as a completely In the early morning residents receive 400 rebuilt model school at a ceremony of December 26, rupees a day (about US$ held recently. This is the first of 25 2004, many of the 4) for six hours of work schools being rebuilt by the Rotary 20,000 residents of cleaning the lagoon. clubs of Sri Lanka. The UNICEF Hambantota lost They use everything zonal offices reported that in everything they from shovels and Ampara, nine of the 15 semi- owned to the wheelbarrows, to permanent schools have been tsunami. It swept backhoes and dump completed in Akkaraipattu. In away homes, boats, trucks to collect and Kilinochchi, four school building personal belongings dispose of the trash in a constructions have been completed and took the lives of local landfill. To date, in Mudkompan, Unionkulam, more than 1,000 they have cleaned one- Kanakaipuram and Chelliativu. residents. The lagoon third of the lagoon and Furthermore in Kilinochchi, a mobile had been a sensitive removed 2,000 cubic science laboratory service ecosystem for meters of garbage -- programme was conducted in migratory birds, fish approximately the Thunukkai Zone by UNICEF, which and other wildlife that equivalent of a pile of benefited more than 980 Grade 9 provided a source of trash is six feet deep and and 11 students from 20 schools that supplemental income covering an entire do not have science laboratory for residents who football field. K.H. facilities. In addition, 350 students either fished in the Prematilaka, secretary from four divisions participated in lagoon or collected of the Sri Lanka Red leadership training in Kilinochchi. salt from its silt bed. Cross Society, said that Now, much of the this initiative has gone a debris from the School girls take part in Red Cross supported community disaster reduction long way towards local Recent livelihood assis- tsunami wound up in progarmme by planting trees along the Negambo coast residents recovering tance by CARE, IOM and the lagoon. from the disaster "Every day people PARC "On the 25th night I was in the ocean and I was passed the lagoon, they were reminded of what

returning on the 26th morning when the the tsunami violently took from them, the loss On 23 November 2005, CARE tsunami hit," said S.P. Siyabudeen, a fisherman of personal property, of livelihoods and the loss distributed two canoes among in Hambantota. "By the time I actually returned, of loved ones. Now, they have been given the beneficiaries at Unaporuwa in it was all over. My sister, my sister's husband -- chance to earn some money, but more Tangalle. CARE has started 16 all in all six of my loved ones were lost. By the importantly, they have been given the Capacity Building programs for time I got back, they were all gone." According to opportunity to rebuild their community and CBO's (community based Aaron Brent, a water and sanitation expert with reclaim what was taken by the tsunami," said organisations) in Tangalle, the American Red Cross, local experts feared if Prematilaka. The American Red Cross will Ambalantota and Tissa in the south. the debris -- including building materials, continue to work with the residents of For this task, beneficiaries were plastic products and sewage -- wasn't cleared, it Hambantota over the next few years to improve provided with tents, water tanks, could cause long-term health concerns for the their water supply, hygiene and sanitation plastic tables and chairs. Sewalanka residents of Hambantota. "The polluted lagoon practices. In the coming weeks, the American has started micro-finance projects in was a prime breeding ground for disease- Red Cross plans to launch two more Hambantota AGA division, with loans carrying insects, putting locals at greater risk for environmental sanitation projects in the towns given for small industries, of which malaria, dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and of Tangalle and Polhena, major fishing and 35% is in the form of a grant of other serious or life-threatening illnesses," said tourism destinations in the south of Sri Lanka. Rs.35000. Ninety women from three hard hit fishing villages in the Jaffna district continue to benefit from a One Boat, Many Lives risk of neglecting the needs of workers on larger project conducted by IOM in craft, as well as those mudalalis who are not as partnership with the Japanese NGO well off. Pacific Asia Resource Centre “Not all mudalalis are rich”, says K. (PARC). The project supports Parameswaran, one of over thirty boat owners to “I used to borrow money to pay the workers women with training and education benefit from the British Red Cross' beach seine when there was no catch and to help them when about hygienic dry fish processing fishing project. they had problems,” explains Parameswaran. “I techniques. With the rainy season can only pay back the debt by fishing.” hindering the fishing and fish drying As only one person can officially own a boat, activities during the first half of many recovery programmes have focused on British Red Cross overcame the dilemma by November, PARC instead began to replacing the smaller boats of poorer, individual consulting with fishermen unions and boat concentrate on promoting the sale of fishermen. owners to agree on a beneficiary lists and more clean dried fish produced in the equitable profit-sharing deals. project and market research in However, of the 2,000 boats destroyed or Jaffna and Vavuniya districts. To help seriously damaged by the tsunami in Batticaloa, Boat owners will now pay back the cost of the empower the participating women, over a hundred were 'beach seine' boats which replacement kit amounting to some £4,500 they are also encouraged to manage offer regular work to as many as 30 people. including safety equipment. It will be paid not administrative work by themselves. to the Red Cross, but to the workers over the By targeting poorer boat owners, there was a course of five years. Most have changed their

Page 8 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 profit sharing from the usual fifty-fifty split to identify ways families can diversify or change forty per cent for themselves, sixty per cent for their livelihoods so that they have a more IOM maintained pre- the workers including a welfare fund. sustainable future ahead of them. schools begin child British Red Cross is also working with tsunami- evaluation process “New nets and a boat will help me and the and conflict-affected villages in the Batticaloa workers as there will be more fishing, more District to develop sustainable livelihoods and In Kalutara a comprehensive child income and we will be able to work disaster preparedness strategies for non-fishing evaluation process began in each continuously,” says K. Parameswaran. communities. Fishery interventions are co- IOM supported pre-school. This ordinated with other agencies to ensure needs evaluation was carried out in The next step in the three year programme is to are met but over-fishing avoided. preschools and during after-school work with Batticaloa's fishing communities to (British Red Cross) activities. It involves teachers evaluating each child on a weekly UNHCR concludes its role Lead Agency, UNHCR assisted in policy basis in relation to his/her development; reported on progress; identified attendance and general as national lead agency in gaps; clarified and monitored quality and performance in school. Presently standards; collected and disseminated seven preschools with between eight information; and most importantly, facilitated and 12 children are involved and 30 transitional shelter for to 40 children in after school communication on all levels. activities are also included. tsunami - displaced In Jaffna, 10 core groups (200 UNHCR has also constructed 4,500 transitional members including 120 women) in At a ceremony held in Colombo on 15 November shelters in Jaffna and Ampara Districts, helping conflict affected areas were formed 2005, UNHCR formally handed over over 20,000 tsunami-affected people to begin and trained to identify psycho-social responsibilities for the tsunami transitional the process of rebuilding their lives. issues and referral mechanisms by shelter sector to the Government. UNHCR has the Family Rehabilitation Centre, a supported the Government and over 100 Speaking at the handover ceremony, UNHCR local NGO partner of UNICEF. The implementing partners in the coordination and Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Amin core groups are expected to assist construction of over 55,000 transitional shelters Awad, highlighted that while the provision of community members in coping with psycho-social issues. for those displaced by the tsunami. Shortly after transitional shelter and essential upgrading is the tsunami hit the coast of Sri Lanka the almost complete, 'It is now vital that efforts by Government requested UNHCR to act as the other actors concentrate on the long term care and maintenance of transitional National Lead Agency for the shelter sector. Horticulture nurseries UNHCR accepted this role due to the severity accommodation, ensuring adequate living and scale of the disaster. As emergency standards for all those awaiting a permanent augment livelihoods accommodation (such as tents or public home.' FAO has constructed five model buildings) could only be a temporary solution, As UNHCR refocuses on the conflict displaced horticulture nurseries to enhance the UNHCR set about planning for transitional with many living in squalid camps for over a livelihoods of more than 350 shelter to bridge the gap until permanent decade - Mr Awad also recognised the need to tsunami-affected women in housing could be constructed. 'Transitional treat both displaced communities equitably. 'It Hambantota in the south. This shelter had not only to provide protection from livelihoods component of the FAO would be wonderful if the donors who so the environment,' says UNHCR Shelter tsunami emergency relief and generously contributed towards the tsunami Coordinator, Richard Dietrich, 'but also needed rehabilitation programme is part of relief programme, permitted their funds to be to be a secure, habitable living space, which two projects funded by the Italian spent not only on those directly affected by the promotes health and well-being, has access to Cooperation and the Italian Civil tsunami, but also on those indirectly affected, Protection Department. “Community water and sanitation, and provides a platform and those displaced by the conflict,' he said. horticulture nurseries enable women for re-establishing livelihoods.' There are an estimated 350,000 conflict farmer organizations to establish internally displaced persons in Sri Lanka. benefit schemes for their members Initially, UNHCR developed a Transitional and thus help women and their Shelter Strategy to provide a focused and UNHCR will now concentrate on providing households to become more food effective response to the tragedy. Lead Agencies assistance to repatriating refugees and Sri secure and earn extra income.” said were then identified for each of Sri Lanka's FAO Horticulture Expert, Giuseppe Lanka's conflict displaced communities, with eleven affected districts, aiding coordination at De Bac. The five model nurseries whom the organization has been working for both the regional and national level. As National were built by women's groups with nearly twenty years. FAO technical support in Rekawa, Wadunruppuwa, Walaw and to make demands on local and national Yodakandyia. The nurseries are What the People Think governments. In housing, there is less made by material available locally consistency of opinion on resettlement within or and they can easily be constructed The Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri outside the buffer zone. Attitude appears to and replicated by other communities. Lanka in collaboration with the Colombo depend mostly on the level of trauma associated They are designed to produce fruit, University Community Extension Centre with the tsunami and the means of livelihood of vegetable seedlings and ornamental (CUCEC), with international assistance, carried those being resettled. There is universal plants. Close to 150 women from the out a programme of Peoples' Consultations on consensus though about the need for four women's farm organisations will Post-Tsunami Relief, Rehabilitation and consultation on the buffer zone and the need for be trained to ensure the Reconstruction in Sri Lanka. Over 800 focus- community participation in rebuilding houses. sustainability of the nurseries. The group discussions were conducted in 1,100 Many believe that delivery of assistance could training component foresees the villages in 13 affected districts in Sri Lanka. have been far more efficient if it was done with training of trainers in nursery prior and proper assessment and consultation. management and marketing. These Based on the consultations' findings, issues of For example, certain communities have been trainers will then pass on the skills land, resettlement and housing appear to be the overly-compensated with fishing equipment and learnt through practical “hands on” most pressing for the affected. Communities gear; even non fishers pre-tsunami are now training to beneficiaries. tend to define normalcy and measure going to sea. Many people point a mismatch performance from the speed and efficiency by between their needs and equipment provided. which they have or will be resettled in permanent The most common illustration of this has been Mother, child nutritional housing. Across the board, there is a strong the allocation of single-day boats to those that disappointment with regard to the slow pace of need multi-day boats with storage facilities to center opened in Pattali- relief and recovery. In many of the districts in the spend longer periods of time in deep sea. puram North and East, communities' feel that armed conflict and minority status of those affected has There is a strong feeling overall that the fishing The first Day Care Centre for Mother- made them more vulnerable and less empowered industry has received adequate attention, but Child built at a cost of about 1.5

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 9 November / December 2005 often at the neglect of other industries. The sector, which in several districts was indirectly Child built at a cost of about 1.5 natural assumption between the tsunami affected due to salt-water contamination of the million rupees was opened in soil has been overlooked. Iththikulam- Pattalipuram in the disaster and the fishing industry has meant that Muttur east area in Trincomalee other industries, particularly the agricultural district. The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) through its Jaffna, lost their livelihoods and became even Trincomalee district secretariat has WFP School-Feeding more vulnerable. implemented this project with the provides incentive for funding of Tamil expatriates. The "Many children in tsunami-affected areas center provides nutritious food and children to go to school would drop out of school to look after their health care for malnourished younger siblings or get involved in income pregnant mothers and children. t is almost noon at Vettilaikerny temporary generating activities to support their families. Under this project children aged one Ischool in Jaffna and 14 year-old Sugirtha Through school-feeding WFP distributes to five and malnourished pregnant eagerly looks at the cooks outside preparing for nutritious cooked mid-morning meals to mothers are given food and cared for the mid-morning meal distribution. When her primary and secondary schoolchildren in many daily from eight in the morning till five teacher announces tsunami-affected in the evening. They are provided the break the girl's communities, which with breakfast, lunch and meal face lights up and provides an incentive packets for dinner. Parents can leave she rushes to wash for parents to send their toddlers in the centre when they her hands at the their children to go to work and collect them in the well before queuing school", explains evening after work. Two women for the hot meal. Jayaruban caretakers with a watcher have been Sugirtha feels Visvalingam, WFP employed to look after the children grateful as today's food monitor in and mothers during daytime and a rice and curry will Jaffna. cook is employed to prepare meals. keep her stomach About one hundred children and full until she eats "These meals also pregnant mothers in need of dinner at home this increase the daily nutritious food now stay in the centre. evening. Since the dietary intake of tsunami hit, children, their washing away their attention span as home and taking the well as their capacity EU upgrades roads to lives of her friends to learn during the and relatives, her school day." tsunami-affected areas family finds it hard Sugirtha is now to make ends meet. sitting with her The European Commission provided friends in the shade 35 million euros of immediate Her mother is 53 of the corrugated tin humanitarian assistance. Beyond years old and roof of the temporary relief, 40 million euros are already unemployed. Her school, chatting and being spent to rebuild part of the elder brother laughing. "When she Matara-Batticaloa road, the vital link recently received a sends me to school, to tsunami-affected areas in the boat and nets from my mother is no South and South-East. To improve an NGO and started longer worried: with the coordination of its response to fishing again; he is the food I receive at both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the the only bread school, she can be Commission has upgraded its winner of the family. sure I am eating representation in Colombo to a fully- "It's been hard for three meals every fledged Delegation, which covers fishermen here", day", she smiles. both countries. In the north and east Sugirtha explains. Surrounded by her the European Commission is "After the tsunami, friends Sugirtha is planning to spend 55 million euros to even when they were growing up with improve the livelihoods of both lucky enough to expectations like any tsunami and conflict victims. catch something, Fourteen year-old Sugirtha with her mid morning meal at school other 14 year old people in the market would not buy it as they teenager. "I want to continue studying in a were afraid the fish might have eaten dead peaceful environment and become a teacher," people." she says finishing her meal. Asian Network for Culture and Development (ANCAD) Sugirtha lives in the North of Sri Lanka, an area WFP school-feeding activities are currently shattered by the two decade long conflict covering 397 schools in Sri Lanka, providing meals to 106,000 school children in tsunami- The Sri Lanka Environmental between the Government and Tamil separatists. affected areas. (Sandra Bisin, WFP) Journalists Forum (SLEJF) has With the tsunami, many fishing communities in organized a promotional programme for top tsunami projects done or significant roles have been designated to SLRCS continuing at the moment. Through Red Cross boosts Disaster in areas of: Preparedness and Response Plans this programme SLEJF hopes to and Programs; Public Awareness, Education identify the ten best tsunami Preparedness and and Training; Community Based Risk rehabilitation projects in Sri Lanka, Management Capacity Management. Within these areas the SLRCS verify their authenticity and give has been earmarked for implementing at least them visibility via media articles, the five specific objectives which include: National internet and books which are to be One of the long term objectives of the Red Cross DP and Response planning/updating, Training distributed nationally and Red Crescent Movement (RCRC) post-tsunami in emergency preparedness and response, Risk internationally. The scheme is response is to boost Sri Lanka's capacity in reduction, Community DRM teams and organized for the commemoration of disaster management. increased access to information on Community the one year mark of the tsunami and Based initiatives. its aim is to draw attention to the The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and rd increasing number of positive On the 3 of November, the Korean Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) were part of a developments and success stories in and the Sri Lanka Red Cross commenced consultative process on the development of a post-tsunami areas. construction of the country's first fully 'Road Map for a Safer Sri Lanka', organised by dedicated National Disaster Management the Government’s Disaster Management Centre. Centre (NDMC). This state of the art centre is Following weeks of intensive planning, due for completion in December 2006. Cont...

Page 10 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 The NDMC is strategically located on land branches so that they can respond to provided by the Government near the humanitarian needs arising from future natural Early warning on impend- International Airport, major rail and road disasters. Contingency stocks of non-food relief ing dangers to child health networks. The NDMC will serve a multi- items sufficient for 9,100 families have so far functional role, serving as a central been pre-positioned in six regional warehouses WFP is currently providing fortified warehousing facility that will hold the RCRC's that include Galle, Ampara, Trincomalee, Corn Soya Blend to nearly 100,000 disaster preparedness stocks, training facility Batticaloa and Gampaha. Stocks will soon be women and children in health clinics and house the government run Early Warning distributed to warehouses in Mannar Jaffna and under its Emergency Operation. Communications Centre. Kilinochchi. As part of an integrated programme to assist Mother and Child Nutrition Hundreds of SLRCS volunteers, community At the grassroot level, the RCRC is involving (MCN) a team of graduates from the members and government officials will receive communities in disaster reduction activity. A Medical Research Institute worked theoretical and practical training in rescue and pilot project in Negombo involves school on data collected from tsunami recovery, water safety, disaster mitigation and children, community members and Government affected areas during May 2005. The other aspects of disaster preparedness and Departments in planting mangroves along data is now available on a Child management. SLRCS volunteers will also assist vulnerable coastal belts. It is expected that Nutrition Surveillance (CNS) website with the running of the early warning centre. similar projects will be replicated elsewhere that (www.cnslk.org) and is supported by ensure sustainability through community WFP and UNICEF. The website was The RCRC is also building the disaster participation. launched in September 2004 and preparedness capacity of SLRCS district aims to gain a greater understanding of the real state of child nutrition in Sri Lanka. Concurrently an early Special Envoy Bill Clinton warning mechanism was set up that will alert medical authorities of visits Kinniya impending dangers to child health. WFP MCN focal points will be trained Former US President Bill Clinton, the United to enter data into the website at Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, district level. WFP is planning to returned to Sri Lanka on 29 November to review progressively hand this system to the progress achieved since the tsunami struck last Government so that a national December. He met with key members of the Nutrition Surveillance System next government, the UN and civil society to assess year. the status of the recovery effort and how best to tackle ongoing challenges, including the quick restoration of livelihoods and the equitable distribution of aid. He also visited the northeast IOM and AAR Japan sign area of the country. This visit was President MoU to help tsunami Clinton's second visit to the country in his capacity as UN Special Envoy for Tsunami survivors in Galle Recovery. In Colombo President Clinton remarked on the status of the rebuilding effort in IOM has signed a Memorandum of the region: “Almost one year after the Understanding with the Association devastating tsunami struck the coast of Sri for Aid and Relief (AAR) of Japan to Lanka, real progress has been achieved: Ninety build infrastructure and provide per cent of children are back in school, psycho-social support to a tsunami- epidemics have been prevented and transitional affected community in Galle district. shelter has been provided to almost all internally AAR has already identified a site to displaced people.” Former US President Bill Clinton talking with tsunami-affected children and build permanent houses for 30 their teacher in Kinniya beside the destroyed mosque families from Morahenpitigoda, a The Special Envoy also undertook a field visit to small village in Habaraduwa DS Kinniya, in the north east. Here he visited the exacerbate existing inequities. Building better division. It is working with a local devastated Kinniya District Hospital where 40 homes roads and schools is essential, but it is partner, the Green Movement of Sri patients died. Plans to build a new hospital are not enough. We need to ensure that all people in Lanka (GMSL), to develop plans for currently underway. Tamil and Muslim Sri Lanka are on their way to a better and safer establishing the new community in fishermen and farmers were able to meet Mr. development path than they were prior to this the Imaduwa DS division. The Clinton on the beach where they told him about tragedy”. project will continue through June the challenges they were facing. After that he 15, 2006 and is made possible by the proceeded to the mosque where he paid a President Clinton said that he hoped that efforts Government of Japan and the Lanka special tribute to the children who died there to promote peace and reconciliation would Market Research Bureau. while they were studying that morning. prevail. “Any recovery progress achieved this year will be quickly reversed if Sri Lanka returns During his press briefing the Special Envoy said: to civil conflict,” President Clinton said. “If we are to truly build back better, we need to UNDP fortifies local ensure that the recovery effort does not authorities to meet reconstruction needs

UNDP handed over 63 tractors and trailers to local authorities' in tsunami-affected districts December 8 as part of a resource and skills enhancement project to help better handle post disaster reconstruction activities and needs. This is part of a UNDP effort to strengthen local networks in post tsunami recovery activities under the 'Capacity Development of Recovery Programme' (CADREP) with funding from the Norwegian and German governments. Secreatry to Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs D Dissanayake (left) hands over equipment, part of UNDP's CADREP to the Government Agent of Batticaloa (right) as the UNDP Country Director Abu Selim (center) looks on

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 11 November / December 2005 IOM helps Ampara youth Humanitarian Information World Vision/HIC Technical Cooperation make a new beginning A new mapping project supported by World Centre Update Vision will enable aid agencies to better target About 200 youth from the eastern their resources. Ampara district are making a new Transitional Shelter Site “Mapping project data is a great coordination beginning with help from IOM. IOM's tool on both the strategic and operational level,” vocational training project was Tracking Project (TSST) said Andrew Lanyon, World Vision's Lanka launched 10 November in Tsunami Response Team's (LTRT) Operations collaboration with the Agriculture and Launched in September the TSST is ongoing in Manager. World Vision Lanka is using these Industrial Development Foundation Ampara, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Hambantota, mapping tools to map its activities in Sri Lanka (AIDF), a Moneragala-based non- Matara & Galle either completed or nearing and identify under-resourced areas, programs governmental organization. It draws completion. 305 sites totaling 11, 047 families and coordinate better. Muslim and Tamil youth from the have been surveyed and locations of temporary Akkaraipattu, Alayadivembu and settlements have been identified. In the future Maps Thirukovil DS divisions. “This marks it can be used to identify the needs of the shelter the start of a new vocational training sites. More information can be found at HIC has expanded it's range of maps; over 375 activity in the district with a new http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka/c maps are downloadable on the web site at: partner,” says IOM's Livelihood oordination/sectoral/transitional_shelter/ind http://www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka/ Consultant Nicola Hemmings. The ex.asp mapcentre/catalogue/index.asp youth will obtain training in diverse areas like masonry, the manufacture of leather products, fabric painting and jewellery-making. “Just over half the trainees are women and fabric painting is a very popular option,” Hemmings points out. With funding from IOM, AIDF has also provided tool kits to the trainees and upon completion of the two-month- long course, they will receive on-the- job training in their respective fields. The kits are provided right at the beginning so that the participants have all the necessary tools of the trade to learn the new skill. Besides, owning the tool kits, the confidence of the trainees is boosted. Another IOM livelihood project was launched in Matara district where fifty-five women are receiving training in sewing and equipment as part of the project implemented by the Nawimana South Rural Jan Egeland UN Emergency Relief Coordinator handing over the Ampara TSST to Tilak Ranaviraja head of TAFOR Development Foundation, a community based organization (CBO). It's the second such project to Over the Waves 3 categories, 600 were then chosen be conducted by the CBO with IOM proportionately to represent each District and support. “Over the Waves” was one of the many eye brought to Colombo for the final judging. catching pieces on display at the National One hundred winners came to Colombo, Tsunami Art Competition and Exhibition which attended an artistic workshop conducted by took place from 28 October to 1 November at the the Meharees Association on 28th October Students Graduate from BMICH, Colombo. 2005 and further put creativity to work Vocational Training Three dancing figures hold hands perched on producing another piece of work collectively. Programmes in Kalutara top of waves. The picture from the Republic of These canvasses were also displayed and Maldives is one of unity and strength, of available for purchase at the exhibition. November 9 marked the graduation of 74 youth from the Kalutara district dreams and hopes being fulfilled. Children The top nine winners (3 from each category) who successfully completed from Sri Lanka and the Maldives readily took received their certificates and prizes and were vocational training programmes that brushes and paint to hand to express in elated at the prospect of making a trip to Paris were conducted in collaboration with pictures what cannot be said in words. Yes, for an Art Tour. the IOM Livelihood Development there are chaotic images of the tsunami Programme, the Technical College The proceeds from the sale of each child's trauma but there are more pictures of Kalutara and the National Pre- painting was deposited directly in to a newly School Development Foundation. communities building houses together, caring opened bank account. The proceeds from the Vocational training for participants for their families and getting back to normal sale of the canvasses were equally divided was available in five areas: everyday life. amongst all the children and also deposited in carpentry, welding, lathe work, More images than reality some may argue. to their accounts through an agreement with electrical wiring and pre-school But what is telling are the ways in which training. The specially designed Sampath Bank. training programmes lasted 20 days almost all pictures reflect a sense of optimism Several students and people visited the and culminated with an award and hope, showing villagers working together exhibition to view as well as purchase the ceremony in which participants to rebuild communities, of men, women and paintings. Each day students from an affected received a certificate of completion children, young and old, all religious faiths school were given an opportunity to present a and a tool kit relating to their newly building homes and lives out of nothing but acquired skills. The tool kits allow music, dance or drama performance at the very often their own bare hands and the them to embark on independent exhibition, which added colour and livelihood projects. Following friends that surround them. excitement to the event. This also gave more completion of the programme There was much to see through the eyes of students an opportunity to be part of the students receive on-the-job training these children. With 9,300 entries received by exhibition. experiences to sharpen the skills of the Provincial Departments and judged within the trainees and provide better See www.termsl.org

Page 12 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005 outstanding work. One winner, 24-year-old the trainees and provide better Better Homes and Gardens Sampath Kumar, was picked for the variety and opportunities for employment. This arrangement of his plants as well as for the was the second batch of students to Pride and a sense of ownership was the overall cleanliness of his area. Ruwani Malkanthi, 22, complete the vocational training feeling conveyed by transitional accommodation won for her colourful creativity, with potted residents living in Gampaha district in the programmes offered through the plants neatly arranged in front of her house to Technical College Kalutara. Western Province this October. At the beginning make a delightful entry. of the month, IOM initiated a 'Better Homes and Vocational training programmes allow participants to improve on Gardens' campaign among the 79-family Kumar told the judges of his love for growing community in Negombo. Homeowners were already existing skills, and introduce plants; before the tsunami washed away his them to new skills and technology, encouraged to tidy up their homes as well as home, he had maintained a wonderful garden. create and maintain a small, personal garden. thus creating avenues that were Malkanthi explained that she enjoyed gardening unavailable to them before. To date, Over the course of this ten-day campaign, the very much and wanted, in her words, “a place to community took on a personality of its own. 125 students have completed live that is comforting and tidy.” training and are currently enrolled in Bright yellow and blue paint was applied to on-the-job training. If you visit this community in Negombo today, The first group of about 50 youth wooden exteriors. Zinnias, marigolds, palms, you'll see vibrantly painted homes surrounded lime trees, aloe and other plants sprouted along graduated in September and is now by lush gardens with tidy communal areas that in the midst of a six-month on-the-job the pathways in a myriad of containers, from are well maintained, improving overall health plastic bags to aluminium cans. training in their respective fields. and hygiene. The objective of the campaign was Plans are underway to extend this to create a sense of unity and cooperation pilot project in vocational training to Local community-elected judges inspected the among the residents of the community by work and two residents were awarded prizes the eastern Batticaloa and beautifying their transitional homes. To further Trincomalee districts in collaboration consisting of a mosquito net and two packets of encourage this trend, all participants received vegetable seeds, in recognition of their with the Vocational Training packets of vegetable seeds. Authority.

Heavy rains owing to depression in Bay of Bengal

Twenty four hours of non stop heavy rains over the island end November caused sporadic floods in various districts. The districts mainly affected included Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Trincomalee, Killinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna, from the west, central and northern areas of the country. The floods killed six people and damaged thousands of homes, affecting many still in shelters after the tsunami. The National Disaster Management Centre says around 63,000 families were affected by the recent torrential rains and the government has allocated Rs. 6.9 million for emergency relief.

A contestant shows her garden as judges look on (Photo: IOM)

Getting the Message Home Some incidents of flooding performing. She has always been talented, in shelters dancing and singing whenever there is music on A committed team of volunteers trained by the radio.” Merlin are motivating communities and make In Akurala in the south a transitional shelter site housing 14 families is in a learning fun as part of its Health Promotion Merlin, the medical relief and health care program. Using drama and comedy, volunteers low lying area and has a blocked agency, started its Health Promotion Program in drainage system. As a result the site are taught the five key hygiene messages about transitional shelter camps in Batticaloa and disease minimisation through vector control. experienced flooding during recent Ampara. To date, more than 720 volunteers and rains. Various groups have looked individuals from 114 camps, the Ministry of Nazreina, a 14 year-old girl living in the Abiar into the matter and deduced the Health and local non-government-organisations issue is too large to handle, Project Camp in Kattankudy, Batticaloa belongs to one have been trained. In the first three months after Galle being one of them. According of the drama groups. “Before the volunteers the tsunami as part of this program, Merlin also to the TAP (Transitional started the drama group I did not understand organised clean-up drives and poster Accommodation Project) in Galle the importance of using the community campaigns, distributed over 10,000 hygiene one solution is to relocate the [temporary] toilets; because they were in a dirty kits, and provided camp cleaning equipment for settlement. condition and it was much easier to go outside. 104 sites. But we learnt that the toilets were the responsibility of the whole community, now Recently, Merlin finalised its two-year strategy In Vadamarachchi East in the together we keep them clean so that we all can for working in Batticaloa and Ampara districts. Killinochchi district people in four use them.” She said. The strategy was written to complement and camps were relocated to temporary support the Ministry of Health's policy. The shelter in common buildings. In Messages are simple. It is the teaching approach objectives include quality services, access, and Mamuni and Thalaiyadi people that has proved successful. As Nazreina's strengthening health knowledge and behaviour. moved into common halls and pre- mother suggests, “What my daughter has learnt It builds on the work already achieved by Merlin school buildings, walking back to through the drama, she implements at home. since arriving in the country at the beginning of camps to use toilets that were not She is committed to keeping our area clean. For the year. For a copy of the strategy, please flooded, during the 14-18 November me it is exciting to see her happy and contact the Information Officer at reporting period. In some instances [email protected]

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 13 November / December 2005 toilet pits have filled up to land level. People had requested tents and UNICEF has provided 144 tarpaulins UPDATE ONE YEAR ON to schools and common halls through TRO. The Deputy Provincial HUMAN TOLL Director of Services (DPDS) plans to use schools to relocate people, meaning schools would have to Number of fatalities: 35,322. (Source: Government of Sri Lanka, November 2005.) close. Solidar have repaired toilets, World Vision has given 120 tents, Number of IDPs: 516,150. (Source: Government of Sri Lanka, November 2005.) Hudec Caritas and Sewalanka distributed tarpaulins. Oxfam have 14 out of 28 districts were affected. (Source: Government of Sri Lanka, August done some sandbagging and other 2005.) agencies are working on transitional villages they have built. SHELTER

95 percent of the registered requirement for transitional shelter has been met. Coordinating to avoid (Source: Joint One-Year Report, November 2005.) flooding 2,164 permanent houses have been constructed. (Source: TAFREN, November UNICEF coordinated with TAP, 2005.) National Water Sewerage and Drainage Board, UDA and other 54,627 1st installments and 10,796 2nd installments for the homeowner driven NGOs to conduct an assessment to programme have been given. (Source: TAFREN, November 2005.) avoid flooding at the largest resettlement at Thiraimadu in Batticaloa. Subsequently, the HEALTH government has prepared a long term comprehensive plan for flood prevention. UNICEF provided 97 permanent and temporary health centers constructed. (Source: Ministry of financial support for cleaning, Health, December 2005.) deepening and widening 1.2 km of drainage re-excavation work as an Ten maternal-child health clinics completed and eight other health projects under emergency improvement of the construction. (Source: World Health Organization [WHO], November 2005.) drainage in Manmunai North DS, amounting to Rs. 2.08 million. WHO provided 100 scooters for public health nurses and 260 mopeds for public health midwives. (Source: WHO Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

Weather Center inaugurat- 90,000 odd mosquito distributed by WHO and UNICEF (Source: UNICEF/WHO, November 2005.) ed in Killinochchi 101 emergency health kits given to hospitals and clinics by UNICEF and WHO The LTTE Weather Forecasting Centre opened on 26 Nov in help 1.5 million people. (Source: UN Country Team, November 2005.) Paarathipuram, Kilinochchi. OCHA is also discussing among agencies 100,000 odd malaria rapid diagnostic kits and over 100,000 anti-malarial tablets and authorities flood prevention in provided by UN agencies. (Source: UN Country Team, November 2005.) 2006. Projects could include improvements to permanent 10,000 odd chlorine tablets, 500 chlorine testing kits, 30 bacteria testing kits, and housing, canals, ditches, removal of 900 sanitation kits given by UN agencies. (Source: UN Country Team, November military bunds, tank renovations etc. 2005.)

384,885 children between the ages of six months and five years got Vitamin A Septic tank spillage doses. (Source: UN Country Team, November 2005.) potential health hazard 43 cars, eight ambulances and two minibuses replaced lost and damaged vehicles for disease surveillance, patient care, and vector control. During the visit of OCHA to transitional shelter sites in Hambantota and Tangalle AGA EDUCATION divisions, it was observed that a potential health hazard in the form of over-flowing septic pits, required 95 per cent of children back in school. (Source: Ministry of Education and United urgent attention (Darma Kabir, Nations Children Fund [UNICEF] Sri Lanka, July 2005.) Pinwatte and Pinketiya transitional shelter sites) All responsible 281 semi-permanent schools and one permanent school constructed. (Source: agencies and health authorities were duly informed of the same. All UNICEF, November 2005.) Ministry of Health offices in the District have reported that there is an 552,096 textbooks, 114,000 school bags, 227,000 uniforms, and 50,000 desks acute shortage of fly and mosquito and chairs given to children in the first six months after the tsunami. (Source: repellents due to which they face a Ministry of Education and UNICEF Sri Lanka, June 2005.) problem of clearing transitional shelter sites of this health hazard. 3,109 school-in-a-box kits for over 200,000 children and more than 1,350 The Netherlands Red Cross came forward to meet the requirements of recreation kits distributed to some 81,000 children by UNICEF. (Source: UNICEF the District. Sri Lanka, August 2005.)

Page 14 Post - Tsunami Update UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) November / December 2005

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

3,954 children lost one parent in the tsunami. UNICEF registered 967 children who lost both parents. (UNICEF Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

FOOD

53,359 tonnes of food aid distributed to more than 910,000 people up to October and 350,000 people benefit from Vulnerable Group Feeding. (Source: World Food Program [WFP], Sri Lanka, August 2005.)

WATER AND SANITATION

100,000 odd provided with at least 15 liters of drinking water per day by UNICEF with national and international agencies. UNICEF contributed 285 water tanks, 96 water bladders holding 1,500 liters and 16 water bowsers. (Source: UNICEF Sri Lanka, November 2005)

6,200 small-scale water points rehabilitated or constructed and 650 wells cleaned. (Source: UNICEF Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

2,400 temporary and permanent toilets in schools and local communities constructed and 16 gully emptiers donated to local authorities. (Source: UNICEF Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

LIVELIHOOD

12,393 boats replaced and 9,552 boats repaired. (Source: FAO Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

250,000 families received up to two installments of cash grants worth $50 each. These World Bank supported cash grants are designed to help get people back on their feet. Up to 165,000 families have received the third installment. (Source: TAFREN, November 2005.)

FAO provided nutrition training to 1,200 tsunami-affected households. (Source: FAO Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

DAMAGES LOSSES AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE TSUNAMI

DAMAGES AND LOSSSES

90 per cent in affected areas lost their sources of livelihood. (Source: ILO Sri Lanka, June 2005.)

11,657 acres of cultivated land affected, including 27,710 home garden units, (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO]; Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, December 2005.)

65,275 houses completely damaged and 38,561 houses partially damaged. (Source: TAFREN, November 2005.)

24,185 fishing boats damaged or destroyed, which is 75 per cent of the total fishing fleet. (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO]; Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, December 2005.)

100 odd hospitals/dispensaries, Ministry of Health offices and health centers completely or partially damaged. (Source: World Health Organization [WHO] Sri Lanka, August 2005.)

195 educational facilities including universities and vocational training centers damaged with 59 schools totally destroyed and 117 partially damaged. (Source: TAFREN, August 2005.)

More than 60,000 wells contaminated or destroyed. (Source: World Bank/Asian Development Bank/Japan Bank of International Cooperation, Joint Needs Assessment.)

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Total estimated value of damages: US$ 1.5 billion. (Source: Joint Needs Assessment, January 2005.)

Total estimated needs for long-term recovery: US$ 2.15 billion.

Total funds pledged for long-term recovery: US$ 2.95 billion. Funds from NGOs comprise approximately US$ 853 million of this figure. The remainder comes from multilateral and bilateral donors. (Source: External Resources Department, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

Total funds secured for long-term recovery: US$ 2.1 billion. (Source: External Resources Department, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

Outstanding pledges (promised but not yet secured) from multilateral and bilateral donors: US$ 710 million. (Source: External Resources Department, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of Sri Lanka, November 2005.)

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update Page 15 November / December 2005 Websites on Sri Lanka’s Relief and Recovery Efforts Government of Sri Lanka Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) www.priu.gov.lk Tel: 2591118 www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka Recoverlanka www.recoverlanka.net HIC-CHA W3 www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka/coordination/www/index.asp Geolanka www.geolanka.net HIC-CHA W3 Form www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka/docs/HIC_Forms.xls Sir Lankan Taskforce for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) www.tafren.gov.lk Relief Web www.reliefweb.int For access to additional informative web links: www.humanitarianinfo.org/srilanka/infocentre/links/ Sri Lankan Department of Census and Statistics links.asp www.statistics.gov.lk/Tsunami/index.htm

UN Agency/International organization contact list World Bank Tel: 2448070 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) www.worldbank.org Tel: 2580691 www.lk.undp.org Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tel: 5331111 World Health Organisation (WHO) www.adb.org Tel: 2502841 www.whosea.org UN Center for Human Settllements (UN-HABITAT) Tel: 2580691-7 #342 United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) www.unhabitat.org Tel: 2555270 www.unicef.org United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Tel: 2580691-7 #344 Contact person: Sriyani Perera United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) www.unifem.org Tel: 2683968 International Organisation for Migration (IOM) www.unhcr.lk Tel: 5361942 www.iom.int United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Tel: 2580840 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) www.unfpa.org Tel: 2555270 www.unaids.org Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Tel: 2689363/4 United Nations Information Center (UNIC) www.fao.org Tel: 2580691

International Labour Organisation (ILO) United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Tel: 2592525 Tel: 2582798 www.ilo.org/colombo www.unops.org

World Food Programme (WFP) UN Office of the Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery Tel: 2586244 www.tsunamispecialenvoy.org www.wfp.org

Special award winner in the National Tsunami Art Competition (Grade 10-13) R. Kalhari Abeysinghe of G/Dharmashoka Vidyalaya-Ambalangoda UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Post - Tsunami Update