Inter-Agency IASC Standing Committee Country Team Colombo Sri Lanka SITUATION REPORT # 146 JAFFNA, KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, MANNAR, VAVUNIYA, TRINCOMALEE and BATTICALOA DISTRICTS 25 September - 02 October 2008 IDP situation as reported this week by GAs Displacement after April 2006 Location Number of Families Number of Individuals Jaffna 6,125 20,724 Vadamarachci East 1,942 7,640 (now displaced to Mullaitivu) Kilinochchi 18,143 66,707 Mullaitivu 35,655 147,313 Vavuniya 5,360 18,972 Mannar 2,804 8,751 Trincomalee 1,480 4,896 Batticaloa 3,347 12,551 Ampara 1,162 4,278 JAFFNA DISTRICT Situation update • The overall atmosphere across Jaffna District remained tense during the period under review. Shelling and aerial attacks towards LTTE lines in Poonaryn and Muhumalai continued. • The local news papers said that the newly constructed power station in Chunnagam is expected to be opened by the end of the month. This will bring an end to the existing power cuts in the peninsula. Displacement/Returns • Registration of IDPs from the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Tellipalai continued during the reporting period. IDPs from all GS Divisions, who wish to return to their places of origin, have been encouraged to register. However, only a small part of the HSZ has been identified for return. The security situation, combined with the need for de-mining, is likely to delay the return process. • Regarding the earlier reported proposed return of some 20 families to their homes close to the buffer zones, individual assessments are ongoing. Whilst most families had expressed interest in return, houses are either severely damaged or destroyed and continued safety and security concerns are impacting return decisions. • Several NGOs and UN agencies are supporting the local government in setting up a relocation site for residents of the Kampanai welfare centre who need to vacate the centre due to the landowner request. Sector Developments/Gaps • Given the escalation in the conflict in the Vanni, sector leads and working groups are updating contingency plans for Jaffna District. KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITHIVU DISTRICTS Displacement/Returns • Nearly all of Kilinochchi’s residents are reported to have vacated to Mullativu District due to shelling and air attacks in the heart of the district. Sector Developments/Gaps • A convoy carrying 655 MT of food crossed the Omanthai border on 02 October, to provide food assistance to approximately 200,000 civilians displaced between Kilinochchi and Mullativu. The convoy consisted of Rice – 279.75 MT, Dhal – 38.0 MT, Wheat flour – 304.5 MT and Vegetable oil - 38.389 MT and will provide for 6 days of rations. Food will be distributed in four locations (Puthukudiyiruppu (PTK), Kandavalai, Dharmapuram and Mulliyavalai) to the east of Kilinochchi, where the majority of displaced civilians are now concentrated. The convoy was accompanied by 7 UN international staff, who will monitor the initial distribution. The convoy was IASC CT Secretariat (UNOCHA) 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 - 11 - 4528689 Ext. 384 / Fax: +94 - 11 – 4528690 Email: [email protected] | Web site: http://www.h psl.lk | http://ochaonline.un.org/sri lanka/ Inter-Agency IASC Standing Committee Country Team Colombo Sri Lanka reduced from 60 trucks to 51 after explosives and other illicit items were discovered on government-provided trucks that were due to join the convoy. The UN has reiterated that humanitarian convoys are protected under International Humanitarian Law, and has condemned the attempt by unknown persons to disrupt the aid effort. Plans are underway to dispatch another convoy next week. As of 3 October, 29 trucks have been offloaded and the concurrent distribution of food is in progress. • The GoSL reported that it plans to facilitate weekly convoys of humanitarian food relief and also build up a buffer stock in the Vanni. It is also reported that 15-20 lorries are sent daily, which include supplies (food, clothing, animal feed, fertilizer, kerosene) for the general Vanni population. The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has indicated that it will facilitate the return of the empty trucks through Omanthai to support a regular flow of humanitarian supplies. • The Ministry of Resettlement reports that it is providing hot meals for newly displaced IDPs for a period of one week, allocating Rs. 36 million for Mullaitivu, Rs. 9 million for Kilinochchi and Rs. 3 million for Vavuniya over the last three months. For IDPs displaced prior to 2006, the Ministry has provided rice, flour and sugar worth Rs. 51.2 million for the Kilinochchi district, Rs. 56 million for the Mullaitivu district and Rs. 8 million for Vavuniya district for the past 3 months. A further allocation to ensure supplies until December 2008 will be dispatched before 15 October 2008. MANNAR & VAVUNIYA DISTRICTS Situation update • The situation in Vavuniya and Mannar District remains tense and volatile. Security forces are on high alert and cordon and search operations are regularly conducted. • Restrictive procedures at Medawachchiya and at checkpoints along A14 road continue. Displacement/Returns • Fifteen families (50 individuals) fled Mullaitivu by sea and arrived in Pulimoddai, where they were transported to Sirukandal in Mannar. The IDP population at Sirukkandal is 119 families (265 individuals). The Kalimoddai site accommodates 217 families (497 individuals). • Restriction on movement continues for IDPs living at the Kalimoddai and Sirukundal camps. Sector Developments/Gaps • The ICRC plans to distribute 100 tarpaulins in the Mannar district prior to the start of the rains. Tarpaulins will be prioritized for IDPs who have been in camps for more than 6 months. • GA office – Vavuniya continues to clear land at Manik Farm, which is one of the three emergency accommodation sites identified to accommodate a possible influx of people from LTTE controlled areas. TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT Situation update • The security situation in Trincomalee District remains calm except in areas north of Trincomalee which border Mulaittivu District, where confrontations between the LTTE and SLA continue. • A UXO found by child animators in the Nalloor re-settled location was referred to the District Mine Action Office. • On 02 October, Member of Parliament and Senior Presidential Advisor, Basil Rajapaksa undertook a one day visit to the district and visited resettlement areas of Muttur DS division. Displacement/Returns • On 30 September a “Go & See” visit was organised to Kaddaiparichan South and Chenaiyoor, Muttur DS for IDPs residing in Batticaloa. • On 25 September, 37 people (6 families) from Mullativu arrived by boat in Pullmondai, Kuchchavali DS division and were transferred to Mannar. • On 29 September 13 people from Mullativu arrived in Kuchchaveli and were transferred to Mannar the following day. Sector Developments/Gaps • The UN Joint Assessment mission of Kaddaiparichchan South and Chenaiyoor GNs on 25 September indicated that families would not be able to access their agricultural land for security reasons. Yet, access to paddy land is critical to enable people to plant paddy by mid November in order to ensure a rice harvest for the Maha planting season in March/April 2009. In addition, paddy cultivation in Geneshapuram and Chenaiyoor is largely dependent upon tank irrigation, most of which have not been maintained for more than two years and in need of rehabilitation. Agricultural inputs for paddy cultivation, other Field Crops and vegetables are a priority to mitigate against longer term dependency of food assistance. IASC CT Secretariat (UNOCHA) 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 - 11 - 4528689 Ext. 384 / Fax: +94 - 11 – 4528690 Email: [email protected] | Web site: http://www.h psl.lk | http://ochaonline.un.org/sri lanka/ Inter-Agency IASC Standing Committee Country Team Colombo Sri Lanka BATTICALOA DISTRICT Situation Update • The situation in the district remained generally stable, although with reports of violent incidents involving armed persons. Displacement/Returns • Government statistics of 25 September indicate the number of IDPs in the district as 12,551 individuals (3,347 families). • On 24 September, GoSL organized a ‘Go and See’ visit of IDPs to Veppavettuwan and Periya Pullumalai areas in Chenkalady DS division where resettlement is expected to take place this month. Around 50 IDPs of Veppavettuwan participated although no IDPs from Periya Pullumalai joined the visit. The Government is organizing another “Go & See” visit for Pullumalai IDPs on 03 October 2008; these visits were facilitated by UNHCR upon the Government’s request. • The Government is planning to resettle IDPs to Veppavetuwan GN division in Chenkalady DS division, tentatively to take place on 10 October 2008. • From 30 September - 01 October, GoSL organized a ‘Go and See’ visit for 13 IDPs of Chenaiyoor and Kattaiparichchan South in Trincomalee district; UNHCR facilitated transport for the visit. Sector Response JAFFNA DISTRICT Sector Organization Location Activity Protection DRC Chavakachcheri, Tellipallai Extremely vulnerable households, Navatkuli, Kuruvalai WC provided livelihood assistance MineAction DDG Chava, Jaffna, Kayts , Karaveddy, Kopay DS De-mining ongoing – 9 sites, Cleared– 3,554m , , BAC – 5,514m, Recovered- 24 AP, 6 UXO HALO Trust Chava, Kopay DS De-mining ongoing – 8 sites, Cleared - 8,401 m 2 , Recovered – 21 AP, 32 UXO DMAO Kayts AGA Handed over 2 sites, Area Released to Beneficiaries = 23,065 m 2 Chavakachcheri, Kopay DS External Quality Checks –