Lifeline Daily Radio Show #179 (28 September 2009)
UN Representative, Walter Kaelin, has called for the maximum possible resettlement of IDPs before the monsoon. In Vavuniya, tensions in the camps, following an escape attempt by IDPs, has been brought under control. Meanwhile in the east, 321 IDPs are to be moved to Trincomalee camps as part of the camp mobilisation process.
- Kaelin calls for resettlement of IDPs before the monsoon
- Tensions in IDP camp following escape attempt brought under control
- IDPs from Batticaloa to be sent to Trincomalee camps tomorrow
Kaelin calls for resettlement of IDPs before the monsoon
UN Representative, Walter Kaelin has expressed satisfaction on steps taken to provide humanitarian assistance to the IDPs and has called for resettlement to take place before the rains, Vavuniya GA, P.S.M. Charles said. “He has requested us to resettle as many IDPs as possible before the monsoon starts,” she said.
Dr. Kaelin met MP Mano Ganeshan last Saturday. During the meeting, Ganeshan proposed a plan to handle the IDP situation. He said: “Our proposal is that the UN must take direct control of the administration of the camps and resettlement process with the government’s corporation.”
Tensions in IDP camp following escape attempt addressed
Tensions in Vavuniya following an attempt made by IDPs to escape, have been brought under control.
Military spokesperson, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said: “It was an incident. There were no clashes. They were trying to escape from the camp, troops prevented the attempt and now the situation has returned to normal. Army and the police have taken necessary action to prevent these kind of issues in the future.”
Vavuniya GA, Mrs. P.S.M. Charles also visited the camp to assess the situation. She said: “I have advised the people to control themselves and have taken steps to create a better understanding between the IDPs and the military.”
IDPs from Batticaloa to be sent to Trincomalee camps tomorrow
A total of 321 IDPs, belonging to 87 families in Kokkuvil welfare camp, Batticaloa, are to be sent to camps in Trincomalee tomorrow as part of the camp mobilizing process. The IDPs will be accommodated in Paddithidal, Kiliveddy and Manatchenai camps and will be transported on buses belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).
Resettlement Coordinator, Eastern Province, Mr. Arunachalam Selvendran said they will be accommodated in Kilivaddy and Paddithidal camps temporarily and added that temporary shelters would be constructed later in Thillangerny and Senaiyoor. He added: “Areas such as Ralkuli, Pallikudiyiruppu and Chinnakulam are being developed in order to resettle people who were displaced from Sampoor, which is now a high security zone.”
