SITUATION REPORT # 140 JAFFNA, KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, MANNAR, VAVUNIYA, TRINCOMALEE, BATTICALOA and AMPARA DISTRICTS 14-21 August 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 35,353 134,868 Mullaitivu 8,917 31,080 Vavuniya 5,199 18,403 Mannar 2,774 8,709 Trincomalee 1571 5254 Batticaloa 4,274 16,213 Ampara 1,162 4,278 JAFFNA DISTRICT Situation update • Minor confrontations between the SLA and LTTE around the FDLs in Muhamalai and Nagarkovil were reported. • Damages to electricity transformers were once again reported in the Kokuvil area in Nallur DS Division. • On August 19, staff from Jaffna University held a silent protest to show solidarity with Vanni civilians and called for an end to the fighting. • The curfew which was relaxed by 30 minutes for the Nallur temple festival remains is still in place from 2100 - 0400 hours Displacement/ Returns • No major movements were observed this week. Sector Developments/Gaps • Security Forces have released 103 acres of paddy land within the High Security Zone for cultivation. The land belongs to 73 civilians, who are reportedly to receive special identity cards to facilitate access to the area. • The civilian population in Jaffna has been facing power and energy issues since June 1990, when the Northern Province was cut off from the main national electrical grid. Since then, the Northern population has been using alternate energy sources for both homes and industries. The energy supply has improved since the 1996 returns when the main supply was through generators in Kankasanthurai, generally providing supply every other day to various areas. In September 2007, the Ceylon Electricity Board indicated that they would take steps to be able to generate sufficient power for uninterrupted supply to the Peninsula. • Media reports indicate that complementary allowance, which support purchase of diesel fuel for the Northern Region Transport Board operations are under threat. This would further affect the mobility of Jaffna civilians. Responding to the Transport Board plea, Commander North Major General Chandrasri intervened and arranged for diesel to be provided by h the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to continue operation of civilian buses. Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team IASC Colombo Sri Lanka KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITIVU DISTRICTS & Manthai West (located in Mannar district but covered by Kilinochchi district) Situation update • The general security situation in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts remains tense and fluid due to ongoing military operations and exchange of mortar/ artillery shelling around the northern and southern FDL areas, claymore mine attacks and air attacks deep inside the Vanni area. • Last week, the Mallavi government hospital, whose staff were evacuated, has started functioning at the previous hospital premises of the Kilinochchi general hospital. • The RDHS requested shelter for 200 hospital staff who were evacuated from Akkarayan and Vanneri hospitals and who have been moved to Kilinochchi to support hospital functioning there. The RDHS has appealed for 100 shelters to supplement the 28 already provided by agencies. He also requested 150 beds for the hospital. Hospitals, which have had to be abandoned, have reduced the number of available beds by 200. • SLT phone lines outside of the Vanni have not been functioning since 23 July. Telephone communication within the Vanni was also cut during the past week. Displacement/ Returns • New displacements are taking place in Mudkompan, Sekkalai and Arasapuram of Poonakary division following shelling and confrontations nearby. The District Secretariat of Kilinochchi estimates that around 3,000 families including existing IDPs are likely to displace from these areas to safer places. • District Secretariat of Kilinochchi reports 18,970 families (74,119 individuals) have displaced into Kilinochchi district since June 2008. The total number of IDPs of Kilinochchi district that include IDPs displaced since April 2006 is 134,868 individuals (35,353 families). • GA-Kilinochchi reports there are IDPs accommodated in 22 schools in the district. The total number of the IDPs in schools needs to be verified. Sector Developments/Gaps • RDHS reported on 21 August that third quarter drugs have arrived in Kilinochchi from Vavuniya during the past week. The RDHS requested that the health department allocates additional drugs to Kilinochchi. RDHS also received one lorry of drugs including surgical items for Kilinochchi on 20 August. • The reduced fuel allocation for the RDHS from 6,250 to 2,850 liters is of continued concern for health institutions. In particular the RDHS is concerned about vaccine storage dependent on generators and continuation of much needed ambulance services. • Over the past week, UNHCR received 2,000 tarpaulin sheets, Solidar materials for 125 temporary latrines (tin sheets, squatting slabs, etc.) from Vavuniya. IOM brought in NFRIs sufficient for 140 families. Approval is awaited to transport 1,200 packs of NFRIs stored in Vavuniya. • Additional stocks are needed to support the humanitarian response for projected displacements, particularly in the water and sanitation, Food and Shelter sectors/clusters. • At the 21 August IDP assistance review meeting, the GA Kilinochchi reported an urgent need for 5,000 temporary shelters for persons residing in communal places and in open spaces. So far, 1,700 temporary shelters have been committed by humanitarian agencies for Kilinochchi. Site identification is ongoing by the Shelter Coordination Cell [SCC] with the cooperation of government authorities. Nearly 187 acres of land has been identified in Kandawalai AGA division of Kilinochchi district. • The Zonal Director Education for Kilinochchi reported on 21 August that since June 2008, 33 schools with 10,000 students have been displaced from areas in Poonakary and Karachchi AGA divisions in Kilinochchi district. • WFP transported 125 MT of Dhal and 100 MT of wheat flour for its ongoing dry ration distribution covering 31,398 families (119,905 individuals) in Kilinochchi and 10,907 families (39,040 individuals) in Mullaitivu districts. MANNAR & VAVUNIYA DISTRICTS Situation update • The General situation remains tense with security forces on high alert with cordon and search operations being regularly conducted in both districts. • Mobile telephones operating only from 1800 – 0000 hrs in Vavuniya. Moblie telephone connections not functional in Mannar, where the power supply is also irregular. Displacement/Returns • Statistics from the Office of the Government Agent Mannar (5th August 2008) – indicate that there are no IDPs in Madhu and Manthai West and those who used to live in these divisions have moved to areas further north of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. Sector Developments/Gaps • The Vavuniya Shelter Cell is planning an emergency coordination meeting to discuss future activities on 26 August. 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 TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT Situation update On 14 August, most parts of Trincomalee experienced rain with strong winds. As a result, falling trees in different parts of Trincomalee district obstructed traffic. The situation has now normalized. The Ceylon Electricity Board reported that 9 electricity posts which carry high voltage supply to the district were damaged and expect to complete repairs on them in a few weeks. Currently, electricity supply in Trincomalee district fluctuates. Displacement/Returns On 14 August, 29 families (110 individuals) returned to Neenakerney village in Nalloor. On 15 August, 60 families (231 individuals) returned to Paddalipuram GN division, of which 5 families (14 individuals) returned to Paddalipuram and 55 families (217 individuals) returned to Veeramanagar villages. Sector Developments/Gaps Due to the scarcity of water in the Mutur East return areas, UNICEF has arranged to truck water in coordination with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) and Muttur Pradesiya Saba.Situation update TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT Situation update ∼ On 14 August, most of Trincomalee experienced rain with strong winds resulting in obstructed traffic from fallen trees. The Ceylon Electricity Board reported that 9 electricity posts, which carry high voltage supply, were damaged. Electricity supply in Trincomalee district currently fluctuates. Repairs are expected to be completed in a few weeks. Displacement/Returns • On 14 August, 29 families (110 individuals) returned to Neenakerney village in Nalloor. On 15 August, 60 families (231 individuals) returned to Paddalipuram GN division, of which 5 families (14 individuals) returned to Paddalipuram and 55 families (217 individuals) returned to Veeramanagar villages. Sector Developments/Gaps ∼ Due to inadequate water resources in the Mutur East return areas, UNICEF has arranged to truck water in coordination with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) and Muttur Pradesiya Saba. BATTICALOA DISTRICT Displacement/Returns • Government statistics of 12 August show the number of IDPs in the district has reduced to 16,213 individuals (4,274 families). The reduction is a result of the 19 August returns to Muruthanai. Sector Developments/Gaps