Lifeline Daily Radio Show #148 (12 August 2009)
Schools, medical clinics and essential services are well under way for the IDPs returning to Vavuniya North while for those who remain the camps, more shelters are being erected and a big humanitarian shipment has been released for distribution. At an orphanage for youngsters displaced from the Vanni, efforts are being made to give them schooling and vocational training.
- Schools, clinics and shops being established for returning IDPs
- Vocational training to be provided for displaced orphans
- Temporary shelters repaired and 456 more constructed at Manik Farm
- Ministry pays duty to allow humanitarian cargo into Sri Lanka
Schools, clinics and shops being established for returning IDPs
Work on the infrastructure of resettlement areas in Vavuniya North and Nedumkerni is well underway with 30 per cent of the task complete, according to the Vavuniya Government Agent.
GA Mrs Charles says 1,094 IDPs have already been resettled and a list of further names for resettlement in 35 villages identified by the army, has been sent to the Presidential office.
Preparation is progressing well with cooperative centers, schools, post offices and medical clinics being established in Vavuniya North and Nedumkerni.
Mrs Charles also states that a list of IDPds from outside the Vanni, including Eastern districts, will be sent to their respective GAs today or tomorrow and to the Presidential Secretariat and area army commanders.
The GAs are being asked to verify whether the IDPs named on the list are from their area, whether they have a home and other means to take care of themselves, if there are sent back.
This information will be sent to the security forces by the GAs.
Mrs Charles also says that 70 per cent of special ID cards have been issued to IDPs in the camps.
Vocational training to be provided for displaced orphans
A home for 139 orphans from the Vanni is starting vocational training for teenagers in its care. The Sri Agilandeaswari Arulagam Children’s home in Vavuniya has taken in displaced youngsters, up to the age of 20. The youngsters were earlier accommodated in orphanages in the Vanni and have been sent to the Sri Agilandeaswari Arulagam Children’s home by the Child Care Department, with the approval of the courts. The home is funded by the government, NGOs and well-wishers. The home’s Secretary, Mr. Arumugam Navaratnarasa states that many children are unable to go school due to the age barrier, so they will have vocational training. The younger children could be allowed to attend school next term but he says they require school uniforms and equipment.
Temporary shelters repaired and 456 more constructed at Manik Farm
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has built 208 shelters in Manik Farm Zone 6a and 228 in 6b. DRC’s Construction Consultant, M. Balasundaram confirmed that shelter construction will be started in Chettikulam Zone 9 as soon as the proper approval is received. He explains: “We are constructing 12X12 ft shelters which are enough for a family to stay in temporarily. Earlier, we were instructed to construct shelters for just three months accommodation but it has almost passed three months now. Therefore we are doing repair on the the old shelters as well. We have had instructed to do the repairs by the agent who constructed those shelters. We have enough fund to do the repairs so we are taking over the repair work, too.
Ministry pays duty to allow humanitarian cargo into Sri Lanka
Medicines, tinned food and baby milk powder to be distributed to IDPs by Sri Lanka Red Cross
The Indian Red Cross has sent a consignment of humanitarian aid to be distributed by SLRC among the Vanni IDPs. Deputy Director General of SLRC, Mr. Suren Peries explains about the clearance of the cargo at Colombo’s port. “This consignment of humanitarian cargo which arrived in Colombo Port on board the Cape Colorado was a donation from the Indian Red Cross Society. It was in Colombo Port for two and a half weeks because of a lack of shipping documents and finally, last week, we were given the title to the goods because the Indian Red Cross had given sufficient information and advice to the shipping agent here. After receiving the delivery order, we started the procedures on custom clearance. This is a huge consignment of cargo which includes a lot of items like medicines, tinned foods, milk powder for babies. All these items have to be cleared and we have negotiated with the government to clear the customs duty and the goods for us. The Ministry of Nation Building has very kindly consented to pay, on our behalf, the custom duty and first access and all other government levies that should be applied for this consignment of cargo.”
