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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: North East Joint Humanitarian Update - Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya, and Trincomalee Districts Report No. 20, 13 - 26 February 2010

Attachments

I. Situation Overview & highlights

- Zone 5 in Menik Farm is now being used as a collection centre for IDPs during return movements, allowing IDPs access to water and sanitation facilities while they await transport to their districts of origin. However, the provision of cooked meals for IDPs at the collection centre may cease at the beginning of March due to lack of funds.

- Returns continued at a steady pace between 13 to 26 February, with movements to Oddusudan District Secretariat (DS) division in Mullaitivu District, as well as to the Karachchi and Pachchilaipallai DS divisions in Kilinochchi District.

- Between 13 and 26 February, some return movements were scheduled to areas in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts where the status of landmine / UXO contamination had not been completely verified. Some areas had ongoing non-technical surveys, while others had not yet been tasked for the necessary survey / mine clearance. Following close collaboration among OCHA, IOM, UNHCR, the UNDP-supported District Mine Action Office and the Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator, one movement to the Oddusudan District Secretariat (DS) division (in Mullaitivu District) was postponed. Paperwork for the returns to Killinochchi District was expedited, and the movement occurred as scheduled.

- The limited number of partners approved to implement projects in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts continues to raise concern. As increasing numbers of IDPs return to these areas, the need for shelter and WASH facilities has exceeded capacities available on the ground.

- Agencies are finding the newly established inter-agency compound useful. This compound is the base of operations in support of returns to the district; UNOPS, UNDSS, UNICEF, IOM, and WFP have established a presence in the district so far.