325,820 IDPs resettled in North - OCHA

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325,820 IDPs resettled in North - OCHA


Monday, 06 December 2010
'Agencies depart with completion of resettlement'As of 2 December, 2010, a total of 325,820 persons (102,081 families) have been resettled in the Northern Province since August 2009, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
In October government authorities organized several commendable initiatives to share information with the IDPs as a means of managing expectations about the return process. This included a ‘come‐and‐tell’ visit to Menik Farm by the Mullaitivu authorities on 25 October to explain the delay in returns to Puthukudiyiruppu and Maritimepattu DS Divisions stemming from widespread mine/UXO contamination. Also IDPs hailing from the Mullikkulam region of Madhu DS Division in Mannar District carried out a ‘go‐and‐see’ visit to see the conditions in their home areas. On both these occasions, local government officials and demining agencies assured the IDPs that mine clearance was paving the way for resettlement, advising against premature returns. The southern section of Mullikkulam village was released for resettlement during October, while demining continues in the northern area.OCHA report also states that an increasing number of agencies depart from Mannar District, because of perceptions that the need for their work has diminished with IDP returns complete. Authorities and partners remaining in the area continue, however, to recordsignificant continuing needs in return communities, including shelter, water, food, livelihood and other assistance. Long‐term IDPs seeking to return from Puttalam District and refugees returning from India will also require some support, the report said.ICRC closed its Mannar office on 30 November, with plans to shut down the Vavuniya and Jaffna offices as well.On 5 November, 158 alleged former combatants from Vavuniya District rehabilitation centres were handed over to their families. TheCabinet, on advice by the Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Minister, approved a reintegration plan for alleged former combatants on 4 November upon release from the ‘protective accommodation and rehabilitation centres in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, OCHAsaid.In October, 9,816 persons/3,110 families returned to their areas of origin (Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts), mostlyIDPs from host families. This group included displaced in Puttalam District returning to Mannar District, IDPs in Jaffna camps heading to Maruthankerny Divisional Secretariat (DS) and returnees to newly accessible Grama Niladari (GN) Divisions in Puthukudiyiruppu(Mullaitivu District).Between 1 November and 2 December, 3,312 persons/961 families returned to Mullaitivu and Mannar districts. Most of them originated from Menik Farm. In addition, some 700 persons/170 families returned spontaneously to Mullaitivu District. Authorities confirmed that the return process from Menik Farm to Mannar was concluded by 19 November.The OCHA report also states, as at 2 December, some 21,000 IDPs were still in Menik Farm. Zones 4 and 2 of the camps were closed on 9 November and 24 November, respectively, and the 4,600 IDPs living in these areas transferred to Zones 0 and 1, where shelters are in better condition. The consolidation exercise took place in view of the Northeast monsoon season and to maximize the limited resourcesavailable. The UN called upon the government to safeguard the voluntary character of IDP relocations and provide adequate facilitiesduring the process, especially for the most vulnerable. Agencies carried out a series of rapid assessments and stepped up interventionsto ensure that infrastructure/services in Zones 0 and 1 could support the increased demand for shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and other services. Education authorities worked to address concerns of parents regarding the possible disruption the shift could have on school examinations.The population shifted from Zones 4 and 2 accepted the move, while restating their preference to return soonest to their areas of origin.Most of the remaining IDPs originate from the heavily mine‐contaminated areas in Puthukudiyiruppu DS and Maritimepattu DS(Mullaitivu District), where mine action operations are still ongoing.With regard to vocational training, OCHA reports that this is currently being provided across the Northern Province with the supportof the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and partners, including ILO, WUSC, GTZ, UNICEF and FORUT.Courses are offered for electrical work, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding, computer hardware, tailoring, masonry, outboardmotor repair, plumbing etc. For 2011, the VTA will introduce new courses based on market dynamics in cooking and hotel management,driving (light and heavy vehicles), heavy machine operation, farm machine repair, bakery and beautician skills.In Vavuniya District, the GA office has specifically requested agencies to provide appropriate skills training to resettled youth foremployment in factories producing garments, leather products and heavy machinery to be established shortly in the area, OCHA reported.