Resettling IDPs cannot be done in ad hoc manner

Repair work started:

Host families could house IDPs:

by Shanika SRIYANANDA in Vavuniya

The Government has expedited resettling the IDPs in their own environs in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. The Vavuniya Government Agent P.S.M. Charles said that she is confident that over 130,000 internally displaced people would be resettled before the end of this month. Under the speedy resettlement drive, the IDPs from, Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna will be sent home first. In an exclusive interview with the ‘Sunday Observer’, Charles, said that the Government is confident that the IDPS could be resettled soon.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: The IDPs and also the agencies have warned of a severe crisis in camps with the monsoons. Are you prepared for such an emergency situation?

A: Yes. We are well prepared and are ready with a contingency plan to look after the displaced people in camps. It is especially prepared for the forthcoming monsoon.

We have already started cleaning, reconstructing and repairing drainage and sanitation systems in the camps. Some schools are earmarked to house them in an emergency. The Army engineers with the other agencies are assisting us.

Over 90 per cent of upgrading drainage systems have been completed and repairs to toilets and damaged shelters already underway.

Q: The major complaint was that these camps are still congested and why the plan for de-congesting is getting delayed?

A: There is no delay. We are going according to our plans. When IDPs are being resettled the congestion in these camps is greatly reduced. Over 2600 IDPs including 600 pregnant mothers and their husbands have been released.

They are now resettled in Jaffna. Upto now we have resettled more than 40,000 IDPs. This has resulted in easing congestion in the camps. Gradually, all these IDPs will be resettled in their original lands.

But still we have some issues in the Zone II which was set up in a very crucial time. We have designed satellite camps to move IDPs from Zone II to reduce congestion. Earlier, there were over 70,000 IDPs, but the number has reduced to 60,000 now. Under the resettlement plan, they will be resettled soon.

We faced the worst scenario at the beginning when over 280,000 flowed into Government controlled areas.

It was really a difficult task and we faced the situation with minimum resources. The Presidential Secretariat and other relevant ministries supported us immensely. Compared to the initial stage, everything has come to normal.

Q: Child population is high and what are the facilities given them to have an uninterrupted education?

A: There are schools in the camps where from the primary to advanced levels, classes are being held. Even primary-schools are functioning. Advanced Level students sat the exam and now the Ordinary Level students are getting ready for the exam. They are given extra classes.We have released 350 university students and their families to continue their studies. They have already started their education.

Q: Apart from resettling them, is their any special program where they are released to their relatives who can afford to look after them?

A: Yes, it is the host family scheme. I have already received 6,000 applications within Vavuniya to host IDP families who are their friends and relatives.

If selected, the host family should look after the IDP family and they are responsible for providing them food, accommodation and other basic needs.When they submit an application their resident details will be certified by the Grama Niladharai and I have to recommend the application.

There is a self declaration where the host family agrees to be responsible for any damage caused to the environment and the resources of the area. Simply, he or she has to give a guarantee that the host IDP family will not engage in any illegal activity.

Then the application will be sent to the Security Forces Commander for security clearance.

Once they obtain security clearance they will be released from the camps. When the environment is ready after demining, they can come to live in their own areas in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu.

Q: The Government hopes to cultivate the Rice Bowl in Mannar in the coming Maha season. What is the progress of preparing for it?

A: The area is being de-mined and it is almost nearing completion and we hope to resettle IDPs of the Rice Bowl area very soon. The Army Engineering Unit and the other NGOs are engaging in de-mining. Over 4,000 IDPs have been identified to be resettled in the rice bowl areas end of this month. Our target is to resettle 17,000 people in the Rice Bowl.

Demining is going at a rapid pace and it is a collective responsibility of the district administration. The UNDP demining office and the security forces are doing the emergency areas such as school buildings, roads, community based building to facilitate us to.

The humanitarian de-mining is also given to the other agencies. First they are asked to do the general mine assessment and then they will identify the contaminated areas. In some areas they have completed the assessment. Now they have started the clearing the mines.

Q: What are the facilities given to these IDPs to start their livelihood like agriculture?

A: If they cultivate like in the Rice Bowl they can get Rs. 4,000 for land preparation. They will also be provided seed paddy and fertilizer. We give them machinery to clear the paddy lands.

Q: IDP issue has become an international concern where the top UN people and politicians often visit these camps. What were their reactions after visiting the camps?

A: It is true that before visiting these camps they have a very negative image but when they see the situation and the facilities given to these people, they are convinced. They are satisfied with the situation and their only concern is a speedy resettlement. They wonder how we manage such a large IDP population to a satisfactory level. Unlike other IDP camps in other countries we do not have serious issues.

Q: What are the future challenges that will emerge when sheltering these IDPs?

A: Finding funds will be the major issue. These donor agencies funded us under their emergency funds. If we are going to house these IDPs for more months there will be less commitment from the donor. Then we will face financial problems. That is why the Government wants to resettle them soon.

Q: Genuiness of some of the NGOs was questionable due to certain allegations against them earlier. What is your experience with these NGOs? Are they genuinely committed to the task?

A: What we did was all those working for the IDPs have divided into clusters. A cluster comprises the UN officials involved in IDP issue, NGOs and government departments and they are headed by myself. Each cluster needs to do an assessment about their commitment and their participation in the respective areas. Now, within that given framework they are doing well and I am monitoring their activities.

The Government is very positive that we can send all IDPs soon without a delay. But as people locally and internationally pressurise us to send people home, as responsible authorities we cannot just resettle them in their original lands.

Demining is the topmost priority. We have to ensure their safety first. If something goes wrong, the same set of people will question and point their fingers at us. Therefore, we have to send these people into a more safer places.