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| Sunday, 13 March 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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by Indira P. Dahanayake
'In the aftermath of the tsunami many hurdles have to be cleared, says Lionel Fernando, Chairman of Disaster Relief Monitoring Unit, (DRMU) Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Fernando's task of rehabilitation involves: Assisting the IDP (Internally Displaced People) Project to monitor government services to tsunami victims especially in terms of relief benefits, land titles and support to livelihood from the perspective of human rights. Making policy prescriptions to the government on a regular basis on human rights protection in the relief and construction process. Working out a code of conduct for state officials with regard to relief and reconstruction. Working with the IDP project toward ensuring basic needs, social and economic rights of tsunami victims (sanitation, food, water, housing health and education) Special concern will be given to the needs of women and children. Liaising with the government task forces, and officials on a regular basis with regard to human rights protection in the relief, and rehabilitation programme and to lobby for a more inclusive process involving all groups in decision making. Consulting and liaising with NGOs with regard to human rights issues in the relief and reconstruction process. Consulting and liaising with local level government officials about human rights especially at district level. Working with inquiries and investigation division in monitoring human rights, violations and rule of law violations experienced by tsunami victims. "With the opening of the DRMU in January this year, initial work called for a workshop at Weligama. This was a combined effort with the Human Rights Commission (HRC)". Since then camps have been held in Galle, Weligama, Matara, Tangalle and Hambantota. "Our rehabilitation work began with much commitment as a team involving the administrative secretaries of the respective areas, Government agents, and Grama Sevekas. "Here I must specially mention the highly commendable attitude of the Dharma Kabeer Mosque in Hambantota. The authorities of the mosque spared no time in finding accommodation for hundred refugees irrespective of racial status. The neighbours brought food taking turns, while the authorities built toilets for them", he continued. "From the South our team consisting of Y.K. de Silva, Mrs. Nirekha de Silva with the above mentioned crowd, moved to the Northeastern area that included Ampara, Batticaloa and Kalmunai. We were joined by U.N. advisor Rory Mungoven. Kalmunai and adjoining areas such as Sahinda Marandu and Samanturai, were devastated as much as Kaththankudi, Kalkuda in Batticaloa district, and Akkaraipattu, Pottuvil and Thirukkovil in the Ampara district. "Most of the relief work began after our arrival, starting with the replacement of the Valaichenai bridge. The transition period of moving the displaced from tents to sheds were going on at the time of our arrival. "It was a week end, and yet the grama sevekas were all on the field. They had only the minimum facilities such as a rickety old push bicycle. The filling of forms had to be done by them for thousands of refugees. Some of them had to skip their meals. The forces too had been very helpful to tsunami affected crowds, especially in the distribution of relief. There was no racial barriers among these helpers who were joined by the NGOs, added Fernando. Professor Chitralekha Maunaguru, and Amara were deeply involved in helping women and children. "Among the non-violent peace force, were civil co-ordinators such as Government agents, divisional secretaries. Special mention should be made about the government agent of Galle Mr. G. Hewawitarana who worked day and night without a rest. I think this team needs more volunteers to do a quick job in rehabilitation work. "It would be a good idea if the unemployed graduates are given a chance to help this team on rehabilitation work, such as filling forms etc....on a temporary basis. It will undoubtedly provide a good experience for them, he concluded." |
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