Standing Committee Country Team SITUATION REPORT # 66 KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, VAVUNIYA, MANNAR, TRINCOMALEE, BATTICALOA & AMPARA

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1 118 SITUATION REPORT # 66 KILINOCHCHI, MULLAITIVU, VAVUNIYA, MANNAR, TRINCOMALEE, BATTICALOA & AMPARA KILINOCHCHI & MULLAITIVU DISTRICTS Situation update There continues to be shelling in the Muhamalai, Poonakary and Vadamarachchi East parts. Heavy shelling continued south of Mullaitivu district during the week. The number of IDPs has increased by slightly in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu after shelling closer to the Omanthai FDL (Forward Defence Line) and the Poonakary, Vadamarachchi East areas. As of the 12 March 2007, UNHCR statistics for Kilinochchi district registered the displaced population at 11,693 families comprising 45,675 persons with Mullaitivu having 7,448 families comprising 26,098 persons. Sector Response Shelter On 9 & 10 March, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) received three lorry loads of cadjan (sufficient to build 20 temporary shelters) and one lorry load of timber from Vavuniya by utilizing the GA Kilinochchi quota. On 14 March, Oxfam signed a MoU with its local partners for the construction of 328 temporary shelters for the displaced living with host families in Kilinochchi districts. Another MoU was signed with its implementing partners to construct 272 temporary shelters for the displaced in Mullaitivu district. Water and Sanitation At the Iyankankulam settlement (Mullaitivu district), Oxfam renovated a drinking water well where those displaced from areas closer to Omanthai FDL have been resettled. Last week, Solidar received approval to proceed with implementation of 300 temporary latrine units. This is funded by UNICEF for displaced families settled in both districts. Psycho-social On 08 March UNICEF conducted a programme through an NGO working in the psycho-social field in the Vanni for 90 students from various schools to improve their inter-personnel skills and general awareness on available counseling assistance. NFRIs On 09 March, Oxfam distributed NFRI packages to 65 displaced families living in Thunukkai DS division (Mullaitivu) while the Danish Refugee Council distributed NFRIs to 35 IDPs settled in Vannivelenkulam (Mullaitivu district). On 09 March, MPCSs (Multi-Purpose Coorperative Societies) of the Kilinochchi district transported 12 MT of NFRIs through the Omanthai FDL for general public consumption. On 12 March, UNHCR distributed NFRI packages to 99 displaced families settled in the Aalankulam area (Mullaitivu) and on 13 March, made a NFRI package distribution for 60 families in Amaithipuram (Kilinochchi).

2 228 UNICEF pre-positioned hygienic kits and other NFRI items in Kilinochchi in order to respond to a potential humanitarian crisis in the Madhu area Mannar district, which has been identified as a vulnerable area due to its proximity to the FDL. Health and Nutrition On 12 March, UNOPS was asked to start the construction of a temporary dispensary at the Arasapuram IDP settlement (Poonakary) where nearly 800 displaced have been resettled after August UNHCR is providing funds for this dispensary. The Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services (DPDHS) has agreed to staff the new dispensary while Oxfam has agreed to provide the water supply. On 09 March, 65 families displaced from the Puliyankulam areas (close to Omanthai FDL) and now settled in Thunukkai Division were given hygiene kits by Oxfam. The Mullaitivu DPDHS reports that they received the 4th quarter drugs of 2006 from Vavuniya last week. However, there are still shortages of vaccines in the district hospitals as there has been no supply after December The DPDHS is still waiting for MoD permission to transport the 1st quarter drugs of 2007, which are stored in Vavuniya. Food The 13 th week IDP dry ration supply for around 11,519 families displaced after August 2006 is being distributed through MPCSs in Kilinochchi district. In Mullaitivu, 7,015 displaced families received their food ration for the 10 th week. WFP is providing dry rations to the displaced families in Vanni through the GAs of the respective districts. On 09 March, MPCSs of the Kilinochchi district transported 34 MT of sugar, 0.72 MT of milk powder, 34 MT of pulses through the Omanthai FDL for general public consumption. Mine Action Last week, NPA (Norwegian People Aid) carried out a general survey of the planned site for the construction of a dispensary in the Arasapuram area as requested by UNHCR last week. NPA-HDU confirmed (and issued certificate letter) that to the best of their knowledge, the area is free of land mines and classified the site as a low risk area from UXOs. NPA destroyed 1,142 Anti Personnel mines on 13 March. VAVUNIYA AND MANNAR DISTRICT Situation update Shelling continued to be exchanged during reporting period at the FDLs (Vavuniya north and Ujilamkulam). IDPs figure in Madhu church areas has increased over the last four weeks. Based on field reports the situation is deteriorating. Children s education has been disrupted and there is an urgent need for sanitation facilities. A few organizations have agreed to renovate the toilets but efforts are hampered by transport restrictions to Madhu and surrounding areas. As of 12 March, the GA reports 2,266 displaced families comprising 8,000 persons in Vavuniya and 3,898 displaced families comprising 13,685 persons in Mannar district. Sector response NFRI UNHCR is waiting for the Ministry of Defense clearance to transport shelter material to Vavuniya north.

3 338 ZOA distributed NFRIs to eight beneficiaries in Nanattan and Madhu divisions of Mannar district. Protection On 09 and 10 March, DRC organized a human rights workshop for 38 Grama Niladari and social service officers of the Nanaddan divisional secretary division on the subject of international and national human rights, women rights, child rights and the guiding principles on internal displacement. Education UNICEF supported a one-day seminar on Catch up Education for teachers of the Zonal Education Department of Vavuniya South. Twenty five teachers participated and twenty catch up education classes are in progress. UNICEF held an Emergency Education Working Group meeting in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya North for education officials on how to work during the time of an emergency. Food During the reporting period 80 MT of rice, 0.88 MT of dhal and 0.36 MT of sugar was transported by WFP through the government to the two districts. Livelihood FAO in collaboration with World vision has identified 300 vulnerable households in villages of Cheddikulam DS division in Vavuniya district to distribute inputs for home gardening. ZOA distributed 300 young chickens to twelve vulnerable families in the Katkidanthakulam welfare centre in Nanattan division and provided seven income generation packages to families in the Nanattan and Madhu division of Mannar district. Shelter UNHCR has committed to relocate 300 families in two separate sites, currently in welfare centers for a long time in Vavuniya district. Intervention to be completed in two phases. Health and Nutrition UNHCR officially opened and handed over a health center in Sinnakarisal in Mannar district. It has been constructed under the QIP impact project. UNICEF has supported the renovation of seven general health centers in Vavuniya south and Vavuniya DS division in Vavuniya district. A total of 197 UNICEF pregnant mothers kits and seven tonnes of UNICEF high energy biscuits destined for Madhu await clearance from the Ministry of Defense Colombo. TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT Situation Update The Situation continues to be tense On 12 March, the first IDPs arrived in Kiliveddy from Batticaloa on buses organised by the Sri Lankan authorities. Instead of the 2,000 persons expected by the government 946 arrived at Kiliveddy. Many did not turn up at the designated pick up points in Batticaloa district. Many of the IDPs had decided against staying any longer in the transit shelters and moved on to their places of origin in order to work

4 448 on their damaged homes. On 14 March it was reported that only 267 of the original returnees remained in Kiliveddy with the numbers expected to drop further over the day. Despite the fact that 25 families attempted to return home to Ariyamarnkerney from Kiliveddy temporary sites on 13 March, it has since emerged that more are unable to do so as the military are based in the village and are refusing to allow them back. They are temporarily accommodated in Lingapuram near Kiliveddy and are waiting for clarification from the SLA as to whether or not they can return. Sector Response Shelter Despite weeks of work by a number of agencies and NGOs in cooperation with the authorities, to prepare the temporary shelters for the first 2,000 IDPs in the Kiliveddy Transit Centers, humanitarian workers have learnt that the SLA intend to implement a safety zone 50meters either side of the road in Kiliveddy. This would mean that a large number of the temporary shelters so far prepared would need to be taken down. Discussions continue, to find a solution to the problem. Watsan UNICEF completed construction of 6 semi-permanent toilets in Kiliveddy IDP sites and 21 are ongoing. IOM has completed 20 and another 20 are in progress. Toilets are in place to cover the needs of 2,000 IDPs. Garbage collection and dumping in the Kiliveddy sites remains a pending issue. The GA has promised to take the necessary steps including obtaining two tractors from Colombo to boost local capacity. Watsan agencies have focused on responding to the return of IDPs to temporary shelters at Kiliveddy with the following breakdown: Oxfam is providing water facilities, PHP promotion and garbage collection. IOM and UNICEF with toilets: 40 (20 already complete) and 39 (6 already completed) respectively. ICRC is providing bathing facilities and work is ongoing. The Watsan agencies have adopted a phased approach in provision of water and sanitation. Phase 1 is covering the transit sites and planned activities are almost complete. Phase II and III will proceed based on needs and numbers of returning IDPs as many agencies have decided to react to returns as and when they occur rather than committing resources before the event. It is difficult to predict numbers and dates of arrivals as these are constantly fluctuating. UNICEF WATSAN sector focal point has reaffirmed that the WATSAN teams are in a position to react quickly while resources are in place to cover all those already in Kiliveddy. ICRC and UMCOR are working on well cleaning in the areas where many of the IDPs in Kiliveddy are originally from (Iruthayapuram,Thanganagar and Muthur) in order to support their return home. There are serious concerns regarding the identification of dumping sites in the Kiliveddy area to allow dumping of waste from toilets. Oxfam has exceptionally emptied the toilet pit in the Kiliveddy school and emptied the gully sucker at Kantale as the situation at the school was critical: the toilet pits there had been full for over a month. WATSAN agencies still need the authorities to provide a dumping area which has been pending for weeks. Education The Education Department is not ready to authorise the construction of temporary learning spaces for the expected IDP children from Batticaloa in the schools surrounding Kiliveddy. There stay will be for a very short period and the numbers of IDPs who may need to stay longer at the transit sites remain unclear. Another issue of concern is the lack of teachers. With the arriving IDPs being sent to their places of origin almost immediately after arriving in Kiliveddy, advocacy for the children to register in neighboring schools will need to be done. Agriculture

5 558 FAO this week provided 70 milk cans to selected livestock farmers in Muttur, Kuchcheveli and Town and Gravets. Livelihood Oxfam started a cash for work in the Seruvila area focusing on irrigation channel cleaning. This is to provide some livelihood assistance for the people who were displaced during the Mavilaru crisis and those displaced in December 2006 due to the conflict, while improving a livelihood resource for future income generation. Health At this week s Heath Coordination Meeting it was announced that screening of IDPs who will be residing in the short term at the Kiliveddy transitional shelters will begin on 16 March. The aim is to discover if any amongst them need medical attention at Kiliveddi hospital. Minor complaints will be dealt with by medical staff on the spot. The Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services is coordinating a team of 2 Doctors, 3 Public Health Inspectors and 3 Midwives to complete the task. DPDHS highlighted the ongoing gaps in human resources in the sector as most of the rural hospitals in the district are understaffed and lack doctors. Kuchaveli hospital and Thiriyai Hospital have both been renovated and equipped by ARC and North West Medial Teams respectively but the authorities cannot attract doctors to work there. This situation has not been helped by security concerns in these and many other rural areas. BATTICALOA DISTRICT Situation Update The situation in the district is tense. More than 40,000 people have fled from the uncleared western areas to cleared areas in the last week. According to Government statistics, as of 12 March the total registered IDP population in the district is 35,767 families comprising 130,198 persons, which is a significant increase compared to last week. Sector Response Shelter During the reporting period, 150 shelters were constructed by ZOA at Koralankerny site in Chenkalady division, 150 shelters were completed in Kurukkalmadam and 50 shelters were constructed in Chettipalayam in Kaluwanchikudy division. Food In light of the great IDP influx in the past days, there was an appeal for immediate Food Assistance Support by all actors to ensure that they meet the minimal nutritional requirements. The immediate requests are emergency feeding (cooked meals/ communal cooking etc) for 2 weeks, dry food basket rations for 2-4 weeks and complementary foods for 2-4 weeks. ZOA has distributed supplementary food for 239 families in Maruthanagar, 450 families in Vinayahapuram camp, 427 families in Parangiyamadu, 2361 families in Arayampathy division, 440 families in Saththurukondan IV camp, 213 families in Kokkuvil school camp, 213 families in Veechchukalmunai and 299 families in Palameenmadu IV camp. Caritas EHED has provided dry food rations for one week to 504 IDP families in Arayampathy division. Total GA/WFP Dry Food Assistance for the reporting period as follows: dry rations for 2 weeks for 1321 families in Vaharai division, 820 families in Valachchenai division, 2184 families in Manmunai

6 668 North division, 4172 families in Chenkalady division, 493 families in Arayampathy division, 1180 families in Kiran division and 230 families in Kaluwanchikudy division. Wat/San: During the reporting period, 19 semi permanent toilets were under construction by IOM at Arayampathy for the host family IDPs. 20 water tanks (10 to Arayampathy DS Office and 10 to Kaluwanchikudy DS Office) have been sent by OXFAM GB to cover the need of newly arrived IDPs in these two DS divisions. 8 emergency latrines have been constructed in Saththurkondan 3 IDP camp, 5 semi-permanent latrines have been constructed in Maruthanagar ZOA has distributed four 1000 ltr tanks with 4 stands to Arumugaththankudiyiruppu at Chenkalady division. 15 toilets and 10 hand pumps are under construction by ZOA at Arumugaththankudiyiruppu, 10 hand pumps were completed and 12 toilets are under construction in Mylampaveli new site, 10 hand pumps were fixed in Palacholai and 8 hand pumps were fixed in Koralankerny in Chenkalady division. Construction of 14 toilets in Eruvil Kannahi Maha Vidyalayam and 4 toilets in Mahiloor Saraswathy Maha vidyalayam in Kaluwanchikudy division. UNICEF has provided 1000 ltr water tanks and stands as follows: 21 in Kalawanchikudy, 5 in Arayampathy, 23 in Manmunai North and 7 in Chenkalady divisions. UNICEF provided 1 water pump to Kaluwanchikudy DS to conduct water bowering activities. UNICEF-ACTED Portable Emergency Toilet constructions completed at Food Warehouse (4) and Sathurkondan Railway Sites (8). Presently, 28 UNICEF-ACTED portable toilets are under construction in Arayampathy Division. UNICEF has completed the construction of the bathing space in Cultural Hall II Camp, toilet and bathing space constructions are ongoing at following sites: Mamangam Temple Site, Palacholai 2, Sathurkondan, Eastern University UNOPS site. During reporting period Oxfam, ZOA and Archeno Va distributed 217,000 liters of water per day. NFRIs During the reporting period, Oxfam, IOM, ZOA and UNICEF provided items such as bed sheets, mats, lanterns, towels, cooking utensils and mosquito nets etc in the areas of Manmunai North, Kaluwanchikudy, Arayampathy, Kiran. IOM has provided 23 trucks and 15 buses to GA, DS, ADS, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNHCR and World Vision to transport IDPs, food, shelter items, wat/san items, tents and other NFRIs. Protection, Psychosocial& Camp Management OXFAM GB has distributed sport items in Parangiyamadu, Vinayagpuram, CPM Church, RC Church, Maruthanagar, Iyankarni and Savakudy IDP camps. On 12 March, OXFAM GB conducted a workshop to all leaders of IDP camp women committees. UNICEF is continuing to provide psycho-social activities through the Centre for Performing Arts at Thalavai, mine risk education activities through its partner Sarvodaya, and is supporting the DPCC to conduct a general assessment of the newly arrived IDPs. Health and Health Promotion UNICEF High Energy Biscuits are continuing to be distributed through MCH clinics in IDP camps DPDHS continues its UNICEF funded health awareness activities in IDP camps. Livelihood

7 778 On 12, 13 and 14 March, camp cleaning campaign was organized in Saththurukondan by OXFAM GB/Sarvodaya to clean the camp surroundings through Cash for Work programme, 265 IDPs were participated in this activity and paid 400 rupees each. OXFAM GB/Sarvodaya selected 15 IDPs from Iyankerny and Savukkady camps for the input restoration programme and the inputs will distribute next week to restart their livelihood such as tailoring, masonry, carpentry, etc. Education UNICEF has pre- positioned with ZDE Batticaloa and ZDE Paddiruppu the following supplies for distribution as soon as school recommences pens, 3436 pencils, 3685 pencil cutters, 3820 erasers, 2861 compass, 1047 colour chalk boxes, 2210 drawing books, 5740 exercise books and 110 school in a box boxes. Save the Children has distributed a total of 816 sets of stitched uniforms and 944 educational material packs to the displaced children in Manmuani North division. AMPARA DISTRICT Situation Update Overall situation remains tense. The uncleared areas remain inaccessible to humanitarian actors as military operations launched on 6 January are continuing. The Maha Oya Ampara road remains closed at night due to the conflict. In Maha Oya, DS has provided sacks to residents in insecure villages to make safety bunkers to protect themselves in case of shelling. There are reports of nightly displacement of villagers in the insecure areas south of Batticaloa as well as in the areas of Damana and Lahugala (west of Thirukkovil uncleared area). UNHCR held a meeting with GA Ampara on contingency planning and identifying potential sites in case of an IDP influx from Batticaloa. UNHCR reports that IDPs from Batticaloa are continuously moving into Ampara district. As of 12 March, UNHCR reports that there are 1,433 displaced families comprising 5,686 persons in the district. The figure has increased as some new families have arrived from Batticaloa to Alayadivembu, Kalmunai Tamil and Navithanvali. In Karaitivu, 111 families arrived there withing two days. In Nintavur DS division, 30 families displaced from Batticaloa are currently residing in the RDS building Attapallam. UNICEF, UNHCR and UNOCHA assessed this centre on 14 March and identified several needs. Among them is the urgent need for watsan facilities and protection issues for pregnant mothers. UNICEF has met with the principal of the Attapallam School to accommodate the 25 displaced children among them and has made arrangements to provide stationery items through the ZDE (Zonal Director of Education). Sector Response Protection UNICEF has received reports that the disconnected mobile and CDMA phone network since 06 March services in the community is having an impact on civilian security and safety. Families are unable to stay in touch with each other during emergencies and security incidents. NGO workers have reported that the disconnected telecommunication network puts them at a greater risk while working in the field. The police have agreed to look into the language issues faces by Tamil speaking persons at the Maha Oya checkpoint.

8 888 The Mine Risk Education unit of UNICEF conducted a safety briefing on the risk of mines for 35 Merlin staff in the district. Education UNICEF informed that the ZDE survey on IDP children identified that there is a lack of furniture, teacher tables, water tanks, temporary sheds, hand pumps, school stationeries, school bags, and uniforms in the school where IDP children are located. UNICEF is taking care of provision of furniture, school stationeries, and school bags through the ZDE office. UNICEF informed that IOM agreed to provide one of the two needed temporary sheds to Vinayagapuram vidyala and UNICEF made arrangements for the other shed. WatSan UNICEF has provided one large water tank to the Vinayagapuram maha vidyalaya but it is yet to be transported. IOM is constructing toilets in Kalmunai (5), Alayadivembu (7) and Thirukkovil (22). IOM has completed 80 per cent of the for IDPs from Muttur and Trincomalee. IOM is also upgrading seven wells in Thirukkovil for inter-district IDPs where 50 per cent of the work is complete. Two tube-wells for new IDPs in Alayadivembu and 5 wells for IDPs in Tigavapi are complete. Shelter/Care and Maintenance IOM reports that 14 emergency shelters were constructed in Nintavur, 18 shelters were upgraded in Kalmunai Tamil division, 180 transitional shelter roofs were upgraded in Kalmunai, Thirukkovil, and Sainthamaruthu & Akkaraipattu, and that 50 shelters in Tigavapi and 20 in Akkaraipattu are under construction, where 75 per cent of the work is complete.