Jaffna District

Affected Divisional Secretary Divisions

(1) Point Pedro

(2) Maruthankerny

Affected People

• Number of affected families: 13,737
• Total number of affected persons: 50,000
• Total number of deaths: 1,296
• Number of persons who were in welfare camps at the initial stage: 63,810

Damages to Different Sectors

Sector	Nature of the Damage	Estimated Cost (Rs.Mn.)
Road	Roads belong to RDA, RDD and local bodies damaged.	1,149.1
Electricity	Repairs to service connection, LT Lines, HT Lines and sub-stations etc.	129.0
Fisheries	17 ½ FRP Boats 1000, 3 ½ toner boats 318, multi day boats 65, Mathal 100, stake nets 1000,	2,759.3
Irrigation	Salt water exclusion in the Islands of Jaffna.	450.0
Water supply	Valvetithurai Water Supply Scheme damaged. All wells in coastal areas have been contaminated with sea water.	350.0
Education	16 schools partly or fully damaged	536.5
Housing	3708 houses fully damaged,1700 houses partly damaged	2,279.0
Administration (Public Institutions)	Office building, Pubic Library, Community Centres, Public Sanitation Facilities, Drainage etc.	148.0
Total		7,800.9

Actions Taken

• Drinking water, cooked food and other dry rations have been provided to Tsunami victims with the support of government agencies, NGOs, international agencies and philanthropists.
• Mobile medical clinics have been held by three medical teams for the affected people.
• All wells and damaged toilets have been repaired and garbage and debris in the affected areas have been disposed.
• Arrangements have been made to relocate around 1,904 families.

• Nearly 900 dead person’s families were provided with funeral assistance (Rs. 15,00 per each).
• 0.8 mn. kg. rice, 0.34 mn. kg. flour, 0.18 mn. kg. dhal, 0.07 mn. kg. sugar and 0.04 mn. kg. oil were distributed to the Tsunami victims under the World Food Programme.
• A weekly dry ration worth Rs. 175 and cash grant worth Rs. 200 per person were distributed among 50,000 people.
• Around 12,260 families were given financial assistance to rebuild their houses (Rs. 5000 per each family)
• 7686 families were provided cash grants to buy basic household items. (Rs. 2500 per each)

Confronted Problems and Issues

• Communication gap between the District Secretariat and the affected people in the area.
• Short supply of construction material for temporary shelter.
• No proper coordination between the Government institutions, NGOs, CBOs and other stakeholders
• Shortage of machinery and equipment for water supply and human waste disposal
• Inadequate mental health promotion
• Frequent movement of displaced families in and out to other areas
• Delays in identification of land, landmine clearance, debris clearance, and construction of houses.

Challenges Ahead

• Lack of funds for resettlement and relocation purposes.
• Addressing the needs of women headed families and affected children.
• Loss of fishing equipment and skilled fishermen.
• Provision of infrastructure adequately.

Way Forward

The Tsunami disaster has aggravated the socio-economic problems faced by the war affected people. Therefore the on-going “Triple R” process has to be expedited ensuring people in the area back to normal.

EXPERIENCE AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

Jaffna District

The Jaffna District is divided into four areas geographically. They are Islands Valikamam, Thenmaradchi and Vadamaradchi. Vadamaradchi area is divided into three administrative Divisions. Vadamaradchi South West, Vadamaradchi North, and Vadamaradchi East. Vadamaradchi North and Vadamaradchi East are coastal areas. Both areas were devastated by Tsunami tidal wave. Due to Tsunami disaster 1296 people died and 1240 people are reported as missing. Most of them are women and children. 1647 persons were injured. About 71 villages or hamlets have been affected. 50,000 people have been affected directly or indirectly. 16 schools have been fully or partly damaged. Infrastructure facilities have been completely damaged. This natural disaster had fully affected the fishing economy in Jaffna District.

During the twenty five years, Jaffna District faced two categories of disaster. One is man made disaster and other is Tsunami tidal wave disaster. Due to man made disaster more than 500, 000 people had been displaced to other areas or other countries permanently or temporarily 30% of the population still remain displaced or refugees. Thousands of people lost their lives. A high percentage of house holds are headed by women.

There are many displacement took place in Jaffna District during the last twenty five years. Major displacement took place in 1995 in Jaffna District. About 500,000 peoples displaced. Due to the High Security Zone, about 90,000 people had to be displaced from Valikamam North Divisional Secretariat Division in 1990. these displaced people could not return to their own areas up to now. They still live in welfare centers, with friends and relations. In March 2000 another Major displacement took place in Thenmarachcy area. About 70,000 people displaced due to military operation. This experience was very helpful to take immediate action to save the people affected by the Tsunami in Vadamarachchy area.

Experience

Due to tsunami disaster the district faced many problems

1. Communication gap between disaster area to District Secretariat

2. Short supply of construction materials for temporary shelter

3. Lack of basic facilities

4. No proper coordination between the Government institution and the NGOO, CBOO, and other stake holders

5. Shortage of machineries and equipment for water supply and human waste disposal

6. Inadequate mental health promotion

7. Frequency movement of displaced families in and out to other areas

Challenges

The “Tsunami” disaster, took place on 26^th December due to Earth quake off the coast of Indonesia has severally damaged the fishing villages in the coastal areas of Vadamarachchy in Jaffna District, Infrastructure facilities, Educations and Health were affected and Fishing Economy totally divas tested. We are faced with following problems in Jaffna District,

1. Resettlement and relocation

2. Women headed families and affected children

3. Loss of fishing equipment and skill fisherman

4. Drinking water facilities

5. Damaged schools

6. Damaged roads

7. Economic assistance

Resettlement and relocation

Due to “Tsunami” disaster there are 40,000 people have been displaced. The displaced people have to be relocated, but following problems there are,

1. Identification of land

2. Lands mines clearance

3. Debris clearance

4. Construction of houses

Identification of land

According to the government policy the relocation of the “Tsunami” affected families the relocation should be outside 200 meter from the coastal area for buffer zonal area. Total land are of the Jaffna District is 1023.22 sqkm including inland waters. About 95 percentage of the land is private and other 5% is states land. But this 5% of the states land is not suitable for resettlement. So there is land problem to resettle the displaced people. At the same time Vadamaradchchi East A.G.A. Division is a long stretch of a coastal line. One side of this A.G.A Division is sea and other side is Vadamarachchi lagoon. Due to buffer zone this areas is reduced. Further about 15% of the land of in Jaffna District is under High Security Zone. People from Valikamam North were temporary accommodated in Point Pedro and Maruthankerny. They again affected by the “Tsunami”. If the Government allows resettlement in high Security Zone, land problem could be eared.

Land mines

Land mines is a vary series problem in Jaffna District for the last ten years. Many peoples have been affected by land mines. Many land mines buried were washed away and buried under sand in people living area. This is a very series problem to resettle people

Debris

Debris is another serious problem for relocation in coastal area of Vadamarachchi. The debris should be removed. Debris had to fill foundation of new construction but the balance should be disposed. It should be disposed. There is another problem environmental hazard. However, this is being done in both Vadamarachchy North and East.

Housing

The housing had been the worst affected sector. 3708 houses have been fully damaged including semi permanent houses and huts in Vadamarachchi area and 1700 houses partly damaged.

Women headed families and children

Children and Women are affected by civil conflict, Due to “Tsunami” disaster many children lost their parents and either Father or Mother. Many children were seriously injured and affected mentally or psychology Women also affected by “Tsunami” disaster. Many women have been widowed and loss their children. Many women have been seriously injured. Due to disasters, for the last twenty five years children and women have been seriously affected. This as a major concern to Jaffna District. Tsunami affected widows 38 numbers, orphans 103 numbers.

Loss of fishing equipment and skill fisherman

The fisheries sector is an important sector of the Jaffna District. It provided direct employment for 70,000 persons and another 15,000 persons indirectly in related occupations. The civil disturbance reversed this trend and led to a substantial decline in fish production and income to fisherman. The collapse of institutional arrangements and marketing channels that supported and serviced the fisheries sector have further contributed to the devastation of the sector up to signing of MOU between Sri Lanka Government and L.T.T.E. Fishing is allowed through out day and night and uses any type of boats and fishing gears are permitted. But due to “Tsunami” disaster, all the fishing equipment Maruthankerny, Point Pedro, Tellipallai, Mathagal, Chankanai, Karinagar, Kayts, Delft areas were damaged. This is a major set back to fishing economy in Jaffna District. High potential areas of fishing have been damaged. Total cost lost fishing assets is Rs.1000Mn. Number of fishermen in Vadamarachchi North area and Vadamarachchi East area have been killed.

Damaged schools

The education sector in one of the important sector in the socio economic and cultural fabric of Jaffna people. The long standing heritage in education has helped the Jaffna people to build up cultural society which internationally acceptable. Although there were interruptions occurred from time to time. The Jaffna society gave priority for the development of education. The damaged school building in Vadamarachchy North and Vadamarachchy East are as should build as a priority.

Drinking water facilities and sanitation

The Jaffna Peninsula is an area in Sri Lanka , where the underground water is used for purpose such as Drinking, Agricultural and Industries. Paddy cultivation is rain fed but it is for nearly three months during the North East monsoon period.

Since October 2004, rainfall was appeared up to December 2004. Rainfall in 2004 was very high compared with last ten years in Jaffna District. Due to Tsunami Disaster all the wells in coastal areas of Vadamarachchi North and Vadamarachchy East have been changed as Salinity. It is a serious problem in these areas. All salinity wells were pumped and chlorinated at many times but salinity do not changed.

Fresh water supply facilities have to needs for living.

1. It is one of the basic needs for living

2. Safe drinking water provision for to affected person will improve the living condition and prevent water borne diseases

3. Drinking water facilities to areas of water shortage will encourage the displaced people to resettle

4. Facilitate removal of the Human wastage

5. Relief the shortage of the scavenging labourer

Damaged roads

Jaffna District had a fairly satisfactory road network before 1985. But due to continued conflict and Tsunami tidal wave, all roads maintained by RDD,RDA and local bodies had been damaged and washed away in coastal area of Vadamarachchi. The possibility of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in area along the road and causeways. The causeway has also prevented or seriously restricted maintenance of works.

Economic assistance

From 1997, several documents requesting funds for the reconstruction of Jaffna District were presented to funding agencies through the Government but the required funds for the proposed projects were not received for the implementation. The main constraint is the financing for the implementation of the projects. The position with regard to reconstruction of the Tsunami affected activities are the same. Lively hood assistance also requires funds for disbursement among the affected families.

Conclusion

The last twenty five years the Jaffna District faced two categories of disaster. One is manmade disaster and other is Tsunami disaster. Due to manmade disaster, we got experience to take immediate action to humanitarian and relief work. Many institutions such as UN agencies, International agencies NGOO, CBOO and other stake holders were assisted. These experiences have contributed to take action during tsunami disaster for timely.

EXPERIENCE AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

Jaffna District

The Jaffna District is divided into four areas geographically. They are Islands Valikamam, Thenmaradchi and Vadamaradchi. Vadamaradchi area is divided into three administrative Divisions. Vadamaradchi South West, Vadamaradchi North, and Vadamaradchi East. Vadamaradchi North and Vadamaradchi East are coastal areas. Both areas were devastated by Tsunami tidal wave. Due to Tsunami disaster 1296 people died and 1240 people are reported as missing. Most of them are women and children. 1647 persons were injured. About 71 villages or hamlets have been affected. 50,000 people have been affected directly or indirectly. 16 schools have been fully or partly damaged. Infrastructure facilities have been completely damaged. This natural disaster had fully affected the fishing economy in Jaffna District.

During the twenty five years, Jaffna District faced two categories of disaster. One is man made disaster and other is Tsunami tidal wave disaster. Due to man made disaster more than 500, 000 people had been displaced to other areas or other countries permanently or temporarily 30% of the population still remain displaced or refugees. Thousands of people lost their lives. A high percentage of house holds are headed by women.

There are many displacement took place in Jaffna District during the last twenty five years. Major displacement took place in 1995 in Jaffna District. About 500,000 peoples displaced. Due to the High Security Zone, about 90,000 people had to be displaced from Valikamam North Divisional Secretariat Division in 1990. these displaced people could not return to their own areas up to now. They still live in welfare centers, with friends and relations. In March 2000 another Major displacement took place in Thenmarachcy area. About 70,000 people displaced due to military operation. This experience was very helpful to take immediate action to save the people affected by the Tsunami in Vadamarachchy area.

Experience

Due to tsunami disaster the district faced many problems

8. Communication gap between disaster area to District Secretariat

9. Short supply of construction materials for temporary shelter

10. Lack of basic facilities

11. No proper coordination between the Government institution and the NGOO, CBOO, and other stake holders

12. Shortage of machineries and equipment for water supply and human waste disposal

13. Inadequate mental health promotion

14. Frequency movement of displaced families in and out to other areas

Challenges

The “Tsunami” disaster, took place on 26^th December due to Earth quake off the coast of Indonesia has severally damaged the fishing villages in the coastal areas of Vadamarachchy in Jaffna District, Infrastructure facilities, Educations and Health were affected and Fishing Economy totally divas tested. We are faced with following problems in Jaffna District,

8. Resettlement and relocation

9. Women headed families and affected children

10. Loss of fishing equipment and skill fisherman

11. Drinking water facilities

12. Damaged schools

13. Damaged roads

14. Economic assistance

Resettlement and relocation

Due to “Tsunami” disaster there are 40,000 people have been displaced. The displaced people have to be relocated, but following problems there are,

5. Identification of land

6. Lands mines clearance

7. Debris clearance

8. Construction of houses

Identification of land

According to the government policy the relocation of the “Tsunami” affected families the relocation should be outside 200 meter from the coastal area for buffer zonal area. Total land are of the Jaffna District is 1023.22 sqkm including inland waters. About 95 percentage of the land is private and other 5% is states land. But this 5% of the states land is not suitable for resettlement. So there is land problem to resettle the displaced people. At the same time Vadamaradchchi East A.G.A. Division is a long stretch of a coastal line. One side of this A.G.A Division is sea and other side is Vadamarachchi lagoon. Due to buffer zone this areas is reduced. Further about 15% of the land of in Jaffna District is under High Security Zone. People from Valikamam North were temporary accommodated in Point Pedro and Maruthankerny. They again affected by the “Tsunami”. If the Government allows resettlement in high Security Zone, land problem could be eared.

Land mines

Land mines is a vary series problem in Jaffna District for the last ten years. Many peoples have been affected by land mines. Many land mines buried were washed away and buried under sand in people living area. This is a very series problem to resettle people

Debris

Debris is another serious problem for relocation in coastal area of Vadamarachchi. The debris should be removed. Debris had to fill foundation of new construction but the balance should be disposed. It should be disposed. There is another problem environmental hazard. However, this is being done in both Vadamarachchy North and East.

Housing

The housing had been the worst affected sector. 3708 houses have been fully damaged including semi permanent houses and huts in Vadamarachchi area and 1700 houses partly damaged.

Women headed families and children

Children and Women are affected by civil conflict, Due to “Tsunami” disaster many children lost their parents and either Father or Mother. Many children were seriously injured and affected mentally or psychology Women also affected by “Tsunami” disaster. Many women have been widowed and loss their children. Many women have been seriously injured. Due to disasters, for the last twenty five years children and women have been seriously affected. This as a major concern to Jaffna District. Tsunami affected widows 38 numbers, orphans 103 numbers.

Loss of fishing equipment and skill fisherman

The fisheries sector is an important sector of the Jaffna District. It provided direct employment for 70,000 persons and another 15,000 persons indirectly in related occupations. The civil disturbance reversed this trend and led to a substantial decline in fish production and income to fisherman. The collapse of institutional arrangements and marketing channels that supported and serviced the fisheries sector have further contributed to the devastation of the sector up to signing of MOU between Sri Lanka Government and L.T.T.E. Fishing is allowed through out day and night and uses any type of boats and fishing gears are permitted. But due to “Tsunami” disaster, all the fishing equipment Maruthankerny, Point Pedro, Tellipallai, Mathagal, Chankanai, Karinagar, Kayts, Delft areas were damaged. This is a major set back to fishing economy in Jaffna District. High potential areas of fishing have been damaged. Total cost lost fishing assets is Rs.1000Mn. Number of fishermen in Vadamarachchi North area and Vadamarachchi East area have been killed.

Damaged schools

The education sector in one of the important sector in the socio economic and cultural fabric of Jaffna people. The long standing heritage in education has helped the Jaffna people to build up cultural society which internationally acceptable. Although there were interruptions occurred from time to time. The Jaffna society gave priority for the development of education. The damaged school building in Vadamarachchy North and Vadamarachchy East are as should build as a priority.

Drinking water facilities and sanitation

The Jaffna Peninsula is an area in Sri Lanka , where the underground water is used for purpose such as Drinking, Agricultural and Industries. Paddy cultivation is rain fed but it is for nearly three months during the North East monsoon period.

Since October 2004, rainfall was appeared up to December 2004. Rainfall in 2004 was very high compared with last ten years in Jaffna District. Due to Tsunami Disaster all the wells in coastal areas of Vadamarachchi North and Vadamarachchy East have been changed as Salinity. It is a serious problem in these areas. All salinity wells were pumped and chlorinated at many times but salinity do not changed.

Fresh water supply facilities have to needs for living.

6. It is one of the basic needs for living

7. Safe drinking water provision for to affected person will improve the living condition and prevent water borne diseases

8. Drinking water facilities to areas of water shortage will encourage the displaced people to resettle

9. Facilitate removal of the Human wastage

10. Relief the shortage of the scavenging labourer

Damaged roads

Jaffna District had a fairly satisfactory road network before 1985. But due to continued conflict and Tsunami tidal wave, all roads maintained by RDD,RDA and local bodies had been damaged and washed away in coastal area of Vadamarachchi. The possibility of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in area along the road and causeways. The causeway has also prevented or seriously restricted maintenance of works.

Economic assistance

From 1997, several documents requesting funds for the reconstruction of Jaffna District were presented to funding agencies through the Government but the required funds for the proposed projects were not received for the implementation. The main constraint is the financing for the implementation of the projects. The position with regard to reconstruction of the Tsunami affected activities are the same. Lively hood assistance also requires funds for disbursement among the affected families.

Conclusion

The last twenty five years the Jaffna District faced two categories of disaster. One is manmade disaster and other is Tsunami disaster. Due to manmade disaster, we got experience to take immediate action to humanitarian and relief work. Many institutions such as UN agencies, International agencies NGOO, CBOO and other stake holders were assisted. These experiences have contributed to take action during tsunami disaster for timely.