150 route de Ferney, P.O. Box 2100 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland

Tel: 41 22 791 6033 Fax: 41 22 791 6506 e-mail: [email protected] Appeal Coordinating Office

Sri Lanka

Assistance to Riot Affected Communities ASSL-32 Appeal Target: US$ 21,119

Geneva, 6 June 2003

Dear Colleagues,

Muttur, in Trincomalee district on the north- eastern coast is an area where Muslims and have coexisted peacefully. But the two decade long violent ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils in had a severe impact in this area and its mixed communities.

Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed more than a year ago, between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka, this violent ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils in Sri Lanka subsided substantially raising hope for lasting peace. It also meant that both Muslims and Tamils were now able to access freely each others areas, the so called “cleared” and “un-cleared” areas representing the areas under the control of Sri Lankan forces and those under LTTE control respectively.

However, since the signing of this MOU, the conflict between the Muslim and the Tamil community, that had laid dormant for some time, begun to re-emerge in certain areas. Recently two riots have taken place between the Muslims and Tamils in the Muttur area, the latest one being the most severe. These riots were triggered by the disappearance of two Muslims who went into an un-cleared area. The disappearance was blamed on the Tamil community which refuted the claims. The situation very quickly got out of control and the Government had to impose a 24-hour curfew and send additional security forces to the area. Eight regions of Muttur were very badly affected.

ACT member, the National Council of Churches, Sri Lanka (NCCSL) is proposing a relief and rehabilitation programme comprising: dry rations, mats, house repair materials and mediation facilitation. The relief assistance has already been implemented and it is hoped that those expenses can be recovered through this appeal.

ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland. Assistance to Riot Affected 2 ASSL-32 Appeal

Project Completion Date: 30 September 2003

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested

US$ Total Appeal Target(s) 21,119 Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd. 0 Balance Requested from ACT Network 21,119

Please kindly send your contributions to the following ACT bank account:

Account Number – 240-432629.60A (USD) Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together UBS SA PO Box 2600 1211 Geneva 2 SWITZERLAND

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel. +4122/791.60.38, e-mail address [email protected]) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

For further information please contact: ACT Director, Thor-Arne Prois (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or ACT Appeals Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916)

ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org

John Nduna Acting Director, ACT

Assistance to Riot Affected 3 ASSL-32 Appeal

I. REQUESTING ACT MEMBER INFORMATION

National Christian Council of Sri Lanka(NCC/SL)

II. IMPLEMENTING ACT MEMBER & PARTNER INFORMATION

The membership of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka consists of the following Churches and Institutions.

Member Churches:- – Diocese of Colombo Church of Ceylon – Diocese of Methodist Church of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya Church of South India Dutch Reformed Church The Salvation Army The Presbytery of Lanka

Member Institutions Young Men’s Christian Association(YMCA) Young Women’s Christian Association(YWCA) Ceylon Bible Society Christian Literature Society(CLS) Student Christian Movement

The National Christian Council of Sri Lanka has been in existence for approximately forty-five years and promotes joint action in many areas of the life and witness of the churches. Peace & Reconciliation, Relief & Rehabilitation, Christian Education, Communication, etc. are some concerns where the Council generally co-ordinates the activities on behalf of all its members. However, the members are also free to initiate activities on their own. The churches and institutions belonging to the members are spread throughout the work area and greatly enhance the implementation capacity.

Since 1983 the Council has been systematically involved in relief and rehabilitation work in all affected areas in the country and has a separate unit to implement such work serving all communities. It is also recognised by the State as an approved organisation to work in the “un-cleared areas”.

For this proposal the implementing partners will be: the Department of Social Response Committee and the Methodist Church Trincomalee.

III. DESCRIPTION of the EMERGENCY SITUATION

Background Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed more than a year ago, between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka, the two decade long violent ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils in Sri Lanka subsided substantially raising hope for lasting peace. But the conflict between the Muslim and the Tamil community, laid dormant for some time, began to emerge in certain areas.

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Muthur, in Trinco district on the north-eastern coast is an area where Muslims and Tamils coexist. The communities have been dependent on each other for day to day trade, cultivation and employment. There are “cleared” and “un-cleared” areas representing the areas under the control of Sri Lankan forces and those under LTTE control respectively. The Muslim population number more than Tamils in cleared areas while the “un-cleared” area are totally Tamil. With the signing of the MOU, the Muslims were able to go freely to their fields in the un-cleared areas, and the Tamils could go to the cleared areas without difficulties.

However, since the signing of MOU, two riots have taken place between the Muslims and Tamils, the latest one being the most severe. In April 2003, two Muslims who went into the “un-cleared area” were reported missing. For three weeks there were frantic searches with no success. The Muslim community suspected that the LTTE had abducted them, claiming that they had good reason for their suspicions. However, the LTTE denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the mother of one of those missing persons committed suicide. This prompted some members of the Muslim community to react by abducting one of the Tamils and beating him up. Both sides were by this time agitated and violent riots broke out between the two communities. The situation very quickly got out of control and the Government had to impose a 24-hour curfew and send additional security forces to the area. Eight regions of Muttur were very badly affected.

As a result of the riots electricity supply lines to Muttur were damaged and the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction estimates that about 8, 314 families has been affected in 20 villages. Since the NCCSL has gained credibility for its neutrality, and social concerns, it was possible for the Priest in Trinco to initiate relief work to the affected people and to successfully play the role of mediator between the Muslims and Tamils.

Current Situation Tamils took refuge in a Methodist and Catholic church in Muttur, and in four schools, namely Kiliveddy Maha Vidyalayam, Paddithidel Tamil Vidyalayam, Mallikaitivu Tamil Vidyalayam and Chenaiyoor Maha Vidyalayam. The Muslims took refuge in schools near the Sri Lankan Army camps. In their haste to flee the violence, people took only a small amount of food or nothing. Those sheltering in the above churches and schools needed dry rations milk foods and mats to survive until such time that they could return to their own homes. NCCSL, through its member church in Trincomalee, provided immediate relief to those affected in the Muttur area with direct involvement of the Methodist Churches in Trincomalee and Muttur.

Impact on Human lives The final death toll is 5 civilians with 9 seriously injured and a further 18 slightly injured. Of these, 27 were men and 5 were women. In all 8, 314 families were affected of whom about 3,180 families were displaced; the latter figure kept increasing as the tensions grew. The food situation was serious as all the shops, including the co-operative society shops in Muttur were closed. The NCC/SL Co-ordinator in Trinco immediately arranged for food assistance and followed up with milk food and mats for needy families. A lorry load of essential food and milk food items, escorted by the security forces, was sent to Muttur from Trinco.

Not only did IDPs lack food but they were also in dire need of water and sanitation. For instance, over six hundred people were sheltered at the Methodist church where there were only 3 latrines and a water well. Medical facilities and ambulances were not available and NCC/SL assisted in the transportation of injured people to the nearest hospital which is three hours drive away. Only after a week, were ambulances on the scene.

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Description of Damages A number of houses and shops were burnt and looted. Details are given as below: Houses totally destroyed 103 Houses looted 310 Houses damaged 76 Houses with shops destroyed 12 Shops destroyed 29 Houses with shops damaged 2 Shops damaged 5 Houses with Shops looted 1 Shops looted 01

Locations for the Proposed Response The locations selected for assistance are in the Muttur region in Trincomalee District in north-eastern Sri Lanka. The targeted villages are: Muttur town, Alimnagar, Jinnahnagar, Paddithedal, Pachchanoor, Malikaithevu, Kliveddy, Asathpalli, Chennaiyoor and Ralkuli. There people sought refuge in churches and school buildings, while some even took refuge under trees using their clothes and bed sheets as tents. Others remained in the open air without any shelter.

NCC/SL’s aim was to provide dry rations to those who were most affected, vulnerable and receiving no other assistance in both communities. Around 1,200 families were in a deplorable and desperate situation and NCCSL was requested by the security forces to work on bringing about a reconciliation and to provide needed assistance to those in need in both communities.

Relation to the work done through other organisations Usually, the work done through NCCSL is a co-ordination of the GA (Government Agent) and the village head men. However, in Muttur, most of the officers fled the scene following the riots and NCCSL had to carry out the assessment. The churches brought all village headmen together for co- ordinated action. There was only one other NGO (ZOA) a Dutch NGO, that helped along with the Government officials.

NCCSL provided the initial assistance until assistance from the Government materialised. NCCSL then continued to assist those who were in remote areas still awaiting help. The NCC SL also co- ordinated the relationship between the Government security forces and the LTTE in the liaison of extending relief. All relief work is co-ordinated through the Government agent to avoid duplication.

IV. GOAL & OBJECTIVES

Goal To respond to the acute needs of those internally displaced due to the riots, belonging to both communities, i.e. Muslims and Tamils and to assist them in rebuilding the communities and mutual trust.

Objectives Provide immediate food relief in the form of dry rations and milk items. To facilitate mediation between the leaders of the affected communities. To assist those who have no means with the repair of damaged housing

V. TARGETED BENEFICIARIES

1,369 of the most vulnerable families (4,262 persons – 1,786 Muslims and 2,476 Tamils) were selected, many of them comprising children, expectant mothers and the elderly.

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Criteria for Selection Poorest and most vulnerable of the displaced and those occupying schools, churches and camps Expectant and lactating mothers and most vulnerable children

Selection of families was done in co-operation with the Government Divisional Secretary through Grama Sevaka and the Community Base Organisation (CBO) in each village.

VI. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE & IMPLEMENTATION

Crisis Phase Assistance Relief Assistance: Dry rations issued to 1,369 families, to the worth of Rs. 642.50 per family as follows: 4 kg rice, 1 kg dhal, 1 kg sugar, 250 g tea, 1 large tin of fish, 500 g dry fish, 1 soap and 5 kg flour.

Milk food packets: The most vulnerable and affected children along with expectant mothers were prioritised for provision of milk food: one packet (costing Rs 110) issued to each of 360 families.

Mats: 475 mats were issued for those who did not have any, each mat costing Rs. 125.00.

The NCCSL R & R Unit carried out the crisis phase assistance on 17 and 18 April 2003. The Methodist Church Trincomalee took care of purchasing (on a credit basis for payment within 2 weeks) in Trincomalee and organised the transport and distribution on the same day as purchased. The church in Muttur was used for storage. Security forces provided protection during transportation and distribution of goods.

Dry rations were issued to the camp in bulk where the goods (rice, flour, sugar, dry fish, tinned fish, matches, and tea) were repacked in family packages and handed over to the Grama Sevaka. Milk foods (for the expectant and lactating mothers) and mats were distributed separately. This work was mostly carried out by volunteers.

The distribution was checked against the master list of identified beneficiaries, with the assistance of the Grama Sevaka (village headman).

Post crisis assistance: House repairs During the next three months it is proposed to assist in the reparation of at least 40 of the most damaged houses/buildings. Also the selection of the families for house repair assistance was carried in co-operation with the Government Divisional Secretary through Grama Sevaka and the Community Base Organisation (CBO) in each village.

Building materials including asbestos sheets, crafter, cement, sand and bricks to the value of around Rs 22,000 will be provided. The beneficiaries themselves will provide unskilled labour with church members assisting if the need arises.

Should the funding be insufficient to cover the planned project, then attempts will be made to raise additional funds amongst local church members. Failing this, those materials that can be bought will be divided amongst the beneficiaries and they will have to provide the rest themselves.

Towards the end of this post crisis assistance a representative of NCCSL will evaluate the work carried out.

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Mediation The NCCSL co-ordinator in Trinco will be responsible for arranging meetings and facilitating the mediation process with leaders of both communities as well as with the security forces. NCCSL will meet separately with the leaders of the disputing parties and then be present when they meet each other.

Transition The Methodist Church Trincomalle has always played an important role in maintaining peace and harmony between the Muslim and Tamil community. This will continue in the future.

VII. ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, MONITORING & REPORTING

Administration and monitoring All Relief and Rehabilitation work is directly monitored by a committee specially set up for this purpose. This committee will be responsible for the overall administration and monitoring of the project and will make all policy decisions. On the advice of this committee, the General Secretary and the Treasurer of the NCCSL will be responsible for disbursement of funds, financial control, audit etc.

In the field, the project will be spearheaded by the Superintendent Minister (SM) of the Trinco Methodist Church with a local project and field officer.

Finance The Finance department of the NCCSL will monitor the disbursement of funds and will be responsible for accounting and audit. The General Secretary will be responsible for the final reporting along with the audit to the ACT partners.

Signatories to the cheques will be the SM and the circuit steward who will hand the money to the treasurer. The project and field officers will provide all the necessary invoices corresponding to expenses. The circuit steward will monitor finances and the SM will be in charge of overall supervision and reporting to NCCSL.

VIII. IMPLEMENTATION TIMETABLE

Relief phase: April Rehabilitation: June to 30 September 2003.

IX. CO-ORDINATION

Relief work implementation was done in consultation with the security forces and the LTTE. The post crisis assistance would be done in consultation with respective village grama sevakas.

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X. BUDGET

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE

Description Type of No of Unit Cost Budget Budget Unit Units LKR LKR US$ DIRECT ASSISTANCE Crisis Phase Nutritional feeding Family 1,369 642.50 878,898 9,252 Mats Unit 475 125 59,375 625 Milk food Family 360 110 39,600 417 Post Crisis Phase Shelter Rehabilitation Family 40 22,085 883,400 9,299 Psycho-social inputs Lump sum 35,000 368 TOTAL DIRECT ASSISTANCE 1,896,273 19,961

MATERIAL TRANSPORT, STORAGE, WAREHOUSING & HANDLING Internal transport Dry rations from Trinco to Muttur trip 2 5,000 10,000 105

PERSONNEL, ADMINISTRATION, OPERATIONS & SUPPORT Staff Salaries Project staff Lumps sum 30,000 316 Volunteer stipends/honorariums Lump sum 10,000 105 Staff travel Lump sum 40,000 421 Office stationary Lump sum 5,000 53 Telephone & Fax Lump sum 5,000 53 Admin & ops support Lump sum 10,000 105 TOTAL PERSONAL, ADMIN, OPS & SUPPORT 100,000 1,053

TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 2,006,273 21,119

Notes: a) Food & lodging, evaluation and auditing expenses will be borne by NCCSL. b) The entire manpower required for this programme will be taken from NCCSL volunteers and paid staff. c) Storage facilities, handling, etc. will be met through the voluntary infrastructure.