Ampara District

 

 

Affected Divisional Secretary Divisions: (11)

 

Affected People

  • Number of affected families : 38,000
  • Total number of affected persons: 193,000
  • Total number of deaths : 10,436
  • Number of welfare camps at initial stage: 67

 

 

Damages to Different Sectors

 

Sector

Nature of the Damage

Estimated Cost

 (Rs. mn)

Road

All roads in the affected area have been severely damaged (RDA & RDD)

548.0

 

Telecommunication

 

10.0

Water supply

 

66.0

Electricity

 

172.0

Tourism

 

300.0

Agriculture

Agricultural lands along the coast have been damaged by salt water. 

82.0

Irrigation

 

9.0

Education

40 schools damaged.

368.0

Administration (Public Institutions)

10 DS office buildings have been affected, 02 Pradeshiya Shaba buildings were damaged

145.0

 

Health

02 district hospitals, 01 rural hospital, 01 peripheral unit, and 03 dispensaries were damaged.

414.0

Fisheries

Fishing villages, fishing boats and gears were damaged.

1,456.0

Housing

Total number of houses

damaged: 27,562

fully damaged : 17,117

partially damaged : 10,445

40,875.0

Other

 

742.0

Total

45,187.0

 

 

 

 

 

Actions Taken

  • Immediate needs of the affected people were attended by Kachcheri, Divisional Secretariats, Ministries, WFP and NGOs.
  • Temporary shelters have been given in schools, public buildings and some other places with minimum basic facilities.
  • Temporary hospitals have been set up in places where hospitals destroyed. 
  • 6,500 temporary houses have been constructed.
  • Rs. 5000 and Rs. 2500 were given to each affected family.  (Livelihood allowance and grant to purchase kitchen utensils).
  • Food ration was given to affected families by WFP.
  • 25 state owned land parcels have been identified for the construction of permanent houses.
  • MOUs were signed with NGOs to construct 5,172 permanent houses in 18 villages.
  • Initial works have commenced to purchase lands from private owners.

 

Confronted Problems and Issues

  • Proper targeting of affected people for relief activities.
  • Difficulty in finding lands to reside 11,000 families in Kalmunai MC area and inadequate staff positions of the UDA.
  • Some people, particularly fishermen are reluctant to reside in new settlements.
  • Different opinions between politicians regarding resettlement activities.
  • Lack of skilled manpower for re-building infrastructure.
  • People do not like to change their traditional living style.
  • Some people do not like to leave the camps as they are given food and other essentials freely.

 

Challenges Ahead

  • Limitations in the construction field in building a large number of houses simultaneously.
  • Providing necessary facilities to fishermen and small industrialists.
  • Repair damaged highways and bridges within a short period of time.

 


Post Tsunami Recovery Process

District Experience and Challenges Ahead

 

Ampara District

 

 

Affected Divisional Secretary Divisions: (11)

 

Affected People

·        Number of affected families : 38,000

·        Total number of affected persons: 193,000

·        Total number of deaths : 10,436

·        Number of welfare camps at initial stage: 67

 

 

Damages to Different Sectors

 

Sector

Nature of the Damage

Estimated Cost

 (Rs. mn)

Road

All roads in the affected area have been severely damaged (RDA & RDD)

548.0

 

Telecommunication

 

10.0

Water supply

 

66.0

Electricity

 

172.0

Tourism

 

300.0

Agriculture

Agricultural lands along the coast have been damaged by salt water. 

82.0

Irrigation

 

9.0

Education

40 schools damaged.

368.0

Administration (Public Institutions)

10 DS office buildings have been affected, 02 Pradeshiya Shaba buildings were damaged

145.0

 

Health

02 district hospitals, 01 rural hospital, 01 peripheral unit, and 03 dispensaries were damaged.

414.0

Fisheries

Fishing villages, fishing boats and gears were damaged.

1,456.0

Housing

Total number of houses

damaged: 27,562

fully damaged : 17,117

partially damaged : 10,445

40,875.0

Other

 

742.0

Total

45,187.0

 

 

 

 

 

Actions Taken

·        Immediate needs of the affected people were attended by Kachcheri, Divisional Secretariats, Ministries, WFP and NGOs.

·        Temporary shelters have been given in schools, public buildings and some other places with minimum basic facilities.

·        Temporary hospitals have been set up in places where hospitals destroyed. 

·        6,500 temporary houses have been constructed.

·        Rs. 5000 and Rs. 2500 were given to each affected family.  (Livelihood allowance and grant to purchase kitchen utensils).

·        Food ration was given to affected families by WFP.

·        25 state owned land parcels have been identified for the construction of permanent houses.

·        MOUs were signed with NGOs to construct 5,172 permanent houses in 18 villages.

·        Initial works have commenced to purchase lands from private owners.

 

Confronted Problems and Issues

·        Proper targeting of affected people for relief activities.

·        Difficulty in finding lands to reside 11,000 families in Kalmunai MC area and inadequate staff positions of the UDA.

·        Some people, particularly fishermen are reluctant to reside in new settlements.

·        Different opinions between politicians regarding resettlement activities.

·        Lack of skilled manpower for re-building infrastructure.

·        People do not like to change their traditional living style.

·        Some people do not like to leave the camps as they are given food and other essentials freely.

 

Challenges Ahead

·        Limitations in the construction field in building a large number of houses simultaneously.

·        Providing necessary facilities to fishermen and small industrialists.

·        Repair damaged highways and bridges within a short period of time.

 


 

 

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

AMPARA District

 

 

Areas 01 km from seashore in 11 divisional secretariat divisions in Ampara District have been badly affected by Tsunami Tidal Wave occurred on 26.12.2004 between 08.50 a.m. to 09.00 a.m.

 

All basic facilities including lives such as houses, small industries, fishing education health, electricity, roads, water supply etc. have been completely damaged.  The same day from 09.00 a.m. to the end of the next day the people moved from the coastal area to higher area in west of Ampara District.

 

Particularly, coastal area people moved as follows:

 

i.                    From Kalmunai Tamil division to Chavalakkadaei and Central Camp areas

ii.                  From Kalmunai Muslim, Sainthamaruthu, Karaitheevu and Ninthavur divisions to Sammanthurai and Amparai divisions.

iii.                From Addalaichchai to Alankulam area

iv.               From Akkaraipattu to Pallikkudyuruppu and Issanganicheemai areas

v.                 From Alayadiwembu and Thirukkovil to Sagmam, Mandane, Gannahipuram and Akkaraipattu areas.

vi.               From Pottuvil and Panama area in the division.

 

During this period it is reported that about 193,000 displaced people from unaffected area rendered immediate helps to the affected. Following this, sufficient food items and basic needs were distributed to the affected people through World Food Programme, Kachcheri Ampara, Sectoral Ministries, well wishers and donors.

 

It was reported about 7000 people have died, Rs 15,000 was granted as funeral expenses. On the basis of latest data about 27,572 houses were damaged. Of these houses about 17,117 fully damaged and 10,445 partly damaged.

 

Collapse bridges and causeways along the main roads are vast inconvenience caused by this Tsunami tidal wave. Unworthy roads had to be used through Sagamam because causeways along the road from Akkaraipattu to Thirukkovil and bridge along the road from Thirukkovil to Komari have been damaged. Siyambalanduwa road was made use of to go to Pottuvil and Panama areas. Food were taken Helicopter to Panama from Pottuvil cause to the damage to Arugabay Bridge.

 

Fears and panic prevailed among the people for 04 days. After that people returned to their own areas. This people were settled in Schools, Public buildings and Welfare Centres. Most of them preferred to stay in their relatives or friends houses. Divisional Secretaries and relevant officials arrange necessary facilities to this people. The above officials rendered their services with utmost devotion. Government and Non Government Organisations have been taking part to construct temporary shelters to the affected people in schools, public buildings and other places. Approximately 15000 temporary houses are needed but 6500 temporary houses have been constructed so far. Rest of the houses are under construction. There are difficulties to identify lands even to construct temporary houses for about 11000 families in Kalmunai municipal council area. This problem has been resolved little by little among the difficulties. Necessary basic facilities are given this affected people living in temporary houses.

 

In addition, the Government through Ministry of Social Service gives Rs. 2500.00 and Ministry of Finance Rs. 5000.00 to each family. Moreover World Food Programme grants 400g. Rice or wheat flour, 60g. Dhal, 20g. Sugar, 20g Cooking Oil and Rs. 200.00 in cash. The food items are provided through coupon system.

 

As there are no state lands in Kalmunai (TD), Kalmunai (MD), Sainthamaruthi, Karaitheevu and Ninthavur to construct permanent houses, private land have to be purchased for this purpose, paddy field land and high land have been identified and arrangements have been taken to purchase this lands. Initial works have been completed to purchase land in Islamabath in Kalmunai (MD).

 

On the other hand state land available in Addlalaichenai, Akkaraipttu, Alayadiwemby, Thirukkovil, Pottuvil and Lahugala DSS to construct permanent houses 25 places have been identified in this area and initial works are completed. People are reluctant to live in some identified areas such as Sarodayapuram in Pottuvil because it was these placed had been deserted by this people for war.

 

Initial works have begun to construct permanent houses. 08 Non Government Organisations and well-wishers signed Memorandum of Understanding up to 04. 04. 2005 to construct 5172 permanent houses in 18 villages. It should be mentioned that activities are getting delayed due to the lack of UDA staff.

 

Sectoral Departments have lost many properties as follows.

 

Name of the Building/Facilities/Infrastructure Sector and DS Division Wise

Approximate cost of the Reconstruc: of the Building/ Facilities/Infrastructure

(Rs Mn)

Agriculture

28.23

Electricity

172.38

Health

424.50

Road (RDA)

483.60

Road (RDD)

62.18

Irrigation (P/DDI)

42.00

Irrigation (C/DDI)

33.11

Irrigation (C/DDI)

33.11

Water Supply

66.00

Postal

9.95

Education

118.64

Education

240.33

Fisheries

153.19

Telecom

Report not received

Wildlife

Report not received

DS Division

 

Addalaichenai

14.50

Akkaraipattu

3.45

Alayadewembu

7.30

Kalmunai (MD)

505.00

Kalmunai (TD)

45.00