SITUATION REPORT # 104 KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, MANNAR, VAVUNIYA, TRINCOMALEE, BATTICALOA and AMPARA DISTRICTS 06-13 December 2007 IDP trends as reported this week by GAs Location Number of families Number of individuals Killinochchi 13,219 50,994 Mullaitivu 9,068 32,370 Vavuniya 3,071 10,302 Mannar 6,170 23,105 Trincoamlee 664 2,187 Batticaloa 7,029 26,392 Ampara 1,502 5,564 KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITIVU DISTRICTS Situation update • The situation in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts remains tense due to continuing aerial attacks as well as claymore mine attacks. Displacement/Returns • Fighting between the SLA and LTTE has reportedly resulted in new displacements in the Manthai West areas. Displacement figures have not yet been made available by the relevant authorities. Sector Developments/Gaps • The continuing limitations on cement and steel imports to the Vanni continues to severely hinder construction activities, particularly in the shelter and WASH sectors. MANNAR & VAVUNIYA DISTRICTS Situation update • The situation in Mannar remains tense. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been unable to obtain the necessary security guarantees required for a return to the Uyilankulam (UK) checkpoint. • Restrictive procedures at checkpoints along the A14 road continue. • The Musali Division remains inaccessible and Mannar-based agencies have not been able to access the increasingly large caseload of IDP in Manthai West due to the closure of the UK checkpoint. • Security Forces Head Quarters Wanni granted permission for only 10,000 of the 30,000 requested liters of diesel and 333 of the 1,000 liters of petrol as the December quota for UN operations in Killinochi and Mullaitivu. Sector Developments/Gaps • Limitation on importation of construction materials continues to impact sanitation, which has become an urgent issue in Manthai West, Mannar. • The Adampan hospital was relocated to Vellankaulm in Manthai west due to shelling. The RDHS indicated that there is a further need for two semi-permanent structures to accommodate OPD and in-patients. • 30 November, the SLA ground commander stopped the construction of semi-permanent houses at the Kalmadu relocation site in Vavuniya by the Sewa Lanka Foundation (SLF), for security reasons. The GA, UNHCR and SLF are lobbying to resume this work. • RDHS-Mannar reported that closure of the Uyilankulam checkpoint is increasing travel costs for the majority of health workers as 90% of staff working in Manthai west now must travel from Mannar Island through the A9 road. To address the problem, salary increases by a proposed 50%, were recommended. The RDHS has requested support from agencies and NGOs. • RDHS-Mannar conducted a base line survey screening IDPs from Silavathurai, Arippu, Murungan, Mulliulam and Pandaraveli PHM areas. • UNHCR and its protection partners continue to monitor Musali IDP sites in Nanattan and advocate for the protection of IDPs and returnees. IDPs continue to indicate a desire to return home as soon as possible and also express concerns about their property in places of origin. TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT Situation update • The situation remains tense with search operations at the checkpoints and cordon and search in parts of the district including Trincomalee town. • Heavy rains expected in November, finally arrived on 12 December. The late rains have affected paddy cultivation. • An ECHO Colombo delegation visited the Trincomalee district from 11 to 13 Dec 2007. Visits included the GA, OCHA and UNHCR, ICRC, DRC, NRC, and ZOA project sites. The visit objective was to assess priorities for 2008. • UNHCR led an AGDM participatory assessment from 11 to 13 Dec. 2007 in Eachchilampahtai, Seruvila, Kiliveddy/Pddithidal, Arganagar locations with participation from various agencies. Displacement/Returns • ICRC reported that a total of 75 IDPs families returned to Seenanveli and 61 to Uppooral on 30 November and 1 December 2007. While 26 families are back in their original locations, the remaining families are accommodated in ICRC-provided temporary shelter provided, unable to return to their original locations due to land issues (see also sitrep 103). Discussions on land issues are being held with the DS, Seruvila and SLA. Sector Developments/Gaps • 10 Dec, a joint assessment was conducted with UNICEF and education authorities in Upporal and Seenanveli and focused on filling immediate as well as intermediate gaps. • ZEO Muttur will arrange for a second sitting of term exams for all the children at Seenanveli. • The Secretary of Education confirmed that the children that were unable to sit their O’ level exams this week due to resettlement will have to wait until next year, as arrangements can only be made for a second exam if large number of children are affected. Both education authorities and UNICEF are lobbying for resettlement to take place in a manner that doesn’t disturb student’s education to this extent in future. BATTICALOA DISTRICT Situation update • The security situation remains tense with the presence of armed non-state actors. Although not all cases are reported due to fear of reprisals, abductions, killings and daily harassment of civilians continue. Displacement/Returns • IDP figures as of 13 December remain at 26,392 individuals (7,029 families) Sector Developments/Gaps • WFP highlighted at the food coordination meeting that there is a gap of 70 per cent in complimentary food assistance • MSF is winding down activities in Batticaloa by 31 Dec 2007. MSF reports that there are no major health hazards in the district. • In Padipalai DS, there is a dire need for drinking water. Water bowsering is limited and Pradeshiya Sabas are unable to meet the needs of communities. • Three schools in Chenkalady (Eravur Pattu) are still occupied by returnees; Koppavely school (45 families), Rugam Saraswathy School (4 families) Marappalam (17 families). Schools are in recess and the returnees are expected to have moved in to their homes by early January. • UNICEF supported mine risk awareness activities were conducted by Sarvodaya in areas of return in Vaharai, Vavunatheevu and Eravur Pattu divisions with 163 adults and 267 children benefiting. Reports of 10 UXOs in Vavunatheevu were also received and reported to the de-mining agency FSD. AMPARA DISTRICT Situation update • The situation remains tense. A new Police procedure stipulates that no public transport vehicles with more than 15 seats are authorized to enter Ampara through check points from 2200 hrs – 0500 hrs. The restriction does not apply to other vehicles. Displacement/Returns • No returns took place this week. Sector Developments/Gaps • An IOM assessment found that 21 IDP camps (19 tsunami IDP camps and 2 conflict IDP cluster sites) have inadequate sanitation facilities (full latrine pits). This is a result of the cessation of gully sucking operations by responsible authorities, due to the non availability of a gully sucker waste dumping site. The Ampara GA will be requested to convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders to discuss how this situation can be resolved. • IOM is downsizing its camp care and maintenances activities in the district. There are no agencies in this sector to address these needs of the IDPs in camps. KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITIVU DISTRICTS Sector Organisation Location Activity NPA 3 villages in Kili 7-13 Dec, conducted MRE awareness sessions. Protection NPA Mankulam, Mullai 10 Dec, controlled demolition of 1,901 items (UXO) including 17 Anti-Personnel mines. NPA Kili 7-13 Dec, 2 Low Risk Certificates presented for two temporary shelter locations of NGOs. UNICEF Kili, Mullai 6 Dec, one 2.5 KVA generator, 2 tape recorders with radio, 16 ladies bicycle give for CF activities Mine Action SCiSL Vadakadu, Therankandal 6-12 Dec, Convention on the Rights of the Child workshop done with 50 children SCiSL Kanthikiramam-Kili 6-12 Dec, supported a Child Led Advocacy programme for 200 parents and community members SCiSL Pyndamilkudigiruppu, Sekkalai 6-12 Dec, nutritional feeding, personal health awareness programme for 112 parents with MOH Solidar Puthukkudiyiruppu-Mullai completed construction of all 150 shelters as planned through WWDF Solidar Paaliyarau-Manthai West 75 temporary shelters completed out of a committed 250 Emergency Shelter Camp Coord/ Mgmt FORUT Kilinochchi 7-13 Dec, distributed roof re-thatching material to 75 IDP families. FORUT Kilinochchi 7-13 Dec, completed construction of 10 temporary shelters. ZOA Rankan settlement 7-13 Dec, 52 semi-permanent shelters for IDPs are being completed (walls, flooring, roofing) Solidar Thethavadi, Manthai West. 7-13 Dec, construction of 2 emergency toilets for IDPs. WASH ZOA Ponnakar-Kili 6 Dec, hygiene awareness program conducted, 113 UNICEF hygiene kits given to 94 IDP families. Rathnapuram-Kili 7 Dec, hygiene awareness program conducted, 22 UNICEF hygiene kits given to 19 IDP families. Nutrition SCiSL Pyndamilkudigiruppu, Sekkalai 6-12 Dec, provided nutritional food to 146, 3-10 year old children through MOH health workers Solidar Mallavi Hospital-Mullai A 5KVA generator given to blood bank of Mallavi hospital Solidar District Hospital-Kili 7-13 Dec, 2 generators repaired Health Solidar Akkarayan Hospital-Kili 7-13 Dec, 1 generator repaired ZOA Visuvamadu-Mullaitivu 7 Dec, funded medical treatment of one heart surgery patient SCiSL Mullai 3 ECCDC opened benefiting 96 children and 5 teachers. SCiSL Kalmadunagar, Podanvayal 7-13 Dec, supported supplementary feeding programme for 93 children of 3 ECCDC Education ZOA Oothupulam,Sakthipuram, 7-13