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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Kilinochchi, Trincomalee, Batticaloa & Ampara districts Daily Situation Report #19

CHA reports that on 23rd August selected aid agencies met the Advisor to the President, Mr Basil Rajapaksha, to look at present issues and situation. Among others, outcomes are: the work permit deadline is extended to another week (previous deadline was 31st August), the lack of clarity on MoD alleged requests on permits has been noted, access and security will be followed up. A hotline is to be requested from the MoD for agencies to call during emergencies.
KILINOCHCHI DISTRICT

IDP's

- Due to yesterday's shelling in Vadamarachchi East (Uduthurai and Aliawalai areas); 450 families (1584 persons) have fled the area towards Kilinochchi district.

Sector Response

Water and Sanitation

- As reported on 23rd August, CARE has completed the IDPs needs assessment in 25 common areas (schools and churches) in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. According to the assessment, IDPs in 13 of these locations have moved to other locations and in the remaining 12 locations, there are 982 families (2792 persons) and a total 26 toilets (15 female, 11 male) are available. It is estimated that at least 53 more toilets need to be constructed in these locations. Solidar is also currently conducting a similar needs assessment in 10 common locations, results to be communicated tomorrow 25th August, at the IDP coordination meeting. UNICEF has agreed to provide NFRIs to these IDPs.

Health

- All existing large medical equipments in the previous Kilinochchi hospital have been moved to the new general Hospital as of today August 24, 2006, following instructions given by the DPDHS.

- As of last Tuesday 22nd August, The SLA has allowed ambulances to travel between Kilinochchi and Vavuniya DS divisions between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. SLA

Food

- ICRC continues the negotiation for transporting food to Vanni area from Colombo and Vavuniya.

NFRI's

- ICRC has distributed 552 NFRIs to IDP families living in Semmankundru GTMS, Poonagary DS division yesterday August 23, 2006. Out of the 600 families expected at the school, 48 families were not at the site when the items were distributed.

- The NFRI distribution planned by FORUT for August 22, 2006 at Arasapuram GMTS, has been postponed to August 23 and 24 and in addition to the 30 families Arasapuram GMTS, it is been planned to distribute NFRIs for families living with friends and relatives. According to the plan, 306 families will receive the NFRI packages (PTK west (116 families), PTK east (57 families), Udaiyarkadhu south (48 families), and Udaiyarkadhu north (55 families))

Co-ordination

- Aid agencies will meet with the Additional GA and NGO Council tomorrow 25 August morning to discuss IDPs and settlement Issues in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.

- Inter agency shelter coordination meeting will be held tomorrow August 25, 2006 to discuss shelter and settlement issues for IDPs in schools and communal areas as the school period is approaching in September. The problem with settlement in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts is that there are no clearly defined settlement areas given by the PDS (Planning and Development Secretariat). This issue is expected to be resolved between PDS and aid agencies at the meeting.

TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT

Situation Update

- The UNDSS security assessment was carried out today 24th August and cleared access for UN agencies to the Muttur area.

BATTICALOA DISTRICT

Situation Update

- Continued artillery shelling particularly in Manmunai West (Vavunathivu) DS Division - The report of the UN joint assessment conducted on 17th August, has been finalized and circulated among the humanitarian community in Batticaloa

- On 23 August, World Concern distributed dry ration and NFRIs to 75 families in Arayampathy DS division

AMPARA DISTRICT

Situation Update

- CARE, World Vision and Save the Children reported today 24th August that Police Officers have visited their offices and instructed them to have MoD registration by the 31st August or cease operations. Whilst it was informed through CHA that the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights clarified that no MoD registration is required, the instructions being handed over to INGOs by the Police date back to 31st July.

IASC CT Secretariat (UNOCHA)

202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 11 4528689 Ext. 384 / Fax: +94 11 452869