Humanitarian Situation Report - Sri Lanka: 13 - 26 Apr 2006

Overall Situation
According to media, a suicide bomber pretending to be pregnant made her way into the Sri Lankan Army head quarters on 25 April, then blew herself up in front of a car carrying the Sri Lankan army commander, killing eight people and wounding the officer and 26 others. As a result Sri Lanka's military launched strikes on LTTE areas in the northeast on 26 April. Some aid workers helping rebuild after the tsunami said they were temporarily relocated for security reasons. United Nations agencies stayed where they were, but introduced several restrictions on movement.

The United Nation's Secretary-General's spokesperson issued a statement strongly condemning the suicide bombing at the Army head quarters in Colombo. The Co-Chairs in a statement condemned absolutely the attempted assassination of the head of the Sri Lankan army, called on the LTTE to cease all suicide attacks and other forms of violence and expressed their grave concern about further escalation of violence. The Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) in Sri Lanka called on the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE to desist from acts of violence which will slide the country back into war and stop further death, destruction and misery to all people. The Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission also condemned the bombing in Colombo in a press release issued.

Main challenges and response

Threats to female NGO aid workers in Ampara and Batticaloa districts continue with the issuing of a new leaflet which gave a new deadline of 25 April for female staff to quit their employment with international organizations. According to some NGOs female workers have requested leave from work and are reluctant to go on field visits with some considering resignation as a result of the intimidation. A group of NGO's plan to meet in Ampara district the Government Agent, Divisional Secretaries and Police/ Special Task Force (STF), Muslim leaders as well as the LTTE.

Food security

World Vision Lanka together with the Ministry of Nation Building and WFP have implemented a massive school-feeding programme to provide mid-morning meals to nearly 8,500 school children in Eravurpattu Division in Batticaloa district. The programme is targeting tsunami-affected school children in 24 schools in the Kalkudha Educational Zone and commence last month. The main objective of the project is to increase the attendance of school children, especially in tsunami-affected families.

Health

The Kilinochchi Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services confirmed that although the government will no longer support voluntary health workers they can continue to operate if they have NGO backing. UNICEF is supporting volunteers, but there are salary issues.

Non-food items and shelter

IOM is currently assisting in the relocation of 370 families to a site in Achchuweli division. All families will receive a temporary shelter on 15 perches of land, livelihood support and basic facilities such as access to clean water, toilets, roads and a community center. The land is currently being de-mined to make it safe for settlement.

The Tzuchi Buddhist foundation recently handed over 647 new houses to the tsunami-affected in Hambantota. The cost of each house was 700,000 rupees and the design included a living room, two bed rooms and infrastructure facilities.

The Lutheran World Relief together with local partner organization Sarvodaya recently inaugurated a housing project in Kalutara district in the western province, consisting of 55 family homes with environmentally friendly features such as rainwater harvesting and solar panels for heat and power. LWR provided household furnishings - including chairs, tables, beds and kitchen equipment -- to the families who moved into the village.

Education

A Pre-School in Sampoor Maha Vidiyalayam in Muttur east, Trincomalee district was constructed by Save the Children Sri Lanka at a cost 1.4 million rupees was opened on 6 April.

The Centre for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (CPPHR) of Trincomalee has conducted a USAID funded nine-month training course on Advanced Studies in Human Rights for youth of Trincomalee. The first group of 57 youth was recently awarded certificates upon the successful completion of the course.

The Canadian Red Cross announced a 10.9 million US dollar vocational training program for tsunami-affected women and youth in Sri Lanka. The three-year program is in partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC). Support from the Canadian Red Cross allows WUSC to expand its existing program in Sri Lanka, which is designed to provide quality, employment-oriented vocational training, with priority being given to tsunami and conflict affected women, orphans, and disabled youth.

Livelihoods

Sri Lanka is drawing up a new law to regulate micro-credit organizations scattered around the country. The legislation will cover thrift units operated by co-operative societies, thrift associations in the Samurdhi income support program of the government and other non-governmental organizations in the sector. At present no one knows how many NGOs are involved in micro-finance or their asset base.

Protection

A new set of recommendations issued on 18 April by the UN in Sri Lanka, has directly addressed the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and established the mechanisms to effectively prevent, intervene and advocate against such abuse. Calling for greater coordination by those organizations working to eliminate GBV, the recommendations entitled 'Working together against GBV', were the outcome of a meeting convened by UNHCR in Colombo on 31 March. Bringing together 28 key actors from the Government, UN, NGO and civil society communities, the proceedings began by highlighting the work currently being done to raise awareness of GBV and assist GBV survivors. The gaps were then identified and a series of important recommendations were made to ensure an improved response nationwide, in support of the government's efforts.