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1 Sri Lanka Monsoon Flood Update Situation Report 7 Date: 18 January 2011 Colomboo I. HIGHLIGHTS / KEY PRIORITIES From 13 January the flood waters began to recede and many people have returned to their homes. The number of people in temporary flood displacement centres has declined by 66% from 51,423 persons to 17,413 over the past 24 hours. However, significant humanitarian challenges remain for those returning particularly in food insecurity, water quality, housing damage, crop loss and resumption of livelihoods. By 18 January (12:00hrs), there were 1,060,273 persons affected by the floods, with 17,413 remaining in evacuation centres. A total 43 fatalities, 51 injured persons and 4 missing are reported. On 20 January UN Assistant Secretary General launch a Flash Appeal in emergency funds to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of flood affected communities in the centre and east of the island. and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Ms. Catherine Bragg will II. Situation Overview People are departing temporary evacuation centres in increasing numbers and many sites have been closed down. The flood waters continue to recede. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that, as of 18 January 12: 00 hrs, a total 1,060,273 persons (281,822 families) have been affected, representing a decrease of approximately 14,0000 persons in the last 24 hours. The population in evacuation centres continues to fall and now stands at 17,413 individuals (4,339 families), down 66 per cent from yesterday. The number of evacuation sites has decreased from 137 to 70. According to the DMC, 43 deaths, 51 injured and 4 missing persons are recorded due to the extreme weather situation across the country. Although people are returning to their homes, the floods have devastated homes, cultivation and livelihoods, creating significant humanitarian needs. Temporary Displacement Centre Population Trend: 6 to 18 January 2011 In addition to those in evacuation Hambantota Kurunegala centres, a number of people Puttalam displaced by the floods have found Kandy Monaragala temporary accommodation with Kegalle host families. Informationn from Nuwaraeliya Matara Ampara District indicates that, by 17 Gampahaa January, 65,825 persons were Matale Jaffna staying with host families, in Vavuniya addition to 4,208 persons in the Badulla Galle centres. (Data on flood affected 0 Ratnapura persons living with host families in Mullaitivuu the other districts is not available) 06 Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan 11 Kilinochchi Trincomalee Mannar In Trincomalee District, roads to the worst affected Verugal Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division have reopened, but pockets of areas remain inaccessible. The Department of Meteorology reports that rainfall has decreased and temperatures, which registered record lows in many areas of the island last week, are returning to normal. The highest rainfall of nearly 25mm during the past 24hrs was recorded in Pottuvil, Amparaa District. Authorities state that the spill gates of several key reservoirss will remain open until water levels subside to normal levels to ease pressure on reservoir bunds. These reservoirs include Rajanganaya and Kalawewa (Anuradhapura District), Parakrama Samudraya, Kawudulu Oya, Girithale and Minneriya (Polonnaruwa District), Konkatu wewa (Ratnapura District), Tabbowa (Puttalam District) and Inginimitiya (Kurunegala District). The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and

2 The seven districts with the highest number of persons affected and displaced due to floods (Source: DMC, 12:00hrs, 17 January 2010) District Affected Displaced IDP camps / Families Persons Families Persons locations Batticaloa 144, ,144 2,782 10, Ampara 120, , , Vavuniya 11,141 39, Anuradhapura 2,849 11, Kandy 641 2, Matale 628 2, Trincomalee 443 1, TOTAL III. Humanitarian Needs and Response Shelter: In Batticaloa and Ampara Districts flood displaced people residing in schools were requested to leave by 17 January to facilitate the reopening of schools. While many families are in a position to return to their residences, some families have lost their homes made of local materials, such as mud bricks. Alternative arrangements are being sought. At the Sri Lankan Government s request, the Chinese Government is looking into the possibility of providing roofing material to the affected families to rebuild their homes. NFI: UMCOR, IFRC, ZOA, WVI and SLRCS, among others, distributed NFI and dry food ration stocks to floodaffected communities in Batticaloa District. NRC, Islamic Relief Worldwide, and LRSC, among others, handed out NFI and dry foods to Ampara District. IOM provided logistical support to distribution in both areas. In addition, DRC has mobilized US$ 25,000 for initial assistance to people affected by the floods living in Trincomalee District. IOM is procuring 300 NFI full kits (LKR 7,000 each) at an approximate total cost of US$ 20,000. In Mullaitivu District, a rapid assessment has identified the following needs: approx. 11,490 cooking sets, 11,073 each of mosquito nets, hurricane lamps, towels and bed sheets, 3,678 infant sets, 14,778 women s sanitary items, 53,995 each of candles, bars of soap and mosquito coils. Food: WFP has developed an Emergency Operations proposal for US$ 8.7 million to provide urgent food assistance to 500,000 persons in the Eastern Province. WFP has already dispatched 675 MT in mixed food commodities to Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa Districts. Of this total, approximately 341 MT had been distributed to approximately 464,000 beneficiaries by 17 January (335,000 persons in Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa Districts; 40,000 in Trincomalee District and 89,000 in Ampara District). Food distributions have reached most flood affected communities. However a few divisions in Batticaloa District are still inaccessible due to poor road conditions. Initial estimates by the Ministry of Agriculture indicate 450,000 MT of paddy have been destroyed by the heavy rains and inundation. However surveys will be essential to determine the full extent of the damage. Education: Schools officially reopened on 17 January (see table below for status of schools in Trincomalee District). However attendance is not expected to return to normal until after the holidays and debris is cleaned away in schools affected by the floods or used as temporary evacuation centres. Agencies are gearing up to undertake cleaning activities to ensure a safe environment for school children. 2

3 Status of schools in Trincomalee District Education zone Status of schools Mutur: (including Verugal & 78 schools reopened and functioning by 18 January. The remaining three schools Mutur DS divisions) will reopen 20 January. School cleaning is in progress. Trincomalee 75 of 76 schools reopened. 1 school in Pulmoddai, where there is stagnant water, will reopen on 20 January. Kinniya 48 of 58 schools are reopened and functioning. Remaining 10 to reopen on 20 January following cleaning activities. Kantale & Trincomalee North All schools are reopened WASH: WASH partners are supporting local government authorities to carry out needs assessments and respond to immediate requirements. UNICEF has distributed hygiene kits for 696 displaced families in Verugal and Seruvila, in addition to 1,175 collapsible jerry cans to communities in Verugal. Health and Nutrition: The Trincomalee Regional Directorate of Health Services are taking measures to mitigate health issues in the worst affected areas, including ensuring water quality adequate supplies, well cleaning and chlorination. The district water testing laboratory is processing about twenty water samples per day from area wells. Health authorities report 16 cases of watery diarrhea and five cases of blood and micas diarrhea. Furthermore, health authorities are working to ensure that cooking areas and toilets in temporary evacuation centres remain clean. Cooking areas are regularly inspected and on site awareness programmes have been conducted on how to handle food. Toilet cleaning agents have been supplied to management committees in the evacuation centres. Instructions have been issued, by the Assistant Commissioner for Local Government, to all urban councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas to carry out waste disposal in evacuation sites. Mobile clinics have been carried out in most areas of Trincomalee District, including by boat in Eachchilampattu and Kinniya. Polonaruwa Regional Epidemiologist reported that all major health facilities have resumed operations in the district. However, some 1,000 flood affected people remain in temporary shelters. Mobile clinics are no longer needed as health facilities are able to respond. The health situation is normal with no communicable diseases reported. There are some NFI needs for chlorine powder and tablets and mosquito nets. In Batticaloa, all temporary accommodation centres will be closed today with flood affected either going home or living relations. Agencies that support them in their activities include IOM, MSF, OXFAM, Muslim Aid, WUSC, ASB, TDS, World Vision and UNICEF. Chlorination activities and health education programs to sensitize the people on water borne diseases are underway with support from the Ministry of Health Colombo for implementation of curative and preventive activities. Chlorine is needed to continue their activities to clean wells and other water points. No outbreak of diseases reported. In Ampara District, a medical team from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia consisting of 8 medical doctors and 2 medical administrators been deployed to Kalmunai, to assist meeting health needs. Mine action: Mine Risk Education partners are alerting community volunteers and child animators in floodaffected areas to raise awareness on landmines/unexploded Ordnance, which may have been dislodged by the flood waters. 3

4 IV. Funding/ Appeals The UN Humanitarian Country Team has finalized a Flash Appeal to support the mobilization of humanitarian assistance for Sri Lanka s flood affected and displaced population. The UN Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ms. Catherine Bragg, will launch the Appeal on 20 January as part of her mission to Sri Lanka. More nations have pledged aid to flood affected communities in Sri Lanka over the past few days to support the Government s response, a few include: On 18 January the Chinese Government offered US$1.5 million in emergency humanitarian assistance. Also today, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) handed over emergency relief supplies worth nearly US$ 262,000, including tents and sleeping mats, to the Ministry of Disaster Management. On 14 January the European Commission announced 2 million in emergency humanitarian assistance, primarily in food assistance, water and sanitation, and emergency relief items. On 17 January a second consignment of aid from the Indian Government arrived in the country. The 30 tons worth of dry rations (sugar and pulses), Ready to Eat Meals, milk powder, mattresses, water purification kits and tablets will be quickly dispatched to flood affected communities in the Eastern Province. Colombo: Ms Barbara Manzi Head of Office manzi@un.org Tel: /5; Fax: New York: Mr. Masaki Watabe Humanitarian Affairs Officer Asia and the Pacific Section watabem@un.org Tel: Geneva: Mr. Anvar Munavvarov Humanitarian Affairs Officer munavvarov@un.org Tel: For more information, please visit: 4

5 principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

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