Reconstruction and resettlement in the Northern Province:
‘A Sri Lankan success story’
S B Divaratne Secretary, Presidential Task Force for
Resettlement, Development and Security - Northern Province
The most recent experience and what may be termed ‘a Sri Lankan success story’ is what took place in the aftermath of the biggest operation launched by the Sri Lanka Security Forces in May 2009 that ended the near thirty years armed conflict in the country involving a group – the LTTE. The first step was the establishment and handling of reception centres which received the displaced civilians, administration of those who arrived at the reception centres, the establishment and management of secure relief villages for the internally displaced persons followed by the implementation of a master plan for the reconstruction of the Northern Province and the return and resettlement of the IDPs to their own homes is an experience Sri Lanka can be proud of.
 S B DIVARATNE |
The immediate challenge for the government of Sri Lanka was to look after the displaced civilians numbering over 250,000. The territory had been in the control of LTTE for nearly a quarter of a century and had to be made secure to ensure safety. It was also necessary to be alert to the probability of LTTE cadres attempting to evade capture by posing as IDPs. The identification of such persons became complicated since they were mingling with the IDPs. Quick action was required to put in place necessary arrangements to care for the displaced. Considering the very real security threat, accommodating the IDPs in the relief villages was the most efficient and safe option.
From mid 2008 civilians from LTTE controlled areas were entering government controlled areas. The government anticipated large exodus of people from the LTTE controlled areas when it defeats the LTTE and was preparing to locate them in suitable areas. The idea of keeping IDPs in one area with all necessary facilities was conceptualized as the number of people fleeing out of LTTE controlled areas had increased since 2008. By the end of 2008 there were nearly 48,000 IDPs accommodated in several welfare centres in Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts. It was decided that the location chosen should be in an area which could provide basic facilities and not far from a township, so that anyone could get there within a short space of time. Facilities considered necessary included sufficient accommodation, food, health services, water, transport, and most importantly protection of IDPs from any probability of threat.
Having taken all those necessities into consideration, the area known as ‘Menik Farm’ was selected as the suitable location to accommodate IDPs. It is only 22Km away from Vavuniya town and accessible from Vavuniya in 30-40 minutes. The large extent of land in Menik Farm avoided congestion and in turn was conducive to prevent communicable diseases. By the time the mass exodus of displaced civilians commenced 85-100 acres of land in Menik Farm had been cleared and semi permanent shelters had been constructed and further 900 acres had been identified for clearance to establish sufficient number of relief villages. The Sri Lanka Armed Forces, particularly the Sri Lanka Army took the lead role, in this emergency humanitarian effort.
 Training for Northern youth |
The influx of IDPs was about 80,000 per day towards the last stages of the operation. Sri Lanka was able to cope with the arrival of 80,000 people on the first day and another 100,000 in the week that followed. Immediately upon arrival in the government controlled areas the civilians had to be provided with food and shelter and if required medical attention.
Thereafter they had to be provided transportation to safe areas. This, invariably, took a day or two. However, within 5-7 days time, IDPs were processed and accommodated. Family members being accommodated together as far as possible. Until sufficient accommodation was made available, the government took all government schools and institutions in Vavuniya District with large buildings and accommodated IDPs in the 28 centres and thereafter transferred them to the relief villages set up in Menik Farm.
Management of Relief Villages
Administrative arrangements – The government took over the responsibility for the management of the welfare villages and took full control over all activities and its efforts were adequately supported by UN agencies and INGOs. The contribution of the Sri Lanka Army in overall management, supervision and maintenance of security has been a major contributory factor for the efficient and successful management of the relief villages.
 Security Forces personnel engaged in demining activities. File photo |
A National Co-ordinating Committee headed by the Ministry of Resettlement supervised the management of relief villages. In addition, a District Committee headed by the Government Agent of Vavuniya was also established. For the management of relief villages, the government appointed a Steering Committee headed by a senior Minister, assisted by the Armed Forces and various line ministers.
A competent authority (Retired Major-General of Sri Lanka Army) was appointed to be in charge of overall activities. He was supported by a Chief Co-ordinating Officer appointed for each relief village. For operation of the relief villages, four Government Agents from other districts were appointed as liaison officers to support the Competent Authority and the Management Committee. The respective line ministries providing essential services including health, education, water supply and electricity were given responsibility for distribution and maintenance of services.
Altogether six villages were set up in Menik Farm, where nearly 222,000 IDPs were housed. Facilities available in relief villages took various forms depending on the number of families accommodated in each village. In some relief villages there were three referral hospitals. In addition, primary healthcare centres, schools, primary schools, community kitchens, tube wells, water tanks, vocational training centres, welfare shops, banks and post offices were established. Places of religious worship for all religions were also established.
Many organizations and individuals from the rest of the country, spontaneously and overwhelmingly responded by making donations of water, food and non-food items to the relief villages.
Policy for Resettlement
The resettlement policy envisaged the following:
* That the resettlement process is voluntary
* That the IDPs should be resettled in their original places of habitation
* That the process should be dignified and safe
* That Sri Lanka Army to be a partner of the resettlement process
* That it involves informed choice of the displaced family/persons through facilitation of ‘go and see visits’ prior to resettlement
* That the provision of housing or assistance of shelter, livelihood development be made to the resettled families.
Strategy for Resettlement
Considering the gravity of the situation and the need for a rapid resettlement programme and its efficient implementation, the President appointed a Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province (PTF) in May 2009 under the Chairmanship of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister for Economic Development. The mission of the Task Force was to formulate a strategic framework for the revitalization of the Northern Province and to implement a rapid resettlement and recovery programme.
In view of the magnitude of the task, the PTF developed a three-prong approach for resettlement and reconstruction of a 30-year war-torn Northern Sri Lanka and has given full attention to its implementation using domestic resources as well as external assistance. These were:
* Providing relief and humanitarian assistance for the resettled people and restoration of basic infrastructure in the cleared area
* Early recovery process to support returnees to recommence their economic activities.
* Development of much needed major infrastructure and revival of the Northern Region for sustainability and stability.
The programme that envisaged this three-pronged approach was aptly named Uthuru Vasanthaya (Vadakkin Vasantham) which consist the following:
* Formulation of a Master Plan - Uthuru Vasanthaya to facilitate resettlement, development and reconstruction of the Northern Province.
* Launching of a 180-Day Accelerated Programme to implement a rapid resettlement programme and an early recovery process.
The objectives of the 180-Day Programme includes identification of priorities through well co-ordinated plans, enlisting support from Line Ministries to undertake activities that are required to create a conducive environment and plan out different phases of resettlement.
Each district of the Northern Province had its own programme that set out work to be undertaken as priority during the 180-Day Programme. This included access to services, roads, electricity, safe drinking water and sanitation, improvements to basic infrastructure including minor irrigation, health and education, livelihood development, etc.
A team of officials were appointed to visit the areas to assess the damage and prepare tentative estimates and to identify fund requirements. Thereafter, priorities were identified for immediate rehabilitation. Technical capacities of Government Instructions were utilized to complete such rehabilitation work. Funds available under ongoing projects were utilized to complete such work. Launching of the 180-Day Programme brought about total solutions required for rapid resettlement and early recovery process.
Challenges for Resettlement
Demining –
The most formidable challenge faced by the GoSL in post-conflict reconstruction efforts was in the field of demining operation. In order to meet these requirements, the Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU) under Sri Lanka Army was set up. The Sri Lanka Army contributed greatly in the demining operations, in addition to the work of several donor funded mine action agencies. In order to support the mine action programme, the Cabinet officially approved the establishment of a National Mine Action Co-ordinating Body with UNDP assistance. The demining process included technical and non-technical survey. Demining operations were prioritized to facilitate rapid resettlement. Firstly, battle area and subsequently areas required for resettlement of people, land where people conduct their livelihood activities, land giving access to schools, hospitals and land with essential infrastructure that required rehabilitation were taken up as priorities.
Sri Lanka achieved an impressive record in demining operation having cleared 1,319 sq. km. out of confirmed hazardous areas of 1,419 sq. km in the North. Sri Lanka Army deserves major credit for this remarkable achievement.
Restoration of basic infrastructure –
Prior to commencement of the resettlement, the GoSL spearheaded a rapid rehabilitation of infrastructure through its 180-Day Programme. Initially, priority was given to essential infrastructure. The priorities were determined by the government to ensure effective delivery of services to the displaced civilians upon resettlement. State institutions were utilized to complete the restoration. Even in this endeavour SL Army played a pivotal role in spearheading an urgent rehabilitation programme. The Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development (presently the Ministry of Economic Development) spent nearly Rs 4.4 billion (US$ 39.63 million) for rehabilitation of infrastructure identified as priorities.
Prior arrangements for resettlement –
The procedure for resettlement was adopted whilst the IDPs were in the relief villages. Based on the collection of data of each family including their native places, the District and Divisional lists based on the above data were prepared by the district officials. Arrangements for IDPs to go and see by making visits to their places of origin were also made prior to resettlement. This was planned to avoid fear and tension in the minds of IDPs when they are resettled in their places of origin soon after the traumatic experiences they had undergone. The government took special action to ensure that basic facilities were available when the people were resettled.
A comprehensive mine risk education programme supported by UNICEF/UNDP was conducted by the security officials in relief villages prior to resettlement and subsequently at transitional shelters. Transportation of IDPs to transitional shelters was co-ordinated by the Security Forces. As the Civil Administration was just being re-established, Army officials at the ground supported the Civil Administration to strengthen its capacity in handling the resettlement process.
To be continued
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