IDPs move to new centres

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sheltered in welfare camps and relief villages in Cheddikulam, Vavuniya are moving over to new welfare centres put up in close proximity.

“We are gradually reorganising the present set up and in the new camps the number of people will be limited to 1,000, making it easier to provide more attention to individuals,” the Competent Authority for coordinating and organising welfare and relief work for displaced Northern civilians, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said.

Some of the IDPs have been relocated in newly set up camps in Weerapuram and Sumathipuram in Vavuniya and some are settling down in the newly established Zone 6 close to the Manic Farm in Cheddikulam.

“Each family will be given separate shelter. We will be able to finalise this in less than two months and the facilities provided so far will continue as usual,” the Competent Authority said.

According to the Competent Authority the new centres are in the close proximity to Malwathu Oya providing a sufficient water supply for their day-to-day activities. In addition, several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are providing drinking water facilities, the official said.

According to the Competent Authority several NGOs are supplying sanitary items and shelter material to build these new welfare centres.

“All these welfare camps are provided with 25 large screen televisions and more televisions will be provided, with the reorganisation,” the Competent Authority said.

“Individual cooking facilities are being gradually introduced for families and kitchen utensils and dry rations are provided to each family by the Government,” he said.

At present over 280,000 people displaced from many parts of the Northern Province are sheltered in these Relief Villages.