Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team IASC Colombo Sri Lanka SITUATION REPORT # 143 JAFFNA, KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, MANNAR, VAVUNIYA, TRINCOMALEE, BATTICALOA and AMPARA DISTRICTS 4-11 September 2008 IDP situation as reported this week by GAs Displacement after April 2006 Location Number of Families Number of Individuals Jaffna 6,129 20,736 Kilinochchi 35,331 136,190 Mullaitivu 8,917 31,080 Vavuniya 5,205 18,429 Mannar 2,754 8,623 Trincomalee 1,480 4,896 Batticaloa 4,111 15,612 Ampara 1,162 4,278 JAFFNA DISTRICT Situation update • The general security situation in the Jaffna peninsula remained tense during the week. • There is a tense situation amongst humanitarian agencies about the situation in the Vanni. Displacement/Returns • No changes reported. Sector Developments/Gaps • Following a court decision on returns to the Tellipalai HSZ, IDPs who wish to return to their places of origin within area are being registered. There seems to be a possibility that a section of the buffer zone south of the HSZ in Tellipalai will be released. However, it will be a lengthy process since mine clearance activities have not yet commenced. • In light of the development in the Vanni, the sector leads and sector working groups have started to review the contingency plans which were last updated 6 months ago. A review of the emergency stocks is also underway. KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITHIVU DISTRICTS Situation update • On September 12, a few hundred protesters, mostly IDPs, gathered in front of both the UNHCR and WFP compounds expressing concerns about the Un agencies leaving the Vanni. Negotiations with the protesters failed to enable the departure of a small convoy of INGO/UN vehicles that were scheduled to leave. • Increasing aerial bombardments in areas close to the Kilinochchi town were reported. As a result many IDPs have been on the move adding to the overall feeling of unease amongst the community. Artillery shelling close to Kilinochchi town over the past three days, as well as claymore mine attacks deep inside the Vanni area, have also been reported. • SLT phone lines outside of the Vanni have been switched off since 23 July and telephone communication within the Vanni was switched off last week. Displacement/Returns • District Secretariat of Kilinochchi reports, 3,618 families (15,225 individuals) have been registered as newly displaced in Karachchi and Kandawalai AGA divisions over the past two weeks. Sector Developments/Gaps • Following the relocation notice for UN and INGOs, all regular assistance has been disrupted or suspended. IASC CT Secretariat (UNOCHA) 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 - 11 - 4528689 Ext. 384 / Fax: +94 - 11 – 4528690 Email: ochasrilanka@un org | Web site: http://www hpsl lk | http://ochaonline un org/srilanka/ Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team IASC Colombo Sri Lanka MANNAR & VAVUNIYA DISTRICTS Situation update • The general situation has been particularly tense in Vavuniya due to the attack on the Special Forces Head Quarters (SFHQ) in the early hours of 09 September. Public movement in Vavuniya was restricted the entire day. • Procedures at Medawachchiya and at checkpoints on the A14 road continue to hinder humanitarian operations with delays in movements which in turn result in price increases and construction material shortages in Mannar. • Neither mobile phones nor CDMA phones are functioning in Mannar district. In addition, interruptions in the electricity supply to town and surrounding villages continue. • Mobile telephone coverage is activated in Vavuniya district between 1800 – 0000 hrs. Displacement/Returns • There was no change to the IDP population at Sirukkandal IDP site with 101 families (211 individuals), whereas 219 families (499 individuals) are accommodated in the Kallimoddai site. • Return of IDPs to Musali division is scheduled to start from 6 – 9 September, initially by the registration of potential returnees and then with visits of heads of department and relevant Grama Niladaries from 10-13 September. Head of families’ ‘Go & See” visits are scheduled from 15–21 September and returns are to take place from 22-28 September. Sector Developments/Gaps • The Musali IDP return plan was finalized by Government authorities. However, de-mining has not yet been finalized. UNDP Mine Action awaits the Ministry of Nation Building request letter to conduct the survey in Musali DS and issue the low risk certificate before residents return. TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT Displacement/Returns • On 9 September, a meeting was organized by the Muttur DS to discuss the next resettlement plans and movements to Kattaiparichan South, Cenaiyoor and a part of Navarathipuram, areas which have been recently released from the Muttur HSZ. The meeting was attended by relevant authorities, including the police and navy, UN agencies, ICRC and I/NGO’s. The navy has recently taken over responsibility from the SLA for resettlement areas in Muttur East. Returns to the newly released areas have been decided to take place after the navy assessed the area, low risk certificates are issued, and an UN Joint Assessment is conducted. The UN Joint Assessment is scheduled to take place on 16 September and depends on issuance of a low risk certificate for Kaddaiparichchan South. • Following the most recent returns to the Nalloor GN in Muttur East DS, the number of IDPs remaining in the district is now reported by the DS to be 1,480 families (4,896 persons). Sector Developments/Gaps • Food distribution to Uppural and Seenanvelli was delayed due to access constraints. Heavy rains, which damaged the bridges at Muttuchcheani and Silvanagar in Eachchilampattu and Seruvula divisions and did not allow heavy trucks to cross the river. The Seruvila Multi Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) managed to transport the commodities through Paddalipuram with permission from the Security Forces. Food has been distributed in Uppural on 5 and 6 September. • The Shelter meeting on 10 September discussed needs at the the newly released resettlement areas of the HSZ. The Coordinating Director of the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services stated that most houses in Kattaiparichan South and Cenaiyoor are partly damaged. Agencies are being identified to repair the damaged houses. • NRC held a counseling clinic at the Kilivetty transit camp on 9 September and a land issues clinic in Pallikiddiyuruppu on 11 September. • Drought conditions combined with endemic water scarcity is straining water supply access in resettlement areas of Muttur East. Although agencies and local authorities currently are bringing sufficient drinking water into resettlement areas, hygiene and other purpose water requirements are a problem. Agencies and local authorities are looking at medium term solutions until the NWSDB water system plan is completed. IASC CT Secretariat (UNOCHA) 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 - 11 - 4528689 Ext. 384 / Fax: +94 - 11 – 4528690 Email: ochasrilanka@un org | Web site: http://www hpsl lk | http://ochaonline un org/srilanka/ Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team IASC Colombo Sri Lanka BATTICALOA DISTRICT Situation Update • The overall situation in the district generally remains stable, but with continued protection concerns. • Mobile phone and CDMA phone coverage in the Batticaloa Town area was halted from the morning of 09 September to the evening of 10 September. Displacement/Returns • According to government statistics, the number of IDPs remains unchanged at 15,612 individuals (4,111 families). • The GoSL is organizing a resettlement movement of IDPs to Koravely GN division in Kiran DS on 11 September, where 545 families (2,277 individuals) are expected to return to their village of origin. Sector Developments/Gaps • Handicap International (HI) is implementing a new project with the Ministry of Health in the Eastern Province to reinforce capacities of health and rehabilitation professionals including mid-wives at the district, division and community level in Prosthetics and Orthopedic services, delivery, early identification/detection, referral and follow up systems of person with disability or injuries. • The report on the Joint Assessment conducted in Vadamunai and Uththuchenai GN divisions in Kiran DS division was shared among humanitarian actors in the district. Findings of the assessment include: road conditions are relatively good, although approximately 5km is narrow, making it difficult to navigate; water from dug wells can be used for drinking purposes, though wells need proper cleaning, there have been no health facilities in the areas prior to displacement and people would usually travel to the District Hospital in Welikanda or Base Hospital in Valaichenai for treatment and follow up. Recommendations were put forward for consideration and support by relevant agencies. AMPARA DISTRICT Situation Update • The security situation in Ampara remains relatively stable. However there are isolated shooting and disappearance cases being reported and it was widely noticed that unidentified armed group operations throughout the district are directly impacting civilian life. Displacement/Returns • No displacement reported. Sector Developments/Gaps • The GoSL request for paddy seed provision to 8,000 families in Ampara within a 7-10 day timeframe is being reviewed. Joint recommendations to agencies in Colombo regarding the request and formation of a UN District Team Working Group (UNDT WG) on Return and Resettlement were discussed at a UN meeting on 08 September. *